Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean is a private foundation based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Its 2025 grants went to North Carolina organizations, supporting work that included education, cultural institutions, community services, and programs for people experiencing homelessness or seeking recovery.
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean at a glance
In short: Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean gave $1.5M across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $71K), mostly in North Carolina. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,488,403
- +17.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- +10.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $70,876
- +6.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $21,000
- Total assets
- $25,791,376
- +2.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (2 of 21, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Submit a written request to Thomas Elizabeth McLean Foundation explaining the purpose, time period, and cost. Awards are restricted to North Carolina organizations or chapters of national charities.
- Contact
Application contact: Thomas Elizabeth Mclean Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 58329, Fayetteville, NC 28305
Phone: (910) 252-8858
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Methodist University ($458K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 106 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing restricts awards to North Carolina organizations or chapters of national charities. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 21 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $77K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $1.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Methodist University Fayetteville, NC | It Upgrade | $458,001 |
| Fayetteville State University Foundation Inc Fayetteville, NC | Free Summer SCHO0L Program/Military Center | $250,000 |
| NC Civil War Center Fayetteville, NC | New Construction | $200,000 |
| FTCC Foundation Fayetteville, NC | CDL Truck Driving Program | $175,400 |
| Cape Fear Botanical Garden Fayetteville, NC | Always Growing Campaign | $70,001 |
| Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch Fayetteville, NC | Living Hope Recover Team Program | $65,000 |
| Community Concerts of Fayetteville NC Fayetteville, NC | Unrestricted/Promotional Expenses | $40,000 |
| Cumberland Community Foundation Fayetteville, NC | Giving Tuesday Match | $35,000 |
| Connections of Cumberland County Fayetteville, NC | Day Resource Center | $30,000 |
| Cape Fear Regional Theatre Fayetteville, NC | Act 2: Elevate & Expand | $25,001 |
Ready to take the next step with Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $25,791,376 | $2,840,141 | $2,235,491 | $1,488,403 | 21 | $1,734,031 | $2,512,156 | $1,702,440 |
| 2024 | $25,190,856 | $5,229,818 | $1,894,253 | $1,269,000 | 19 | $1,510,154 | $4,892,294 | $1,460,233 |
| 2023 | $21,851,702 | $1,844,155 | $1,669,501 | $1,054,151 | 21 | $1,282,125 | $1,564,816 | $1,338,827 |
| 2022 | $21,683,754 | $954,274 | $1,894,124 | $1,226,833 | 21 | $1,413,629 | $892,680 | $1,354,835 |
| 2021 | $22,625,680 | $3,504,528 | $1,969,733 | $1,369,166 | 24 | $1,557,253 | $3,233,305 | $1,507,654 |
| 2020 | $21,091,588 | $1,948,035 | $1,670,957 | $1,120,290 | 20 | — | $1,691,969 | $1,271,843 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2025 — 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 2025 grants included support for educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, community organizations, and human services.
The grantees describe their work in varied ways. Methodist University says it provides undergraduate and graduate education grounded in the liberal arts tradition, while the Fayetteville State University Foundation says it raises and disburses funds to further the university’s educational purposes. Cape Fear Botanical Garden describes its work as encompassing nature, plant collections, environmental stewardship, conservation, education, research, agricultural heritage, and community arts and culture. Connections of Cumberland County says it seeks to empower homeless women and children to become self-reliant; the Child Advocacy Center describes providing a child-friendly setting for interviews and coordinating referrals in cases of alleged abuse. Fayetteville Urban Ministry says it serves neighbors in need, and Myrover-Reese Fellowship Homes says it provides a structured environment for people seeking recovery from alcohol and other drugs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $1,488,403. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $458,001, with a median of $21,000. The largest listed awards were $458,001 to Methodist University for an IT upgrade; $250,000 to Fayetteville State University Foundation for a free summer school program and military center; $200,000 to NC Civil War Center for new construction; and $175,400 to FTCC Foundation for a CDL truck driving program.
Other listed grants included $70,001 to Cape Fear Botanical Garden for its Always Growing campaign, $65,000 to Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch for its Living Hope Recover Team Program, $35,000 to Cumberland Community Foundation for a Giving Tuesday match, and $30,000 to Connections of Cumberland County for a day resource center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Jennifer Elam, President; Angela Ashworth, Vice-President/Secretary; Paul Elam, Vice-President/Treasurer; Claire Shaw, Vice-President; Faison Covington, Vice-President/Assistant Secretary; and Kensley Edge, Vice-President/Public Relations.
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean is led by Jennifer Elam, President on every filing since 2020; all 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jennifer Elam
President
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$81K (2020) → $89K (2025)
Angela Ashworth
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$78K (2020) → $81K (2025)
Claire Shaw
Vice President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$66K (2020) → $71K (2025)
Faison Covington
Vice President & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$66K (2020) → $71K (2025)
Paul Elam
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$66K (2020) → $71K (2025)
Kensley Edge
Vice President & Public Relations
On filings since 2024
25 hrs/week
$48K (2024) → $49K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $89K, to Jennifer Elam (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean
How much does Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean give each year?
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean gave $1.5M across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 19 grants.
What is Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean's typical grant size?
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean's median grant in 2025 was $21,000, and its average grant was $70,876, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean that year got $15K on average.
Where does Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean give grants?
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fayetteville, NC (18 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants).
Does Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean's largest grantees?
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean's largest 2025 grantees include Methodist University ($458,001), Fayetteville State University Foundation Inc ($250,000) and NC Civil War Center ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean?
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean reported $25.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, community organizations, and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean?
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean's EIN?
Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1470721. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 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 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 21, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-r-and-elizabeth-e-mclean-morg_b82f3392885842ebb8f17f1fe0dc0752
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311470721_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Thomas R \& Elizabeth E McLean funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/thomas-r-and-elizabeth-e-mclean-morg_b82f3392885842ebb8f17f1fe0dc0752},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean'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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