Private foundation · EIN 36-7293187 · Chicago, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

The McNamara Purcell Foundation

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 2024 Form 990-PF: 25 grants paid, $1.4M total, median $25K. 20% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
25
$1.4M
Median grant
$25K
Stays in IL
20%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$13M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Nd - 1m Endowment to Nd GradsNotre Dame, INUnrestricted$400K
St Joseph and St FrancisWilmette, ILUnrestricted$200K
MS Research Center of Ny - Annual DinnerNew York, NYUnrestricted$175K
Loyola Academy Rex Englebert First Responders AwarChicago, ILUnrestricted$80K
Multiple Myeloma - Chicago DinnerNorwalk, CTUnrestricted$50K
Texas Christian University - Deans Discr FundFort Worth, TXUnrestricted$50K
University of Notre Dame - Friends of Nd Nil EfforNotre Dame, INUnrestrcited$50K
Tcu Flying T Club (nil)Forth Worth, TXUnrestricted$50K
High Point University Friends of Hpu CollectiveHigh Point, NCUnrestricted$50K
Usd - the Ole FoundationSan Diego, CAUnrestricted$50K
Leader DogsRochester Hills, MIUnrestricted$40K
Texas Christian University - Athletics Exc PldgFort Worth, TXUnrestricted$30K
Navy Seal FoundationVirginia Beach, VAUnrestricted$25K
Impact Through Golf Foundation Napa ValleyScottsdale, AZUnrestricted$25K
Holy Cross MinistriesSalt Lake City, UTUnrestricted$25K
Brain Research FoundationChicago, ILUnrestricted$20K
Alotian CharitableRoland, AZUnrestricted$20K
Waterford School General FundSandy, UTUnrestricted$15K
High Point University 5-Yr Pledge Strted in 2022High Point, NCUnrestricted$10K
Carl's KidsDurham, NCUnrestricted$5,000
Chicago Chapter of the Spinal Cord SocietyPalos Heights, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer FoundationNewark, NJUnrestricted$5,000
Alzheimer's AssociationChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Ntl MS Sty - in Hnr of Kathleen Kelleher BringmingNew York, NYUnrestricted$2,500
Cc Cares Foundation SlcSalt Lake City, UTUnrestricted$1,000

By state: Indiana 2 · Illinois 5 · New York 2 · Texas 3 · North Carolina 3 · Connecticut 1

About this foundation

The McNamara Purcell Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Chicago, Illinois, administered in care of Thomas Dykstra, tax-exempt since 2000. 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 The McNamara Purcell Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 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 The McNamara Purcell Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $1.4M across 25 grants, a median of $25K.

Where does The McNamara Purcell Foundation give?

Indiana (2 grants), Illinois (5 grants), New York (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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