The McGee Foundation
The McGee Foundation is a private foundation, based in Charleston, WV. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $17.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $539K. Net investment income was $1.6M.
The McGee Foundation at a glance
In short: The McGee Foundation gave $539K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $77K), mostly in West Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $538,703
- -7.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $76,958
- -7.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $17,278,435
- +5.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- West Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The McGee Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Kanawha Valley ($160K). Together the top 5 received $373K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($166,203), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 18 grants of 32 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The McGee Foundation gives
- Giving fell 21% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 83% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $503K (2020) to $680K (2021). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $539K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Kanawha Valley Charleston, WV | Developing, improving, and restoring economic vitality in the west side community | $160,000 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $166,203 |
| Glenville State University Glenville, WV | Direct Benefit for Students Through Needs Based Scholarships | $100,000 |
| Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV | Direct Benefit for Students Through Needs Based Scholarships | $100,000 |
| Kanawha Valley Council on Philanthropy Charleston, WV | Developing, improving, and restoring economic vitality in the west side community | $10,000 |
| Philanthropy West Virginia Morgantown, WV | Promoting philanthropy throughout West Virginia and across the nation | $2,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $17,278,435 | $1,777,476 | $1,062,869 | $538,703 | 7 | $815,663 | $1,591,549 | $985,654 |
| 2023 | $16,421,363 | $313,927 | $1,239,443 | $581,009 | 7 | $941,771 | $137,741 | $930,154 |
| 2022 | $17,218,477 | $1,123,169 | $1,109,695 | $572,763 | 6 | $835,196 | $965,937 | $926,693 |
| 2021 | $17,206,041 | $5,787,348 | $1,035,561 | $680,245 | 6 | $855,103 | $5,620,350 | $849,584 |
| 2020 | $13,148,116 | $121,714 | $804,827 | $503,082 | 6 | — | — | $759,977 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The McGee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $986K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The McGee Foundation is led by William Deberniere Mebane Jr., Chairman & President on every filing since 2020; 5 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William Deberniere Mebane Jr.
Chairman & President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Emory Kinder Wright
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$10K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Christopher Alexander
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$6K (2022) → $8K (2024)
J. Michael Hines
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$8K (2020) → $8K (2024)
John Kuykendall
Director Emeritus
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$8K (2022) → $8K (2024)
Stephen E. Kawash CPA
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: John Kuykendall Davidson College (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Emory Kinder (2021) — Director
- Former: Stephen E. Kawash Brown Edwards Co (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $15K, to William Deberniere Mebane Jr (Chairman & President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The McGee Foundation
How much does The McGee Foundation give each year?
The McGee Foundation gave $539K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $581K across 7 grants.
What is The McGee Foundation's typical grant size?
The McGee Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $76,958, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The McGee Foundation give grants?
The McGee Foundation gives mostly in West Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charleston, WV (2 grants).
Does The McGee Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The McGee Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Direct Benefit for Students Through Needs Based Scholarships" (4 grants).
Who are The McGee Foundation's largest grantees?
The McGee Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Kanawha Valley ($160,000), Glenville State University ($100,000) and Bluefield State University ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($166,203), which are not listed by name. Together they received 67% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The McGee Foundation?
The McGee Foundation reported $17.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $816K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $986K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The McGee Foundation's EIN?
The McGee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0720406. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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