Private foundation · EIN 20-1511055 · Hillsborough, California · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Cynthia and Merrill Magowan Family Foundation Inc

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 16 grants paid, $137K total, median $2,500. 44% of grants stayed in California.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
16
$137K
Median grant
$2,500
Stays in CA
44%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.7M

Grants paid in 2025

16 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Addiction Education Society IncSan Mateo, CASupport 501(c)3 organization$52K
Mayo ClinicRochester, MNSupport 501(c)3 organization$25K
San Francisco Zoological SocietySan Francisco, CASupport 501(c)(3) organization$10K
The Marine Mammal CenterSausalito, CASupport 501(c)3 organization$10K
Deerfield AcademyClinton, MDSupport 501(c)(3) organization$10K
Tunnel to Towers FoundationStaten Island, NYSupport 501(c)(3) organization$5,000
Alleycats AristrocratsMedina, OHSupport Exempt Organization$5,000
Peninsula Family ServiceSan Mateo, CASupport 501(c)(3) organization$2,500
Hillsborough Beautification FoundatHillsborough, CASupport 501(c)(3) organization$2,500
Fine Arts Museums FoundationSan Francisco, CASupport 501(c)(3) organization$2,500
Bakers InstituteHouston, TXSupport 501(c)(3) organization$2,500
Call PrimeroseBurlingame, CASupport Exempt Organization$2,500
Friends of Coos County Animals IncCoos Bay, ORSupport 501(c)(3) organization$1,875
Naval Institute FoundationAnnapolis, MDSupport 501(c)(3) organization$1,875
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NYSupport 501(c)(3) organization$1,750
World Central Kitchen IncWashington, DCSupport Exempt Organization$1,750

By state: California 7 · Minnesota 1 · Maryland 2 · New York 2 · Ohio 1 · Texas 1

About this foundation

Cynthia and Merrill Magowan Family Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Hillsborough, California, administered in care of Wfb P Royer, tax-exempt since 2005. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Cynthia and Merrill Magowan Family Foundation Inc accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Cynthia and Merrill Magowan Family Foundation Inc give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $137K across 16 grants, a median of $2,500.

Where does Cynthia and Merrill Magowan Family Foundation Inc give?

California (7 grants), Minnesota (1 grants), Maryland (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Hillsborough that accept applications

All in California
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Eugene and Marilyn Stein Family Foundationsince 1998 Hillsborough, CA $8.3M20 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $19M
Michael and Catherine Podell Fundsince 2005 Hillsborough, CA $520K20 grants · 2024 $16KYes $15M
Addiego Foundationsince 2014 Hillsborough, CA — —Preselected only $15M
Probst Fam Foundationsince 2004 Hillsborough, CA $251K6 grants · 2024 $16KPreselected only $8.1M
Bella Charitable Foundationsince 2015 Hillsborough, CA $271K18 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $6.7M
Oshea Foundationsince 1961 Hillsborough, CA $471K27 grants · 2024 $10KPreselected only $5.7M
Ischemia Research & Education Foundationsince 1992 Hillsborough, CA $26K1 grants · 2024 $26KPreselected only $4.0M
Jin and Xiaqing Wu Family Foundationsince 2013 Hillsborough, CA $128K5 grants · 2024 $20KPreselected only $3.3M
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