The McAlister Foundation is a private non-operating foundation established in 2000 and based in Laurens, South Carolina. The organization holds 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and operates as a charitable trust focused on philanthropic grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.5M
+8.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$445K
+4.8% YoY
Grant Count
18
+12.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
-6.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Mcalister Foundation reported a distributable amount of $351K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides funding for scholarships and supports charitable causes. Primary funding interests include:
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Community Improvement & Capacity Building
- Educational initiatives
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in South Carolina, with a particular emphasis on the Laurens area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $7,469,346 (as of most recent filing)
- Total Annual Giving: $444,740
- Tax-Exempt Status: Unconditional exemption granted March 2002
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,469,346 | $6,873,804 | $6,608,348 |
| Revenue | $222,918 | $130,866 | $266,843 |
| Expenses | $482,228 | $457,438 | $435,047 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $450,840 | $430,937 | $406,985 |
| Net Investment Income | $194,179 | $126,492 | $242,598 |
| Distributable Amount | $350,501 | $343,538 | $335,757 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
73 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Scholarships - See Attached Sch ($190,240), First United Methodist Church ($65,000), Laurens Family Ymca ($65,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Laurens, SC | FOR CHURCH OPERATIONS | $65,000 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD FREE CLINIC Clinton, SC | FREE MEDICAL CARE | $2,000 |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Laurens, SC | AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES | $5,000 |
| HOSPICE OF LAURENS COUNTY Clinton, SC | QUALITY OF LIFE FOR DYING PATIENTS | $30,000 |
| LAURENS CITY CEMETERY Laurens, SC | FOR PERPETUAL CEMETERY MAINTENANCE | $2,000 |
| LAURENS CO BAPTIST CRISIS CENTER Laurens, SC | FOOD AND CLOTHING FOR NEEDY FAMILIES | $5,000 |
| LAURENS COUNTY FUTURE SCHOLARS Clinton, SC | TO ASSIST NEEDY STUDENTS WITH TUITION | $10,000 |
| LAURENS CO MEMORIAL HOME Laurens, SC | HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS | $20,000 |
| LAURENS COUNTY MUSEUM Laurens, SC | COUNTY MUSEUM OPERATIONS | $7,500 |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF LAURENS COUNTY Laurens, SC | AID TO FAMILIES IN CRISIS | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Paul W. McAlister is listed as a key contact for the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALBERT D MCALISTER Jr TRUSTEE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ALBERT D MCALISTER SR TRUSTEE | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JAMES A COLEMAN TRUSTEE | DIRECTOR | — | $500 |
| KATIE M FORSYTH TRUSTEE | DIRECTOR | 2 | $500 |
| CAMILLE MCALISTER | DIRECTOR | — | $500 |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 247, 330 Church Street, Laurens, SC 29360-0247
- Phone: 864-984-0581
- EIN: 57-1112302
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Mcalister Foundation fund?
The foundation provides funding for scholarships and supports charitable causes. Primary funding interests include: • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Community Improvement & Capacity Building • Educational initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from The Mcalister Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $75,000. **Recent Giving Activity:** The foundation distributed $444,740 in total grants according to the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2025). **Sample Grants:** Recent grants have supported: • First United Methodist Church of Laurens for General Budget ($65,000) • Laurens Family YMCA for Public Recreation ($65,000) • Hospice of Laurens County ($30,000)
Where does The Mcalister Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in South Carolina, with a particular emphasis on the Laurens area.
What size grants does The Mcalister Foundation award?
In 2025, The Mcalister Foundation awarded 18 grants totaling $445K — an average of about $25K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Mcalister Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Mcalister Foundation reported a distributable amount of $351K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Mcalister Foundation's EIN?
The Mcalister Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 57-1112302. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Mcalister 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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