The McNeely Foundation
The McNeely Foundation is a private foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Its mission is to leverage human and financial resources to foster a thriving East Side of Saint Paul, with grantmaking focused on youth development, the environment, and family and neighborhood stability.
The McNeely Foundation at a glance
In short: The McNeely Foundation gave $1.6M across 117 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), mostly in Minnesota. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,628,375
- +1.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 117
- +0.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,918
- +0.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $31,413,340
- +0.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (37 of 101, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The McNeely Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website directs applicants to submit funding requests through its online application process, followed by staff, committee, and board review. Applicants may be asked for additional information or a site visit; a site visit does not constitute a grant commitment. The 2024 filing describes submission by letter, including a copy of the organization’s exemption letter and a description of the intended use of funds. The filing also states that awards are primarily to Minnesota charities and that no awards are paid to individuals. Current grantees may apply before an existing grant ends only if that grant expires before the proposed new grant begins; a preliminary final report must accompany the application.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists submission deadlines of December 1, March 1, and June 1.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists submission deadlines of December 1, March 1, and June 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Karen Reynolds
Mailing address: 444 Pine Street, St Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 228-4500
Website: https://mcneelyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The McNeely Foundation
Family & Neighborhood Stability Grant
The McNeely Foundation
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
McNeely Foundation: Environment Grant
The McNeely Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
McNeely Foundation: Youth Development Through Employment Training Grant
The McNeely Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The McNeely Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (East Side Funders Group) ($175K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $808K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
611 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 579 grants of 611 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s primary geographic focus is the East Side of St. Paul. Its website says it will consider applications from organizations outside the targeted geography for innovative work that could be integrated or replicated on the East Side. In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota; the remaining reported shares went to California (3%), Wisconsin (2%), Montana (1%), and Maryland (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 117 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The McNeely Foundation open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 37 of 101 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 90% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2020) to $1.8M (2022). In 2024 it made 117 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (East Side Funders Group) Saint Paul, MN | East Side Real Estate Strategy - Strategic Partnership | $125,000 |
| Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi Saint Paul, MN | Project Design and Implementation | $75,000 |
| University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN | Family business center director endowment and phase iii program support | $65,000 |
| Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi Saint Paul, MN | Lower Phalen Creek General Operating Support | $55,000 |
| 30000 Feet Saint Paul, MN | Black Arts & Tech Center Capital Campaign | $50,000 |
| Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (East Side Funders Group) Saint Paul, MN | East side funders group - building an interconnected and regenerative east side economy | $50,000 |
| East Side Neighborhood Development Company Saint Paul, MN | Community-Based Economic Development | $50,000 |
| Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Conservancy Saint Paul, MN | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Saint Paul Urban Tennis Program Saint Paul, MN | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Urban Roots Saint Paul, MN | Preparing East Side Youth for Future Career Pathways | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The McNeely 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,413,340 | $1,904,919 | $1,408,619 | $1,628,375 | 117 | $1,736,498 | $1,852,371 | $1,928,004 |
| 2023 | $31,317,040 | $3,243,853 | $2,472,879 | $1,604,635 | 116 | $1,708,321 | $4,074,262 | $1,743,240 |
| 2022 | $29,570,448 | $9,191,687 | $1,671,433 | $1,753,275 | 134 | $1,863,274 | $9,618,352 | $1,737,046 |
| 2021 | $22,452,194 | $7,360,688 | $2,010,121 | $1,423,795 | 118 | $1,499,030 | $7,914,161 | $1,836,023 |
| 2020 | $12,407,488 | $1,660,356 | $1,246,177 | $1,365,880 | 126 | — | $984,752 | $1,503,215 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The McNeely Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation identifies four grantmaking areas: Youth Development Through Enrichment; Youth Development Through Employment Training; Environment; and Family & Neighborhood Stability. Its strategies include supporting community-based enrichment and life-skills programming for middle-grade youth, youth employment and job training, and protection, restoration, and access to East Side parks, open spaces, land, water, and sacred sites. In family and neighborhood stability, the foundation’s stated goal is for families and small businesses to be financially stable and contribute to East Side community wealth.
The foundation funds organizations working toward a more vibrant and sustainable East Side of St. Paul. It will consider applications from outside its targeted geography and age group for innovative work that could be integrated or replicated on the East Side. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that are not private foundations, as well as public agencies or schools invited to apply.
Examples of grantees’ work include East Side Neighborhood Development Company, which describes its mission as fostering a safe, diverse, and thriving community on St. Paul’s East Side, and the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, whose stated mission is to create community vibrancy through strong parks and equitable access to green spaces. Other 2024 grantees include 30000 Feet, which provides out-of-school and summer activities for marginalized students, and Cookie Cart, which teaches young people life, leadership, and employment skills through bakery work and classroom experiences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 117 grants totaling $1,628,375. Individual grants ranged from $50 to $125,000, with a median of $2,500. Among the largest listed awards were $125,000 to Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (East Side Funders Group) for an East Side real estate strategy and strategic partnership; $75,000 to Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi for project design and implementation; and $65,000 to the University of St. Thomas for its Family Business Center director endowment and Phase III program support.
Other 2024 awards included $50,000 each to East Side Neighborhood Development Company for community-based economic development, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Conservancy for general operating support, and 30000 Feet for a Black Arts & Tech Center capital campaign. The East Side Arts Council received $45,000 for Arts for All/ArtsYes, and Cookie Cart received $40,000 for its Youth Earn As You Learn program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nicholas McNeely as chair, Ted Madden as vice chair, Armar A Archbold as secretary, and Bye Barsness, Irene McNeely, Lauren McNeely, and Shannon Whitaker as trustees. The website identifies Karen M. Reynolds as Foundation Administrator and Grants Manager and Maggie Arzdorf-Schubbe as Program Officer.
The McNeely Foundation is led by Nicholas McNeely, Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nicholas McNeely
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Irene McNeely
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Whitaker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bye Barsness
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren McNeely
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Armar A. Archbold
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ted Madden
Vice Chair
Chair → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Trina McNeely (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Alex Wilder (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kelly Whitaker Rousseau (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: We Barsness (2020–2022) — Trustee
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.
Frequently asked questions about The McNeely Foundation
How much does The McNeely Foundation give each year?
The McNeely Foundation gave $1.6M across 117 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 116 grants.
What is The McNeely Foundation's typical grant size?
The McNeely Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $13,918, across 117 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The McNeely Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does The McNeely Foundation give grants?
The McNeely Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Saint Paul, MN (40 grants), Minneapolis, MN (13 grants), Livingston, MT (9 grants) and Washington, DC (5 grants).
Does The McNeely Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 71% of The McNeely Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (83 of 117) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The McNeely Foundation's largest grantees?
The McNeely Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation (East Side Funders Group) ($175,000 across 2 grants), Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi ($133,000 across 3 grants) and 30000 Feet ($85,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($1,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The McNeely Foundation?
The McNeely Foundation reported $31.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (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 does The McNeely Foundation fund?
The foundation identifies four grantmaking areas: Youth Development Through Enrichment; Youth Development Through Employment Training; Environment; and Family & Neighborhood Stability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The McNeely Foundation?
The foundation’s website directs applicants to submit funding requests through its online application process, followed by staff, committee, and board review. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The McNeely Foundation's EIN?
The McNeely Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1392221. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 24, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The McNeely Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-mcneely-foundation-morg_c950cd839e104b71b0b4db8f2299620e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411392221_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The McNeely Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-mcneely-foundation-morg_c950cd839e104b71b0b4db8f2299620e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 McNeely 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 McNeely Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?