The McConnell Foundation is an independent private foundation located in Redding, California. Established in 1965, it operates as a broad-based funder awarding grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public education, and government entities. The Foundation does not accept applications from individuals or for-profit businesses.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$434.9M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.6M
+19.1% YoY
Grant Count
129
-2.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$90K
+21.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The McConnell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The McConnell Foundation's mission is helping build better communities through philanthropy.
Core Values: The Foundation values working in partnership to build better communities, excellence and integrity, long-term planning, responsible and respectful collaboration, and creative and entrepreneurial strategies.
Sustainability Commitment: The Foundation commits to making responsible choices in purchasing and use of products and materials to protect and enhance the environment.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Children, Youth & Education
- Community Vitality (with downtown Redding revitalization as a primary focus)
- Healthy Communities
- Scholarships
- Recreation
- Arts & Culture
- Social Services
- Wildfire Mitigation
Since beginning active grantmaking in 1988, the Foundation has awarded more than $270,300,000 across these focus areas.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$75 - $1,601,240
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily funds organizations located in:
- Modoc County
- Shasta County
- Siskiyou County
- Tehama County
- Trinity Counties
These counties comprise rural Northern California, referred to as the North State region.
International Grantmaking: The Foundation began international grantmaking in 1999 in Nepal and expanded to Laos in 2006.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $420,547,459
- Total Revenue: $29,297,321
- Total Expenses: $27,440,794
- Total Liabilities: $10.7 Million
- Giving Rate: 6.1%
Funding Source: The Foundation is a private foundation with an endowment created by Carl R. and Leah F. McConnell. It does not receive tax dollars or public funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $434,935,449 | $420,547,459 | $410,662,599 |
| Revenue | $55,481,245 | $29,297,321 | $43,915,723 |
| Expenses | $32,364,105 | $27,440,794 | $30,961,566 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $32,158,592 | $25,318,757 | $30,370,759 |
| Net Investment Income | $40,569,080 | $12,815,303 | $27,792,056 |
| Distributable Amount | $26,978,441 | $28,283,396 | $27,275,962 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include College OPTIONS Inc ($350,000), California State Grange Foundation ($250,000), Mahila Shakti Bikash Kendra Nepal (MSBKN) ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Acorn Community Enterprises Montgomery Creek, CA | general support | $1,800 |
| Advance Redding Redding, CA | Civic Auditorium Lighting | $150,000 |
| Advance Redding Redding, CA | Sundial Bridge Celebrate 20 | $61,250 |
| Anderson Historical Society and Museum Anderson, CA | In-kind donation of Antique Wagon | $2,500 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | 2021 McConnell Scholars | $6,600 |
| Ascend Wilderness Experience Weaverville, CA | Promote and sustain Ascend activities. | $375 |
| Axiom Repertory Theatre Redding, CA | Sponsor Shakespeare play "As You Like It" | $3,000 |
| Boston Conservatory at Berklee Boston, MA | 2021 McConnell Scholars | $5,000 |
| Boy Scouts Of America Golden Empire Council Sacramento, CA | (047) FS24 - Friends of Scouting 2024, Northern Rivers - Community | $900 |
| Butte Community College Oroville, CA | 2023 ($20,000) & 2024 ($3,750) McConnell Scholars | $23,750 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Eva Jimenez – Chair of the Board
- John A Mancasola – President & CEO
- Shannon Phillips – Chief Operating Officer
- Lee W Salter – Treasurer
- William W Cox – Secretary
- Pamela Newman – Director
The Foundation employs 27 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has demonstrated ongoing commitment to its core programs, with 2023 grantmaking showing significant support for local institutions. Notable recent grants include substantial support to Turtle Bay Exploration Park ($1,601,240 in 2023) for operating support and sustainability gardens site maintenance.
Grantseekers - McConnell FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The McConnell Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The McConnell Foundation's mission is helping build better communities through philanthropy. **Core Values:** The Foundation values working in partnership to build better communities, excellence and integrity, long-term planning, responsible and respectful collaboration, and creative and entrepreneurial strategies. **Sustainability Commitment:** The Foundation commits to making responsible choices in purchasing and use of products and materials to protect and enhance the environmen…
How do I apply for a grant from The McConnell Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total grants awarded: 181 • Total giving: $25,318,757 • Grant range: $75 - $1,601,240 • Median grant amount: $5,960 **Grant Programs:** • General Support (average $2,543, 26 recipients) • McConnell Scholars Program (multiple cohorts: 2019-2022, averaging $5,625-$9,481 per recipient) • Food Donations (average $5,850, 11 recipients) **Scholarship Program:** The McConnell Scholars Program provides scholarships for first-time freshmen or transfer juniors entering qualif…
Where does The McConnell Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily funds organizations located in: • Modoc County • Shasta County • Siskiyou County • Tehama County • Trinity Counties These counties comprise rural Northern California, referred to as the North State region. **International Grantmaking:** The Foundation began international grantmaking in 1999 in Nepal and expanded to Laos in 2006.
What size grants does The McConnell Foundation award?
In 2024, The McConnell Foundation awarded 129 grants totaling $11.6M — an average of about $90K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The McConnell Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The McConnell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $27.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The McConnell Foundation's EIN?
The McConnell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-6102700. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The McConnell 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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