Robert McLean Foundation Trust
The Robert McLean Foundation Trust is a private foundation based in Springfield, New Jersey. In 2025, it gave $628,600 through 26 grants, primarily to organizations whose listed purposes were operating expenses. The foundation states that it was created by an estate, does not fundraise, and makes expenditures from investments resulting from its initial funding.
Robert McLean Foundation Trust at a glance
In short: Robert McLean Foundation Trust gave $629K across 26 grants in 2025 (avg $24K), top state New York. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $628,600
- +16.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 26
- +13.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $24,177
- +3.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,000
- Total assets
- $8,006,668
- +1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (6 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (35% 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 Robert McLean Foundation Trust
- How to Apply
-
Submit the requested written materials to the contact listed on the foundation’s filing.
- Review Cycle
- September 30 (year not specified).
- Deadline
- September 30 (year not specified).
- Contact
Application contact: John F Holzinger Jr
Mailing address: 274 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560
Phone: (973) 379-3820
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert McLean Foundation Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was New England Animal Health ($112K). Together the top 10 received $456K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 95 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in several states. The largest shares went to New York (35%) and New Jersey (27%), followed by California (12%), Connecticut (10%), and Massachusetts (9%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Robert McLean Foundation Trust open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 26 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 73% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 84% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 136% 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 $301K (2021) to $629K (2025). In 2025 it made 26 grants totaling $629K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New England Animal Health Brightwaters, NY | Operating Expenses | $111,600 |
| The Seeing Eye Morristown, NJ | Operating Expenses | $80,000 |
| Ocean Alliance Gloucester, MA | Operating Expenses | $58,500 |
| Paws for Life K9 Rescue Thousand Oakes, CA | Operating Expenses | $50,000 |
| Animal Nation Rye, NY | Operating Expenses | $33,000 |
| Eleventh Hour Rescue Rockaway, NJ | Operating Expenses | $25,000 |
| Best Friends Anial Society Kanab, UT | Operating Expenses | $25,000 |
| Pasadena Humane Society Pasadena, CA | Operating Expenses | $25,000 |
| Friends of Karen Inc North Salen, NY | Operating Expenses | $24,000 |
| The Pound Animal Welfare Society of Montclair Montclair, NJ | Operating Expenses | $23,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Robert McLean Foundation Trust?
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 | $8,006,668 | $1,000,006 | $754,896 | $628,600 | 26 | $657,633 | $907,743 | $484,152 |
| 2024 | $7,862,796 | $415,485 | $690,986 | $537,800 | 23 | $543,877 | $328,889 | $466,959 |
| 2023 | $8,138,264 | $972,913 | $511,416 | $406,500 | 18 | $431,159 | $898,181 | $423,468 |
| 2022 | $7,678,957 | $148,001 | $417,193 | $342,000 | 12 | $465,805 | $171,272 | $450,412 |
| 2021 | $7,948,456 | $295,913 | $367,821 | $301,000 | 16 | $393,698 | $246,729 | $465,640 |
| 2020 | $8,020,336 | $242,684 | $598,697 | $529,000 | 18 | — | $193,590 | $448,383 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert McLean Foundation Trust reported a distributable amount of $484K 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 does not state a mission in the available information. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including animal welfare and rescue, marine-mammal research and education, support for children with life-threatening illnesses, and community library services.
Grantees describe their work in their own terms. Ocean Alliance says it conducts scientific research on marine mammals and education. Animal Nation describes its work as rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption for wild, domestic, and farmed animals. Friends of Karen says it provides emotional, financial, and advocacy support for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Bill Memorial Library describes its mission as meeting community needs through resources for lifelong learning, services for young patrons, and online access.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 26 grants totaling $628,600. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $111,600, with a median of $16,000. The largest awards included New England Animal Health ($111,600), The Seeing Eye ($80,000), Ocean Alliance ($58,500), and PAWS for Life K9 Rescue ($50,000). Other notable grants included Animal Nation ($33,000), Eleventh Hour Rescue ($25,000), Best Friends Animal Society ($25,000), and Pasadena Humane Society ($25,000). The listed purpose for these grants was operating expenses.
The foundation states that it does not limit giving to preselected organizations. It requests a written submission summarizing the organization’s purpose, the reason for the request, board members, and tax identification number. Awards are restricted to charitable organizations supported by Robert D. McLean during his lifetime or by the foundation’s trustees.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following trustees: John F. Holzinger Jr., Anne Vandyke, Kathleen Hamilton, and Laura Mamadopolous.
Robert McLean Foundation Trust's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Anne Vandyke
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $14K (2025)
John F. Holzinger Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Kathleen Hamilton
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$125K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Laura Mamadopolous
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$15K (2020) → $14K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $14K, to John F Holzinger Jr (Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert McLean Foundation Trust
How much does Robert McLean Foundation Trust give each year?
Robert McLean Foundation Trust gave $629K across 26 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $538K across 23 grants.
What is Robert McLean Foundation Trust's typical grant size?
Robert McLean Foundation Trust's median grant in 2025 was $16,000, and its average grant was $24,177, across 26 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert McLean Foundation Trust that year got $35K on average.
Where does Robert McLean Foundation Trust give grants?
Robert McLean Foundation Trust's top state is New York, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New Jersey (27%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Montclair, NJ (2 grants) and Groton, CT (2 grants).
Does Robert McLean Foundation Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Robert McLean Foundation Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert McLean Foundation Trust's largest grantees?
Robert McLean Foundation Trust's largest 2025 grantees include New England Animal Health ($111,600), The Seeing Eye ($80,000) and Ocean Alliance ($58,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert McLean Foundation Trust?
Robert McLean Foundation Trust reported $8.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $658K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $484K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Robert McLean Foundation Trust fund?
The foundation does not state a mission in the available information. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including animal welfare and rescue, marine-mammal research and education, support for children with life-threatening illnesses, and community library services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert McLean Foundation Trust?
Submit the requested written materials to the contact listed on the foundation’s filing. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert McLean Foundation Trust's EIN?
Robert McLean Foundation Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-7026896. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Robert McLean Foundation Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Robert McLean Foundation Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert McLean Foundation Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-mclean-foundation-trust-morg_c60dba329da747809e49413f14af964b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_467026896_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert McLean Foundation Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-mclean-foundation-trust-morg_c60dba329da747809e49413f14af964b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Robert McLean Foundation Trust'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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