The Mccune Foundation
The McCune Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1990 by George D. McCune and Sara Miller McCune, founders of SAGE Publications, Inc. Based in Ventura, California, the foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting grassroots programs and community-based initiatives that address critical social and economic issues.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$38.1M
-0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+7.2% YoY
Grant Count
137
+44.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-25.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Mccune Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To be an agent of productive change in society by supporting the growth of social capital in communities.
The foundation supports projects that empower and mobilize historically excluded and disenfranchised populations. It prioritizes grassroots, bottom-up organizations where community members are initiators and involved in decision-making—described as "doing with others" rather than "doing for others."
Primary Focus Areas:
- Community capacity building
- Social justice initiatives
- Community and economic development
- Support for economically disadvantaged and low-income individuals
- International human rights
- Community organizing and civic engagement
- Advocacy and social change efforts
Grantmaking
The foundation made 119 grants in its most recent fiscal year (2023). Recent grantees include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports grassroots programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, California. It also funds projects across the United States, including major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., as well as several other California cities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total Assets: $38,394,162
- Total Revenue: $2,431,774
- Total Expenses: $1,674,603
- Net Income: $75
The foundation's revenue is generated through interest earned on checking accounts and dividends earned on investments.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $38,099,725 | $38,394,162 | $37,611,502 |
| Revenue | $1,638,293 | $2,431,774 | $36,845,719 |
| Expenses | $1,940,689 | $1,674,603 | $1,221,707 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,724,151 | $1,495,848 | $1,120,817 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,187,230 | $804,108 | $757,210 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,884,279 | $1,817,446 | $671,512 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Mccune Foundation
Mccune Foundation: Project & General Operating Support Grants
THE MCCUNE FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Mccune Foundation: Training Mini-Grants
THE MCCUNE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Training Mini-Grant Program
THE MCCUNE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cause (central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) ($50,000), Cause (central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) ($50,000), Food and Water Watch ($45,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 805 UNDOCUFUND LOMPOC, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| 805 UNDOCUFUND LOMPOC, CA | WINTER STORM RELIEF | $2,500 |
| ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE FOUNDATION SANTA MARIA, CA | THE PROMISE PROGRAM | $1,500 |
| ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $500 |
| ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS OF SANTA BARBARAVENTURA COUNTIES SANTA BARBARA, CA | NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY SPONSORSHIP | $900 |
| AUTISM SOCIETY OF VENTURA COUNTY CAMARILLO, CA | MISSION ADVOCACY PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| AWAKENING GIANTZ INC SANTA MARIA, CA | RE-ENVISIONING FOSTER CARE CONFERENCE | $4,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MID CENTRAL COAST SANTA MARIA, CA | BLACK & WHITE BALL | $111 |
| BUEN VECINO WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA | STRATEGIC PLANNING | $1,000 |
| BUEN VECINO WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA | TRAINING MINI GRANT | $2,285 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sara Miller McCune – President
- Claudia Z. Armann – Executive Director
- Laurel Randi – Executive Director (also listed)
The foundation employs 6 staff members and includes several board directors who contribute their expertise.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAUDIA Z ARMANN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $175,775 |
| SARA MILLER MCCUNE | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| SANDRA BALL-ROKEACH | DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| VICKI FISHER MAGASINN | DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| HILDA ZACARIAS | TREASURER | 3 | $5,000 |
| MARCOS VARGAS | DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| SUSAN ROSE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| JOCELYN SZE MCCUNE | DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| VICTOR RIOS | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| CHARLES HALE | VICE-PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| MONIQUE LIMON | SECRETARY | 3 | $7,500 |
| NANCY CHEN | DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| BRANDO POZZI | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| WENDY SIMS-MOTEN | DIRECTOR | 3 | $7,500 |
| DIANE WONDOLOWSKI | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Mccune Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To be an agent of productive change in society by supporting the growth of social capital in communities. The foundation supports projects that empower and mobilize historically excluded and disenfranchised populations. It prioritizes grassroots, bottom-up organizations where community members are initiators and involved in decision-making—described as "doing with others" rather than "doing for others." **Primary Focus Areas:** • Community capacity building • Social justice initiat…
How do I apply for a grant from The Mccune Foundation?
The foundation made 119 grants in its most recent fiscal year (2023). Recent grantees include: • NEO Philanthropy ($150,000 for I-Center Implementation Phase) • MixtecoIndigena Indigena Community Organizing Project ($40,000 for Justicia Laboral Project) • California Lutheran University ($40,000 for Center for Nonprofit Leadership) **Total giving:** $1,135,524 (2023) The foundation funds general support, capacity building, and projects directly linked to community action where participants are c…
Where does The Mccune Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports grassroots programs in **Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, California**. It also funds projects across the United States, including major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., as well as several other California cities.
What size grants does The Mccune Foundation award?
In 2024, The Mccune Foundation awarded 137 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Mccune Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Mccune Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Mccune Foundation's EIN?
The Mccune Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0242953. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Mccune 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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