The McAlister Foundation
The McAlister Foundation is a private foundation based in Laurens, South Carolina. Its reported giving includes higher education scholarships and support for local organizations and services, including a church, YMCAs, hospice care, and housing assistance.
The McAlister Foundation at a glance
In short: The McAlister Foundation gave $481K across 18 grants in 2026 (avg $27K), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $481,222
- +8.2% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 18
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $26,735
- +8.2% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $7,611,067
- +1.9% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026.
How to apply to The McAlister Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: A Dial Mcalister Jr
Mailing address: 330 Church Street, Laurens, SC 29360
Phone: (864) 984-0581
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The McAlister Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 66 grants of 80 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in South Carolina. Listed awards included organizations in Laurens and Clinton.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The McAlister Foundation gives
- Giving grew 20% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 134% 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 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $325K (2022) to $481K (2026). In 2026 it made 18 grants totaling $481K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 18 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $481,222 |
Ready to take the next step with The McAlister Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $7,611,067 | $565,764 | $527,120 | $481,222 | 18 | $487,022 | $537,641 | $363,881 |
| 2025 | $7,469,346 | $222,918 | $482,228 | $444,740 | 18 | $450,840 | $194,179 | $350,501 |
| 2024 | $6,873,804 | $130,866 | $457,438 | $424,337 | 16 | $430,937 | $126,492 | $343,538 |
| 2023 | $6,608,348 | $266,843 | $435,047 | $400,585 | 15 | $406,985 | $242,598 | $335,757 |
| 2022 | $7,163,368 | $730,410 | $375,720 | $324,685 | 13 | $330,385 | $694,681 | $359,944 |
| 2021 | $7,845,771 | $-282,863 | $360,933 | $326,429 | 11 | — | $85,134 | $341,879 |
| 2020 | $6,090,731 | $172,848 | $447,019 | $414,576 | 9 | — | $147,277 | $311,482 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The McAlister Foundation reported a distributable amount of $364K for 2026 — 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 own filings identify scholarships for higher education, support for First United Methodist Church of Laurens’s general budget, and public recreation through the Laurens Family YMCA as charitable activities.
Its 2025 grants also supported organizations addressing other needs. Hospice of Laurens County describes its mission as providing physical, spiritual, and emotional comfort to patients and families dealing with terminal illness. An individual recipient describes a focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of poor and homeless people. Habitat for Humanity says it seeks to eliminate poverty housing and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. The Children’s Museum says its mission is to broaden children’s awareness and teach problem-solving through creative and scientific exploration.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $444,740. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $190,240, with a median grant of $6,000. The largest awards included $190,240 for higher education scholarships, $65,000 to First United Methodist Church for church operations, and $65,000 to Laurens Family YMCA for local YMCA operations. Other notable grants included $30,000 to Hospice of Laurens County, $20,000 to an individual recipient for housing for low-income seniors, and $20,000 to Clinton Family YMCA for local YMCA operations. Its 2026 filing, the latest on this page, reports 18 grants totaling $481,222.
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications should be submitted in writing and specify the type of need. The filing lists no restrictions on awards and names no application deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Albert D McAlister Jr Trustee, Albert D McAlister Sr Trustee, James A Coleman Trustee, Katie M Forsyth Trustee, and Camille McAlister as directors.
The McAlister Foundation's 2026 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
James A. Coleman Trustee
Director
On filings since 2020
$500 (2020) → $0 (2026)
Katie M. Forsyth Trustee
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$500 (2020) → $0 (2026)
Camille McAlister
Director
On filings since 2023
$500 (2024) → $0 (2026)
ALBERT D MCALISTER Sr TRUSTEE
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Donald D. McAlister Trustee (2020–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "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 $500, to James a Coleman Trustee (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The McAlister Foundation
How much does The McAlister Foundation give each year?
The McAlister Foundation gave $481K across 18 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $445K across 18 grants.
What is The McAlister Foundation's typical grant size?
The McAlister Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $7,500, and its average grant was $26,735, across 18 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The McAlister Foundation give grants?
The McAlister Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The McAlister Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on The McAlister Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is The McAlister Foundation?
The McAlister Foundation reported $7.6M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $487K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $364K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The McAlister Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own filings identify scholarships for higher education, support for First United Methodist Church of Laurens’s general budget, and public recreation through the Laurens Family YMCA as charitable activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The McAlister Foundation?
The McAlister Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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 2020–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The McAlister Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The McAlister Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Laurens County Fair Foundation
Laurens, SC
The foundation supports South Carolina organizations working in areas such as family assistance, food, health, youth prevention, education, camping, and community programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $15,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
15
Total Given
$96K
Wateree Floodlands Memorial Forest
Camden, SC
Wateree Floodlands Memorial Forest supports charitable organizations, including churches, humanitarian groups, and animal-rescue efforts; its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $10,000, with a median of $5,000. Recent grants went to organizations in Tennessee, New York, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Colorado. It accepts written applications with a statement of charitable purpose and proof of tax-exempt status.
Assets
$1.3M
Grants
10
Total Given
$67K
Columbus Area United Way Inc
Columbus, NE
Columbus Area United Way funds charitable organizations and human-service programs focused on education, health, financial stability, and community needs in Boone, Colfax, Platte, and Nance counties. Typical grant amounts are not provided, and recent filings report no grants; the website offers an online application, but whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$4.1M
Grants
11
Total Given
$337K
Meredith Corporation Foundation
Des Moines, IA
The foundation funds education, human services for families and children at risk, and arts and culture, with particular interest in arts groups reaching broader audiences. Recent grants were all in Iowa and ranged from $10,000 to $315,000, with a median of $12,500. It accepts written requests during January 15–March 15 and July 15–September 15; telephone requests are not accepted.
Assets
$24.6M
Grants
12
Total Given
$600K
The Miller Family Foundation Inc
Ellicott City, MD
The Miller Family Foundation supports charitable organizations, including churches and community nonprofits, primarily in Maryland, where 90% of its 2025 grant dollars went. Its 2025 awards ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median grant of $3,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$2.4M
Grants
14
Total Given
$179K
More similar funders
More Funders in South Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The McAlister Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-mcalister-foundation-morg_e0fc77a7fda442b29db90b3f0793c2f8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_571112302_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The McAlister Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-mcalister-foundation-morg_e0fc77a7fda442b29db90b3f0793c2f8},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-03. 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 The McAlister Foundation'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.
The McAlister Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?