McDougal Foundation
The McDougal Foundation is a private foundation based in Denver, Colorado. In 2025, it reported giving $35,750 through 10 grants to charitable organizations, with listed grants supporting areas including wildlife conservation, health, human rights, homelessness and addiction services, and the arts.
McDougal Foundation at a glance
In short: McDougal Foundation gave $36K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), top state Colorado. 40% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,750
- +19.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,575
- +19.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,050
- Total assets
- $348,727
- +2.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 40% first-time grantees (4 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Colorado (44% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to McDougal Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 600 Josephine Street, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (303) 534-5175
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who McDougal Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nepal Tiger Conservancy ($6K). Together the top 10 received $36K.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 48 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Colorado (44%), Minnesota (17%), California (17%), New York (16%), and Washington, DC (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is McDougal Foundation open to new grantees?
40%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 10 grantees (40%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 60% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 104% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2021) to $36K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $36K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal Tiger Conservancy Saint Paul, MN | Save the tiger from extinction | $6,000 |
| Fund for the Tiger Woodacre, CA | Save the tiger from extinction | $6,000 |
| Denver Zoo Denver, CO | Wildlife conservation | $5,000 |
| La Cache Denver, CO | Advocate for child health in public policy | $4,000 |
| ACLU New York, NY | Safeguarding & extending human rights & freedom | $3,100 |
| Rocky Mtn Planned Parenthood Denver, CO | Provide reproductive & sexual health care | $3,000 |
| Amnesty International Washington, DC | Fight abuse of human rights | $2,500 |
| Ehlers-Danlos Society New York, NY | Advocacy & research for EDS and HSD | $2,500 |
| Denver Drean Center Denver, CO | Provide services for homelessnes & addiction | $2,000 |
| Denver Art Museum Denver, CO | Enrich lives thru acquis & preservation of art | $1,650 |
Ready to take the next step with McDougal Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $348,727 | $47,201 | $37,445 | $35,750 | 10 | $36,825 | $47,201 | $35,386 |
| 2024 | $338,971 | $20,891 | $32,499 | $30,000 | 10 | $31,914 | $20,891 | $31,285 |
| 2023 | $350,579 | $41,277 | $30,142 | $29,000 | 10 | $29,950 | $41,277 | $29,812 |
| 2022 | $339,444 | $14,007 | $29,195 | $29,000 | 9 | $29,000 | $14,007 | $30,637 |
| 2021 | $354,632 | $12,405 | $27,728 | $27,000 | 9 | $27,550 | $12,405 | $27,342 |
| 2020 | $369,955 | $12,828 | $30,838 | $30,000 | 9 | — | $12,828 | $27,078 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, McDougal Foundation reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for tiger conservation, wildlife conservation, child health policy advocacy, reproductive and sexual health care, human rights, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders advocacy and research, services related to homelessness and addiction, and art acquisition and preservation.
The Ehlers-Danlos Society describes its own mission as advancing research and education in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders, supporting development of effective and equitable therapies, and improving the lives of people affected by those conditions. The Denver Art Museum’s mission is not stated in the supplied information.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $35,750. Grants ranged from $1,650 to $6,000, with a median of $3,050.
Notable 2025 grants included $6,000 each to Nepal Tiger Conservancy and Fund for the Tiger for saving tigers from extinction; $5,000 to Denver Zoo for wildlife conservation; $4,000 to La Cache for child health policy advocacy; and $3,100 to ACLU for safeguarding and extending human rights and freedom. Other reported grants were $3,000 to Rocky Mtn Planned Parenthood, $2,500 each to Amnesty International and the Ehlers-Danlos Society, $2,000 to Denver Drean Center, and $1,650 to Denver Art Museum.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Neil Schaefer as Executive Director; R Scott McDougal, Robin Schaefer, and Bowen McDougal as trustees.
McDougal Foundation is led by Neil Schaefer, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Neil Schaefer
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
R Scott McDougal
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Schaefer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bowen McDougal
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about McDougal Foundation
How much does McDougal Foundation give each year?
McDougal Foundation gave $36K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $30K across 10 grants.
What is McDougal Foundation's typical grant size?
McDougal Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,050, and its average grant was $3,575, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from McDougal Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does McDougal Foundation give grants?
McDougal Foundation's top state is Colorado, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Minnesota (17%) and California (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Denver, CO (5 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does McDougal Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on McDougal Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are McDougal Foundation's largest grantees?
McDougal Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Nepal Tiger Conservancy ($6,000), Fund for the Tiger ($6,000) and Denver Zoo ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is McDougal Foundation?
McDougal Foundation reported $349K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $37K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does McDougal Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from McDougal Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is McDougal Foundation's EIN?
McDougal Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0580088. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does McDougal Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in McDougal Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Miramar Charitable Foundation
Ft Mitchell, KY
Miramar Charitable Foundation funds preselected charitable organizations across areas including arts, survivor support, education, science, and journalism, with grants to recipients in multiple states; in 2024, the largest shares went to Colorado, North Carolina, California, New York, and Florida. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $1 million, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$32.5M
Grants
188
Total Given
$4.5M
Vyuha Inc
Miami Beach, FL
Vyuha Inc. supports qualified public charities chosen by members of the Vohra employee and partner community, across areas including health, education, arts, environment, and international aid. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $50,000, with a median of $15,000, and went to organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It says it does not currently require an application form for consideration.
Assets
$14.5M
Grants
66
Total Given
$1.0M
The Louis Messer and Helen Messer Charitable Foundation C/O M Glasser
Potomac, MD
The Louis Messer and Helen Messer supports preselected charitable organizations working in areas including health care, gender equality, civil liberties, immigrant rights, humanitarian aid, animal welfare, and military-family support, with grants mainly going to recipients in Maryland and Washington, DC. In 2023, grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $4,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
14
Total Given
$72K
Elizabeth Ring Mather
Cleveland, OH
Elizabeth Ring Mather supports qualifying organizations in areas represented by its grants, including arts and culture, education, health care, conservation, and social services. In 2024, it made 105 grants totaling $1.093 million; awards ranged from $1,000 to $125,000, with a median of $5,000. Grants are not geographically limited but generally go to organizations in Cleveland and places where trustees reside; the foundation accepts applications by letter and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$22.2M
Grants
105
Total Given
$1.1M
The Sachs Family Foundation
Rydal, PA
The Sachs Family Foundation supports preselected charitable organizations, with 2024 grants spanning arts, health, education, and hunger relief; most funding went to Pennsylvania recipients, followed by New York. It awarded 16 grants totaling $250,000, ranging from $1,500 to $113,000, with a median of $5,000, and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.0M
Grants
16
Total Given
$250K
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Colorado
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from McDougal Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
McDougal Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?