The McIntosh Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Washington, DC, with roots tracing back to its incorporation in New York in 1949. The foundation received its tax-exempt status in September 2014 and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization. It is a small family foundation that employs an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy, focusing on systemic change and long-term strategic investments.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$44.1M
+5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+82.2% YoY
Grant Count
13
+30.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$105K
+40.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, McIntosh Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on giving primarily for environmental conservation. The McIntosh Foundation uses an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy in an effort to seek systemic change to environmental challenges in the United States and abroad. The foundation is known for:
- Strategic support for public interest law
- Willingness to take calculated risks in grantmaking
- Capacity building approach to grant-making
- Focus on long-term approaches that seek appropriate solutions for the betterment of mankind and nature
The foundation also supports initiatives related to women and girls, and natural resources.
Grantmaking
The McIntosh Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. The foundation reviews proposals and grant requests by invitation only.
Grant Range
$4,700 to $750,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and internationally, with documented funding activity in cities including Brooklyn, London, and San Francisco.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $44,149,229
- Total Revenue: $2,042,656
- Total Expenses: $2,359,407
- Total Liabilities: $5,370
- Number of Employees: 3
Historical Context: The foundation maintains substantial assets and demonstrates consistent grantmaking activity year over year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $44,149,229 | $41,955,424 | $38,278,905 |
| Revenue | $2,042,656 | $706,554 | $27,831 |
| Expenses | $2,359,407 | $1,726,384 | $2,676,234 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,670,627 | $1,067,982 | $2,040,766 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,372,961 | $238,288 | $88,280 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,941,783 | $1,789,078 | $1,860,108 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Boat Company ($750,000), Outpost Agriculture Inc ($250,000), SportMatrix Corp ($115,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance for Justice Washington, DC | Environmental | $10,000 |
| ClientEarth | Environmental | $50,000 |
| EarthJustice SanFrancisco, CA | Environmental | $50,000 |
| Evangelicals for Democracy Fredericksburg, VA | Education | $25,000 |
| Rachel's Network Washington, DC | Philanthropy | $10,000 |
| The Boat Company Ponte Vedra, FL | Environmental | $750,000 |
| LCV Education Fund Washington, DC | Public Affairs | $25,000 |
| Open Space Institute New York, NY | Environmental | $4,670 |
| Pan Am Museum Foundation Garden City, NJ | Historical Preservation | $25,000 |
| Outpost Agriculture Inc Portland, OR | Environmental | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Winsome McIntosh – President (40 hours/week, $294,000 annual compensation)
- Colin McIntosh – Vice President, Director (40 hours/week, $187,000 annual compensation)
- Hunter McIntosh – Vice President, Director (4 hours/week, $20,000 annual compensation)
- Renee Gopal – Executive Assistant (40 hours/week, $95,000 annual compensation)
The foundation is associated with the family of William McIntosh, a Salomon Brothers investment banker. Michael McIntosh served as president from 1971 until his death in 2015.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winsome McIntosh | President | 40 | $294,244 |
| Hunter McIntosh | Vice President, Director | 4 | $20,000 |
| Colin McIntosh | Vice President, Director | 40 | $187,184 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does McIntosh Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on giving primarily for environmental conservation. The McIntosh Foundation uses an entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy in an effort to seek systemic change to environmental challenges in the United States and abroad. The foundation is known for: • Strategic support for public interest law • Willingness to take calculated risks in grantmaking • Capacity building approach to grant-making • Focus on long-term approaches that seek appropriate solutions for the…
How do I apply for a grant from McIntosh Foundation?
The McIntosh Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. The foundation reviews proposals and grant requests by invitation only. **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Made 18 grants in the most recent reporting year • Notable grant: The Boat Company received $750,000 for environmental work • Grant range: $4,700 to $750,000 • Median grant size: $25,000
Where does McIntosh Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects across multiple U.S. states and internationally, with documented funding activity in cities including Brooklyn, London, and San Francisco.
What size grants does McIntosh Foundation award?
In 2024, McIntosh Foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $105K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is McIntosh Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, McIntosh Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is McIntosh Foundation's EIN?
McIntosh Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6096459. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in McIntosh Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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