Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation
The Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Foundation is a private foundation based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its website describes support for cancer and medical research, education, the arts, and community-based organizations that serve the health, education, and well-being of communities where the MacMillans live and work.
Key facts about Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation
In short: Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation gave $1.6M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $36K), mostly in Minnesota. 11% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 26-2162073
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,623,550
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- Average grant
- $36,079
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (4 of 36, 2024)
- Total assets
- $13,424,355
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (67% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- 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. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.4M
+2.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
-22.4% YoY
Grant Count
45
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-22.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $981K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 36 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 59% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 168% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website states that its mission is to support organizations that strengthen and enrich society through cancer and medical research, education, and the arts, as well as community grants. Its stated research priorities include cancer research and health equity; its education priorities include student outcomes in under-resourced New York City and New Jersey communities; and its arts funding includes infrastructure, capacity-building, and arts education.
The 2024 grants included support for arts organizations, youth services, food relief, and community programs. For example, the Guthrie Theater Foundation describes its mission as engaging theater artists in classic and contemporary plays and connecting its community; Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County says it aims to help young people reach their potential; and Second Harvest Heartland says its mission is to end hunger together.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 45 grants totaling $1,623,550. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $5,000. Notable grants included $500,000 to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for “The Harvest Roman Countryside - Oil on Canvas”; $250,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Martin County for the Hobe Sound Project; $250,000 to the Guthrie Theater Foundation, unrestricted; and $100,000 each to Second Harvest Heartland, unrestricted, and the Guthrie Theater Foundation, unrestricted.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website says organizations may submit a brief survey about a program or project aligned with its goals and current priorities.
Ready to take the next step with Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 67% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota and 33% to recipients in Florida. The foundation’s website also identifies education priorities in under-resourced communities in New York City and New Jersey.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.0M (2021) to $2.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 45 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Minneapolis Institute of Arts ($550K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
198 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 173 grants of 198 (87%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis Institute of Arts Minneapolis, MN | The Harvest Roman Countryside - Oil on Canvas | $500,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Martin County Hobe Sound, FL | Hobe Sound Project | $250,000 |
| Guthrie Theater Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Unrestricted | $250,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Martin County Palm Beach, FL | Housing | $100,000 |
| Second Harvest Heartland St. Paul, MN | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Guthrie Theater Foundation Minneapolis, MN | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Martin County Palm Beach, FL | Annual Giving | $75,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Martin County Palm Beach, FL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Hobe Sound Community Chest Inc Hobe Sound, FL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Minneapolis Institute of Arts Minneapolis, MN | 2024 Gala Support | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,424,355 | $2,533,465 | $2,266,720 | $1,623,550 |
| 2023 | $13,157,610 | $2,544,978 | $2,800,997 | $2,091,950 |
| 2022 | $13,413,629 | $1,069,379 | $2,829,562 | $2,357,675 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,424,355 | $13,157,610 | $13,413,629 |
| Revenue | $2,533,465 | $2,544,978 | $1,069,379 |
| Expenses | $2,266,720 | $2,800,997 | $2,829,562 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,643,416 | $2,103,483 | $2,372,755 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,887,322 | $1,872,570 | $719,394 |
| Distributable Amount | $980,631 | $991,399 | $1,047,488 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nivin S. MacMillan as president, Steven A. Hornig as secretary, Michella L. Johnson as director, and Sarah C. Schaeffer as treasurer. The foundation’s website identifies Duncan MacMillan as chairman, Nancy MacMillan as president, and Arlene Shuler as executive director.
Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation is led by Nivin S. Macmillan, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nivin S. Macmillan
President
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michella L. Johnson
Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven A. Hornig
Secretary
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah C. Schaeffer
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 5628, Minneapolis, MN 55440-5628
Phone: (952) 674-2800
Website: https://macmillanff.org
Frequently asked questions about Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation
How much does Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation give each year?
Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation gave $1.6M across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 45 grants.
What is Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation's typical grant size?
Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $36,079, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation give grants?
Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (33%). The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (12 grants), Hobe Sound, FL (6 grants), St. Paul, MN (5 grants) and Palm Beach, FL (3 grants).
Does Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 84% of Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 45) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation's largest grantees?
Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Minneapolis Institute of Arts ($550,000 across 3 grants), Boys & Girls Club of Martin County ($455,000 across 5 grants) and Guthrie Theater Foundation ($350,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation?
Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation reported $13.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $981K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website states that its mission is to support organizations that strengthen and enrich society through cancer and medical research, education, and the arts, as well as community grants. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nivin and Duncan Macmillan 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 Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation's EIN?
Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2162073. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Nivin and Duncan Macmillan 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 October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Nivin and Duncan Macmillan Foundation by hand.
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