McElhattan Foundation
The McElhattan Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It makes grants in areas including workplace safety, economic development in Knox and Franklin, Pennsylvania, out-of-school-time learning, and end-of-life planning and care.
McElhattan Foundation at a glance
In short: McElhattan Foundation gave $7.7M across 105 grants in 2025 (avg $73K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 39% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,660,838
- +26.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 105
- +26.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $72,960
- -0.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $249,395,092
- +1.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (41 of 105, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (84% 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 McElhattan Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants should review the program guidelines and submit an RFI through the foundation’s grants process; a full proposal is by invitation. An inquiry is a way to share an idea, but does not itself constitute an application or guarantee consideration.
- Review Cycle
- Rolling basis; see the foundation’s materials for any program-specific deadlines.
- Deadline
- Rolling basis; see the foundation’s materials for any program-specific deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Stephanie Sweat
Mailing address: 5840 Ellsworth Avenue Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: (412) 430-0090
Email: stephanie.sweat@mcelhattan.org
Website: https://mcelhattan.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from McElhattan Foundation
McElhattan Foundation Grants
McElhattan Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
McElhattan Foundation: Economic Development in Knox & Franklin, PA
McElhattan Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
McElhattan Foundation: Ending Death on the Job Grant
McElhattan Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who McElhattan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was National Safety Council ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
435 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 230 grants of 435 (53%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated program priorities include economic development in Knox and Franklin, Pennsylvania, and out-of-school-time learning for children in Allegheny County. In 2025, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 13% to Illinois, 2% to Massachusetts, and 1% to Washington, DC; the filing also lists Texas at 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 105 itemized grants.
Cities
Is McElhattan Foundation open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 41 of 105 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $59K; repeat grants $82K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 50% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 60% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.1M (2024) to $7.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 105 grants totaling $7.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Safety Council Itasca, IL | General Support (Three Year Grant) | $1,000,000 |
| Carlow University Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $438,000 |
| Clarion County Econcomic Development Corporation Clarion, PA | General Support | $408,000 |
| United Way of Venango County Reno, PA | General Support (Multi-Year Grant) | $292,700 |
| United Way of Southwestern PA Pittsburgh, PA | General Support (Multi-Year Grant) | $250,000 |
| Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $165,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $160,000 |
| Northwest Commission Oil City, PA | General Support | $157,300 |
| Grow Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | General Support | $150,000 |
| Teach Plus Phildadelphia, PA | General Support | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with McElhattan 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 | $249,395,092 | $12,386,967 | $9,649,877 | $7,660,838 | 105 | $8,831,236 | $11,566,546 | $14,763,810 |
| 2024 | $246,565,499 | $152,882,594 | $7,550,560 | $6,080,217 | 83 | $6,888,316 | $18,188,698 | $8,595,437 |
| 2023 | $113,862,004 | $1,418,739 | $8,053,938 | $6,971,041 | 100 | $7,497,785 | $2,052,588 | $6,583,593 |
| 2022 | $120,280,311 | $4,922,440 | $8,515,175 | $7,187,310 | 86 | $7,557,508 | $4,167,409 | $7,669,423 |
| 2021 | $123,890,132 | $9,275,293 | $7,508,084 | $6,483,013 | 61 | — | $8,400,426 | $7,170,384 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, McElhattan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14.8M 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
The foundation invites bold ideas to advance its stated goals: ending death on the job, supporting economic development in Knox and Franklin, Pennsylvania, ensuring Allegheny County children have access to high-quality out-of-school-time learning, and making end-of-life suffering obsolete. Its program materials also identify expanding educator diversity as a funding category.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. The National Safety Council says its mission is to eliminate leading causes of preventable death and injury through efforts including safety education and training. Carlow University describes its work as providing educational opportunities and preparing learners to become compassionate, responsible leaders. Grow Pittsburgh says its mission is to demonstrate, teach, and promote responsible urban food production. Hosanna House says it provides opportunities to help families and individuals develop their potential.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 105 grants totaling $7,660,838. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $1,000,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest grants included $1,000,000 to the National Safety Council for general support under a three-year grant; $438,000 to Carlow University for general support; $408,000 to Clarion County Economic Development Corporation for general support; and $292,700 to United Way of Venango County for general support under a multi-year grant. Other notable grants included $250,000 to United Way of Southwestern PA, $165,000 to Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time, and $160,000 to the University of Pittsburgh.
The foundation accepts proposals on a rolling basis. Organizations begin with an eligibility review and a Request for Information questionnaire. Staff review the RFI and contact organizations; if invited, applicants submit a full proposal through the grant portal. The process may include a site visit, and successful applicants complete a grant agreement. Requested materials include a project budget, leadership résumé or profile, board list, financial statements, cash-flow information, a list of the organization’s top ten funding sources and uses for the past five years, and an audited financial statement.
The foundation states that U.S.-based nonprofits may apply, with awards restricted to its program areas. It does not fund individuals or families seeking private assistance, scholarships, lobbying, political campaigns, conferences, medical bills, or proposals outside its program priorities, among other exclusions. It generally prefers indirect costs not to exceed 10%, though exceptions may be made. Its FAQ says it is generally most receptive to requests of $50,000 or more from organizations it has worked with before and suggests that new applicants consider a smaller initial request.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kent D. McElhattan as president and director; Elaine L. Bonoma, Shirley McElhattan, Larry S. Blair, Erin McElhattan, and K. Joshua McElhattan as directors; Jim Woll as treasurer; Martha McElhattan as secretary; and Carole Bailey as executive director.
McElhattan Foundation is led by Carole Bailey, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carole Bailey
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$18K (2023) → $54K (2025)
Kent D. McElhattan
President & Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Elaine L. Bonoma
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin McElhattan
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
K. Joshua McElhattan
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry S. Blair
Director
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shirley McElhattan
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Woll
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martha McElhattan
Secretary
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lesley Carlin (2021–2023) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $54K, to Carole Bailey (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about McElhattan Foundation
How much does McElhattan Foundation give each year?
McElhattan Foundation gave $7.7M across 105 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6.1M across 83 grants.
What is McElhattan Foundation's typical grant size?
McElhattan Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $72,960, across 105 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from McElhattan Foundation that year got $59K on average.
Where does McElhattan Foundation give grants?
McElhattan Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (53 grants), Franklin, PA (10 grants), Oil City, PA (7 grants) and Knox, PA (6 grants).
Does McElhattan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 99% of McElhattan Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (104 of 105) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are McElhattan Foundation's largest grantees?
McElhattan Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include National Safety Council ($1,000,000), Carlow University ($438,000) and Clarion County Econcomic Development Corporation ($408,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is McElhattan Foundation?
McElhattan Foundation reported $249.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does McElhattan Foundation fund?
The foundation invites bold ideas to advance its stated goals: ending death on the job, supporting economic development in Knox and Franklin, Pennsylvania, ensuring Allegheny County children have access to high-quality out-of-school-time learning, and making end-of-life suffering obsolete. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from McElhattan Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is McElhattan Foundation's EIN?
McElhattan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-1756557. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in McElhattan Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). McElhattan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mcelhattan-foundation-morg_ccfed8c5bd57491196b3c4a234a2513c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_251756557_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{McElhattan Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mcelhattan-foundation-morg_ccfed8c5bd57491196b3c4a234a2513c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from McElhattan 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.
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