Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell is a private foundation based in Saint Albans, Missouri. Its 2025 filing reports 53 grants totaling $533,900 to charitable organizations.
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell at a glance
In short: Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell gave $534K across 53 grants in 2025 (avg $10K), mostly in Missouri. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $533,900
- +10.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 53
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,074
- +10.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $11,537,695
- +9.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 53, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Missouri (55% 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 Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists Constance E Oberhaus as the application contact. It specifies no application form or materials, and no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None specified.
- Deadline
- None specified.
- Contact
Application contact: Constance E Oberhaus
Mailing address: PO Box 110, Saint Albans, MO 63073
Phone: (636) 387-3134
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Characterorg ($100K). Together the top 10 received $353K.
Grant Size Distribution
256 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 242 grants of 256 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 55% of grant dollars went to recipients in Missouri, 19% to Virginia, 12% to New Mexico, 3% to Texas, and 3% to Colorado. The remaining share went to recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 53 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 96% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 56% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $248K (2021) to $534K (2025). In 2025 it made 53 grants totaling $534K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Characterorg Sterling, VA | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $100,000 |
| Characterplus St. Louis, MO | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $67,500 |
| University of New Mexico Foundation Albuquerque, NM | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $55,000 |
| University of Missouri-St Louis St. Louis, MO | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $43,500 |
| Salvation Army St. Louis, MO | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $25,000 |
| Mighty Oaks Foundation Montgomery, TX | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $17,000 |
| Opera Theatre of Saint Louis St. Louis, MO | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $15,000 |
| Focus on the Family Colorado Springs, CO | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $10,000 |
| Missouri Historical Society St. Louis, MO | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $10,000 |
| National Museum of Transportation St. Louis, MO | For General Charitable Purposes of the Organization | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell?
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 | $11,537,695 | $288,498 | $618,087 | $533,900 | 53 | $549,218 | $231,841 | $533,361 |
| 2024 | $10,550,045 | $512,026 | $567,013 | $481,600 | 53 | $499,925 | $447,843 | $495,733 |
| 2023 | $9,427,646 | $280,529 | $391,693 | $328,550 | 52 | $345,778 | $234,863 | $427,270 |
| 2022 | $8,177,709 | $328,249 | $414,800 | $341,950 | 49 | $360,219 | $266,869 | $446,309 |
| 2021 | $10,277,279 | $377,896 | $314,967 | $248,150 | 49 | $265,006 | $328,935 | $466,635 |
| 2020 | $8,831,094 | $350,484 | $496,362 | $439,150 | 48 | — | $115,704 | $390,273 |
| 2019 | $8,046,904 | $190,665 | $435,651 | $376,000 | 59 | — | $133,378 | $372,548 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell reported a distributable amount of $533K 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’s filings do not state a mission. Its grant recipients’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations it supported in 2025. CharacterPlus describes its work as promoting positive character development in young people through partnerships with schools, families, and communities. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis describes a mission centered on opera, artists, and making the art form accessible and inclusive. The National Museum of Transportation says it protects and interprets North American transportation heritage through educational programs, exhibits, and conservation.
Other 2025 recipients include the University of New Mexico Foundation, which describes its work as building support and partnerships for the University of New Mexico; Mighty Oaks Foundation, which focuses on combat trauma and family support for returning veterans and first responders; and the Missouri Historical Society, whose stated functions include educational and community programs, collections, research, and exhibitions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 53 grants totaling $533,900. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $5,000. Among its largest grants were $100,000 to CHARACTERORG, $67,500 to CharacterPlus, $55,000 to the University of New Mexico Foundation, $43,500 to the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and $25,000 to the Salvation Army. Each was listed for the recipient’s general charitable purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robbin M MacVittie as president; William S MacVittie as vice president; Constance E Oberhaus as secretary and treasurer; and Caroline B Blydenburgh and W Randall McDonnell as directors.
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell is led by Robbin M. Macvittie, President on every filing since 2022; all 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robbin M. Macvittie
President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Caroline B. Blydenburgh
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $2K (2025)
W. Randall McDonnell
Director
Vice President → President, 2020
President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$2K (2019) → $2K (2025)
Constance E. Oberhaus
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$9K (2019) → $2K (2025)
William S. Macvittie
Vice President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Robbin M. Mac Vittie (2019–2021) — President
- Former: William S. Mac Vittie (2019–2021) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $2K, to Robbin M Macvittie (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell
How much does Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell give each year?
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell gave $534K across 53 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $482K across 53 grants.
What is Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell's typical grant size?
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $10,074, across 53 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell that year got $3K on average.
Where does Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell give grants?
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell gives mostly in Missouri: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Virginia (19%) and New Mexico (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (28 grants), Albuquerque, NM (2 grants) and Sunapee, NH (2 grants).
Does Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (53 of 53) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell's largest grantees?
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell's largest 2025 grantees include Characterorg ($100,000), Characterplus ($67,500) and University of New Mexico Foundation ($55,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell?
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell reported $11.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $549K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $533K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell fund?
The foundation’s filings do not state a mission. Its grant recipients’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations it supported in 2025. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell?
The filing lists Constance E Oberhaus as the application contact. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell's EIN?
Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1104889. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 22, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 3, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mr-and-mrs-sanford-n-mcdonnell-morg_901c8b5e5c594f728960ef36132e043f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_431104889_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mr \& Mrs Sanford N McDonnell funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mr-and-mrs-sanford-n-mcdonnell-morg_901c8b5e5c594f728960ef36132e043f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Mr & Mrs Sanford N McDonnell'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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