The McCarthy Family Foundation enhances the health, welfare, education and safety of the community through family philanthropy.
A single 2023 general grant of $6,257,880 to The San Diego Foundation stands out as the clearest recent signal of how Mccarthy Family Foundation Inc operates: through large, locally directed philanthropy in San Diego County. The foundation’s stated priorities center on K-12 science education, HIV/AIDS research and services, homelessness assistance, and child abuse prevention, with special projects also considered within San Diego County. It also uses matching grants to amplify board members’ personal giving, showing a family-directed approach rather than a broad institutional program. The foundation’s active grant programs describe support for nonprofits, schools, and service providers, including work for students and science teachers, people living with HIV/AIDS, people experiencing homelessness, and child abuse victims and their families. Recent and program guidance both point to project-restricted, place-based funding rather than open-ended support. The overall picture is of a foundation that combines a very large general grant with smaller, targeted grants tied to specific community needs in its service area.
In K-12 science education, the foundation supports study of science in schools and programs that encourage students to pursue scientific study and careers. Its program guidance says these grants are typically small and are meant for program activities in San Diego County schools and nonprofits. For HIV/AIDS work, the foundation funds research, education, and direct services, and it is a member of the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative. In homelessness, it backs basic needs and support services that are intended to improve opportunity for independence, health, and self-esteem. For child abuse prevention, it supports prevention programs and services for victims and their families, again within San Diego County. Across these areas, the pattern is defined by targeted local service delivery rather than broad unrestricted support.
The foundation’s typical grant size is consistent at $6,257,880 at the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile, reflecting a very concentrated recent distribution. Its grantmaking is family-directed and includes a small pool of director matching grants, plus project-restricted grants in named program areas. Recipients can appear through both general grantmaking and topic-specific programs, and the foundation also considers special projects within San Diego County. Unsolicited applications are accepted in several of the active programs, including the general grantmaking and K-12 science education tracks. The structure is local and nonprofit-focused, with no individual giving and no program-related investments.
$6.3M
$0
$0
$0
Most grants fall between $6.3M and $6.3M, with a median of $6.3M.
25th Percentile
$6.3M
Median
$6.3M
75th Percentile
$6.3M
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 100% of grants go to recipients in California, and the top state by grant count is CA. Program guidance repeatedly limits funding to San Diego County, and the recent grant to The San Diego Foundation was made in San Diego, CA. The foundation also names San Diego County in its matching, science education, HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and child abuse prevention programs, showing a strong county-level focus rather than a multi-state footprint. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation’s core areas are K-12 science education, HIV/AIDS research and services, assistance to homeless people, and child abuse prevention and services for victims and families. It also considers special projects within San Diego County.
Yes. Several active programs say they accept unsolicited applications, including the general grantmaking program and the K-12 science education track. The HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and child abuse prevention programs also list unsolicited applications as accepted.
The reported grant-size distribution is concentrated at $6,257,880, with the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile all at that amount. That points to a very narrow recent range of grant sizes.
Its giving is local and stays in California. The top state by grant count is CA, and the data show 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Program descriptions also repeatedly limit support to San Diego County.
The foundation funds nonprofits, schools, and service providers working with K-12 students and science teachers, people living with HIV/AIDS, people experiencing homelessness, and child abuse victims and their families.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Current and upcoming funding from Mccarthy Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Programs must be within San Diego County. Nonprofits providing services to homeless populations eligible.
Who can apply: Programs must be within San Diego County. Nonprofit organizations and K-12 educational programs eligible. Multiple-year proposals may be considered but annual/continued support is not the foundation's intention.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION | SAN DIEGO, CA | $6,257,880 | 2023 | GENERAL |