The McLain Family Foundation Inc
The McLain Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Charleston, South Carolina. Its 2023 filing reports grants to organizations in South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Maryland, and Virginia, including universities, schools, and arts and cultural organizations.
The McLain Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The McLain Family Foundation Inc gave $54K across 19 grants in 2023 (avg $3K), top state South Carolina. 56% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $53,579
- -47.5% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 19
- +58.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $2,820
- -66.9% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $1,300
- Total assets
- $442,536
- -8.9% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 56% first-time grantees (10 of 18, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (40% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The McLain Family Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 39 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The McLain Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Tigers Unlimited Auburn University ($11K). Together the top 10 received $47K.
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 58 grants of 58 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 40% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina, 34% to Alabama, 13% to Tennessee, 5% to Maryland, and 4% to Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The McLain Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
56%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 10 of 18 grantees (56%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 22% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 238% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $54K (2023) to $126K (2021). In 2023 it made 19 grants totaling $54K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tigers Unlimited Auburn University Auburn University, AL | General | $11,490 |
| Spoleto Festival Charleston, SC | General | $8,500 |
| Gibbes Museum of Art Charleston, SC | General | $7,500 |
| Auburn University Auburn University, AL | General | $6,250 |
| Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | General | $5,000 |
| Preservation Society of Charleston Charleston, SC | General | $2,073 |
| Oak Hill School Nashville, TN | General | $1,961 |
| Various Charleston, SC | General | $1,755 |
| Calvert School Baltimore, MD | General | $1,500 |
| Brookgreen Gardens Murrells Inlet, SC | General | $1,300 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $442,536 | $18,617 | $61,752 | $53,579 | 19 | $57,104 | $15,904 | $23,996 |
| 2022 | $485,671 | $23,241 | $108,874 | $102,130 | 12 | $105,485 | $19,852 | $29,944 |
| 2021 | $571,304 | $59,193 | $131,397 | $126,053 | 27 | — | $57,429 | $32,557 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The McLain Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $24K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for educational institutions and arts and cultural organizations. For example, Oak Hill School describes its mission as building character and integrity in a Christian environment for lifelong learning and service. Brookgreen Gardens says it was formed to collect, preserve, and exhibit American sculpture and South Carolina’s native flora and fauna. Calvert School describes its work as educating boys and girls through a rigorous curriculum, with emphasis on essential skills and lifelong learning.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2023, the foundation made 19 grants totaling $53,579. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $11,490, with a median of $1,300.
The largest reported grants included $11,490 to Tigers Unlimited Auburn University, $8,500 to Spoleto Festival, $7,500 to Gibbes Museum of Art, $6,250 to Auburn University, and $5,000 to Vanderbilt University. Each was listed for general purposes. Other grants included $1,961 to Oak Hill School, $1,500 to Calvert School, $1,300 to Brookgreen Gardens, and $1,000 to the Ulman Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Michael A McLain, Jane T McLain, Michael A McLain Jr, Matthew B McLain, and Jordan E McLain as directors.
The McLain Family Foundation Inc's 2023 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Jane T. McLain
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jordan E. McLain
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Matthew B. McLain
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Michael A. McLain
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Michael A. McLain Jr.
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The McLain Family Foundation Inc
How much does The McLain Family Foundation Inc give each year?
The McLain Family Foundation Inc gave $54K across 19 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $102K across 12 grants.
What is The McLain Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The McLain Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2023 was $1,300, and its average grant was $2,820, across 19 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The McLain Family Foundation Inc that year got $3K on average.
Where does The McLain Family Foundation Inc give grants?
The McLain Family Foundation Inc's top state is South Carolina, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Alabama (34%) and Tennessee (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charleston, SC (4 grants), Auburn University, AL (2 grants), Nashville, TN (2 grants) and Baltimore, MD (2 grants).
Does The McLain Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 95% of The McLain Family Foundation Inc's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 19) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The McLain Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The McLain Family Foundation Inc's largest 2023 grantees include Tigers Unlimited Auburn University ($11,490), Spoleto Festival ($8,500) and Gibbes Museum of Art ($7,500), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 51% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The McLain Family Foundation Inc?
The McLain Family Foundation Inc reported $443K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $57K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The McLain Family Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for educational institutions and arts and cultural organizations. For example, Oak Hill School describes its mission as building character and integrity in a Christian environment for lifelong learning and service. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The McLain Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The McLain Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
The McLain Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1865497. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2023.
Does The McLain Family Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2023
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