The MDC Foundation
The MDC Foundation is a private foundation based in Charlottesville, Virginia. It invests its assets to produce returns that fund annual distributions to preselected 501(c)(3) charities.
The MDC Foundation at a glance
In short: The MDC Foundation gave $241K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in New York. 7% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $241,000
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 14
- -12.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,214
- +6.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $4,683,515
- +7.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (1 of 14, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (73% 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 MDC Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: C/O Silvercrest 230 Court Square, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 977-4420
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The MDC Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mt Sinai Hospital ($150K). Together the top 10 received $236K.
Grant Size Distribution
77 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 77 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in New York (73%), Connecticut (16%), Virginia (9%), and South Carolina (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The MDC Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 14 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $500; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $5K repeat.
- 93% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 67% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $137K (2020) to $258K (2023). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $241K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mt Sinai Hospital New York, NY | General | $150,000 |
| St Mark's Episcopal Church New Canaan, CT | General | $25,000 |
| Jefferson Scholars Foundation Charlottesville, VA | General | $20,000 |
| Horizons National Westport, CT | General | $10,000 |
| College of Charleston Foundation Charleston, SC | General | $6,000 |
| Bottom Line Brooklyn, NY | General | $5,000 |
| Central Park Conservancy New York, NY | General | $5,000 |
| Harlem Academy New York, NY | General | $5,000 |
| Hospital for Special Surgery New York, NY | General | $5,000 |
| Muddy Paws Rescue New York, NY | General | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The MDC 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 | $4,683,515 | $40,321 | $258,405 | $241,000 | 14 | $241,000 | $76,079 | $225,013 |
| 2023 | $4,355,170 | $180,112 | $275,858 | $258,000 | 16 | $258,000 | $170,144 | $208,275 |
| 2022 | $4,179,498 | $474,608 | $173,655 | $151,000 | 15 | $151,000 | $463,952 | $215,015 |
| 2021 | $5,065,476 | $289,563 | $163,674 | $144,000 | 16 | $144,000 | $278,789 | $226,235 |
| 2020 | $4,102,362 | $18,724 | $151,466 | $137,000 | 16 | — | $70,727 | $179,047 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The MDC Foundation reported a distributable amount of $225K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as investing assets to produce returns for annual distributions to preselected 501(c)(3) charities. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations in education, health care, conservation, animal rescue, and the arts, among other areas; the grants were listed with a general purpose.
Among its grantees, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation says it provides merit-based scholarship, fellowship, and professorship support at the University of Virginia. The College of Charleston Foundation says it promotes education, research, student development, and faculty development for the benefit of the college. Muddy Paws Rescue describes its work as ending unnecessary euthanasia of companion dogs through education and direct lifesaving. Harlem Academy says it advances opportunity for promising children and supports their academic achievement. Rising Starr Horse Rescue says it rescues, rehabilitates, retrains, and rehomes horses and provides educational programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 14 grants totaling $241,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $150,000, with a median of $5,000. It gave $258,000 through 16 grants in 2023 and $151,000 through 15 grants in 2022.
The largest reported 2024 grants included $150,000 to Mt Sinai Hospital, $25,000 to St Mark’s Episcopal Church, $20,000 to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, and $10,000 to Horizons National. Other listed grants included $6,000 to the College of Charleston Foundation and $5,000 each to Bottom Line, Central Park Conservancy, Harlem Academy, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Muddy Paws Rescue.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dupre Cochran as secretary/vice president, and Lee S Cochran and E Peyton Cochran as directors.
The MDC Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
E. Peyton Cochran
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee S. Cochran
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dupre Cochran
Secretary & Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 MDC Foundation
How much does The MDC Foundation give each year?
The MDC Foundation gave $241K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $258K across 16 grants.
What is The MDC Foundation's typical grant size?
The MDC Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $17,214, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The MDC Foundation that year got $500 on average.
Where does The MDC Foundation give grants?
The MDC Foundation gives mostly in New York: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (16%) and Virginia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (5 grants).
Does The MDC Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The MDC Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The MDC Foundation's largest grantees?
The MDC Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Mt Sinai Hospital ($150,000), St Mark's Episcopal Church ($25,000) and Jefferson Scholars Foundation ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The MDC Foundation?
The MDC Foundation reported $4.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $241K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $225K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The MDC Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as investing assets to produce returns for annual distributions to preselected 501(c)(3) charities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The MDC Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The MDC Foundation's EIN?
The MDC Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1550838. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The MDC Foundation 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The MDC Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The MDC Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-mdc-foundation-morg_474b7894fa944466a56b8e7e848714f8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_461550838_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The MDC Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-mdc-foundation-morg_474b7894fa944466a56b8e7e848714f8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 MDC 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.
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