The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $55K. Net investment income was $31K.
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation at a glance
In short: The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation gave $55K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), top state North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $55,000
- +50.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- -12.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,857
- +72.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,164,952
- -4.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (49% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Davidson College ($27K). Together the top 7 received $55K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation gives
- Giving grew 29% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $34K (2023) to $74K (2019). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $55K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson College Davidson, NC | General Operating Fund | $27,000 |
| Northwestern University Evanson, IL | Religious Life | $7,500 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operations and Middle East Music Ensemble | $7,500 |
| University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Staibdance Boston, MA | General Operations | $3,500 |
| Bravo Waukegan Lake Forest, IL | General Operations | $3,000 |
| Bates Dance Festival Lewiston, ME | General Operations | $1,500 |
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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 | $1,164,952 | $11,153 | $70,166 | $55,000 | 7 | $67,952 | $31,108 | $61,178 |
| 2024 | $1,223,964 | $97,282 | $50,571 | $36,500 | 8 | $49,309 | $97,060 | $59,523 |
| 2023 | $1,177,252 | $39,474 | $35,471 | $34,000 | 3 | $34,432 | $38,435 | $59,316 |
| 2022 | $1,173,386 | $34,081 | $51,599 | $42,500 | 2 | $49,999 | $33,093 | $60,005 |
| 2021 | $1,190,850 | $38,430 | $76,321 | $65,000 | 2 | $75,116 | $37,260 | $67,459 |
| 2020 | $1,228,872 | $31,023 | $60,976 | $59,500 | 2 | — | $30,536 | $63,693 |
| 2019 | $1,258,825 | $43,775 | $86,957 | $73,500 | 6 | — | $42,065 | $64,490 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation reported a distributable amount of $61K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation is led by Margaret C. Vail, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Margaret C. Vail
President & Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James D. Vail IV
Exe Vice President, Secretary, Ast Secretary & Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James D. Vail V
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John F. Vail
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation
How much does The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation give each year?
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation gave $55K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $37K across 8 grants.
What is The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's typical grant size?
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,857, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation give grants?
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's top state is North Carolina, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (33%) and Pennsylvania (9%).
Does The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's largest grantees?
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Davidson College ($27,000), Northwestern University ($7,500) and University of Chicago ($7,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation?
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $68K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $61K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's EIN?
The Foster G McGaw Educational Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3131160. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 29, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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