The McChord Foundation focuses its giving on large, targeted awards that primarily support education (both K–12 independent schools and classroom-level projects), science/museum access, and community resilience initiatives. Grants mix local Connecticut place-based investments (schools, land/park stewardship, neighborhood development) with national-scale partners addressing emergency food relief and medical debt. The foundation tends to make relatively few, high-value grants that can be transformative for recipients.
A defining feature of Mcchord Foundation’s grantmaking is its pattern of large, targeted awards to education and public-access institutions. In 2025, the foundation gave $1,200,000 to Museum of Science in Boston, followed by $1,000,000 to Donorschoose in New York. Those grants sit alongside major support for schools, medical debt relief, and emergency response organizations, showing a mix of national platforms and local place-based investments. The foundation’s education giving is especially visible in New England. Fraser Woods Montessori School Newtown received $1,000,000 in 2024, and Northfield Mount Hermon School received $500,000 in 2025. Other grants show parallel support for classroom-level projects, local conservation groups, and community organizations, including Manresa Island Corp in Norwalk and Newtown Forest Association in Newtown. The result is a grantmaking profile built around selective, high-value commitments rather than a broad spread of smaller awards.
Education appears in several forms across the grant list. The foundation gave $1,000,000 to Donorschoose in 2025 and repeated that support with another $1,000,000 grant in 2024, signaling sustained backing for classroom-level and teacher-directed projects. In independent schooling, Fraser Woods Montessori School Newtown received $1,000,000 in 2024, while Northfield Mount Hermon School received $500,000 in 2025. Science and public learning also stand out. Museum of Science in Boston received $1,200,000 in 2025, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston received $250,000 in 2025. On the relief side, World Central Kitchen Inc received $750,000 in 2025, and Medical Debt Resolution Inc received $500,000 in 2024. Those grants show support for emergency food response and financial-health work alongside education.
Mcchord Foundation’s recent grants cluster at the high end: the 25th percentile and median are both $5,000, while the 75th percentile is $75,000, reflecting a mix of smaller awards and a substantial number of very large grants. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The recent record also shows repeat grantmaking to the same organizations across multiple years, including Donorschoose, Fraser Woods Montessori School/Newtown Montessori Society, Newtown Historical Society, and Newtown Hook & Ladder Company. That pattern points to renewal funding for selected partners rather than one-time-only support.
$6.6M
$182M
$15.5M
$7.7M
Most grants fall between $5K and $75K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$75K
About 23% of grants go to recipients in MA.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants (several $500k–$2M gifts) across a small number of grantees; a mix of repeat funding for education platforms and one-off major commitments to local institutions and national nonprofit initiatives.
Notable grantees: DonorsChoose, Museum of Science, Fraser Woods Montessori School (Newtown), World Central Kitchen, Medical Debt Resolution, Inc.
Mcchord Foundation gives most often in Massachusetts, while 23% of its grants go to recipients in Connecticut. Recent awards also land in New York City through Donorschoose and in Boston through Museum of Science and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The list includes Connecticut recipients in Newtown, Norwalk, Wilton, and Georgetown, alongside recipients in Washington, DC, Asheville, and other U.S. cities. All recent grants in the provided data went to U.S. recipients.
The grant list shows support for museums, independent schools, classroom-giving platforms, food-relief organizations, medical-debt relief nonprofits, and local conservation or community groups. Named examples include Museum of Science, Donorschoose, World Central Kitchen Inc, Medical Debt Resolution Inc, and Newtown Forest Association.
Yes. The data shows repeat support for several recipients across multiple years, including Donorschoose in 2024 and 2025, Fraser Woods Montessori School/Newtown Montessori Society in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Newtown Historical Society and Newtown Hook & Ladder Company in more than one year.
The grant-size distribution is concentrated near the top and bottom ends of the recent list: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $75,000. Recent awards in the list also include seven-figure grants, which shows that the foundation uses both modest and very large awards.
The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, not Connecticut. Connecticut recipients account for 23% of grants, and recent Connecticut awards went to organizations in Newtown, Norwalk, Wilton, and Georgetown.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSEUM OF SCIENCE | BOSTON, MA | $1,200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DONORSCHOOSE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BELOVED ASHEVILLE | ASHVILLE, NC | $750,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $750,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MANRESA ISLAND CORP | NORWALK, CT | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMON SCHOOL | MOUNT HERMON, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN FOREST ASSOCIATION | NEWTOWN, CT | $475,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| LET GROW | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $140,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| A BETTER CHANCE OF WILTON | WILTON, CT | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK RIVER VALLEY TRAIL | GEORGETOWN, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY | NEWTOWN, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FRASER WOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL | NEWTOWN, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN BRIDLE LANDS ASSOCIATION | NEWTOWN, CT | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN HOOK & LADDER COMPANY | NEWTOWN, CT | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FRASER WOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL | NEWTOWN, CT | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL | SANDY HOOK, CT | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CATHERINE VIOLET HUBBARD FOUNDATION | NEWTOWN, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| EDESIA NUTRITION | NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FRASER WOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWTOWN | NEWTOWN, CT | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| DONORSCHOOSE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MEDICAL DEBT RESOLUTION INC | LONG ISLAND, NY | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| PITTSBURGH CHAPTER NTMFFOUNDATION | MOON TOWNSHIP, PA | $400,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ATTACK ROBOTICS | WALNUT, CA | $265,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| BETH ISRAEL LAHEY HEALTH INC | BOSTON, MA | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ABC OF WILTON INC | WILTON, CT | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| GROWINGSTEMS | HOLLYWOOD, MD | $145,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN MONTESSORI SOCIETY INC - FRASER WOODS | NEWTOWN, CT | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY | NEWTOWN, CT | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN MONTESSORI SOCIETY INC | NEWTOWN, CT | $95,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| BRIDLE LANDS ASSOCIATION | NEWTOWN, CT | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NEWTOWN FOREST ASSOCIATION INC | NEWTOWN, CT | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SOUTH CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | UNION MILLS, IN | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SAVE THE FROGS | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| DONORSCHOOSE | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| SCHENECTADY CITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT SHS | SCHENECTADY, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| BEST ROBOTICS | PITTSBURGH, PA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION | FRAMINGHAM, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| TINKERMILL | LONGMONT, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| INNOVATION SPARK INC | RICHMOND, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS CLUB | NORWALK, CT | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WESTLAKE AND EANES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION | AUSTIN, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| TEWKSBURY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS STEM | TEWSKBURY, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| UNALLOCATED SPACE | SEVERN, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| HARTFORD HACKERSPACE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION | FRAMINGHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| ROCKINGHAM COUNTY 4 H FOUNDATION STEM | DURHAM, NH | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | KINGSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE
$1,200,000GENERAL
DONORSCHOOSE
$1,000,000GENERAL
BELOVED ASHEVILLE
$750,000GENERAL
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC
$750,000GENERAL
MANRESA ISLAND CORP
$500,000GENERAL
NORTHFIELD MOUNT HERMON SCHOOL
$500,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN FOREST ASSOCIATION
GENERAL
BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
$250,000GENERAL
LET GROW
$250,000GENERAL
HEIFER PROJECT INTERNATIONAL
$140,000GENERAL
A BETTER CHANCE OF WILTON
$120,000GENERAL
FRIENDS OF THE NORWALK RIVER VALLEY TRAIL
$100,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$100,000GENERAL
FRASER WOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$100,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN BRIDLE LANDS ASSOCIATION
$75,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN HOOK & LADDER COMPANY
$75,000GENERAL
FRASER WOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$70,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
$65,000GENERAL
CATHERINE VIOLET HUBBARD FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL
EDESIA NUTRITION
$50,000GENERAL
FRASER WOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWTOWN
$1,000,000GENERAL
DONORSCHOOSE
$1,000,000GENERAL
MEDICAL DEBT RESOLUTION INC
$500,000GENERAL
PITTSBURGH CHAPTER NTMFFOUNDATION
$400,000GENERAL
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ATTACK ROBOTICS
$265,000GENERAL
BETH ISRAEL LAHEY HEALTH INC
$250,000GENERAL
ABC OF WILTON INC
$200,000GENERAL
GROWINGSTEMS
$145,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN MONTESSORI SOCIETY INC - FRASER WOODS
$100,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$100,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN MONTESSORI SOCIETY INC
$95,000GENERAL
BRIDLE LANDS ASSOCIATION
$75,000GENERAL
NEWTOWN FOREST ASSOCIATION INC
$25,000GENERAL
SOUTH CENTRAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL
SAVE THE FROGS
$20,000GENERAL
DONORSCHOOSE
$20,000GENERAL
SCHENECTADY CITY SCHOOLS DISTRICT SHS
$15,000GENERAL
BEST ROBOTICS
$10,000GENERAL
WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
$10,000GENERAL
TINKERMILL
$5,000GENERAL
INNOVATION SPARK INC
$5,000GENERAL
NORWALK HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS CLUB
$5,000GENERAL
WESTLAKE AND EANES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL
TEWKSBURY MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS STEM
$5,000GENERAL
UNALLOCATED SPACE
$5,000GENERAL
ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS USA
$5,000GENERAL
HARTFORD HACKERSPACE INC
$5,000GENERAL
WALSH MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
$5,000GENERAL
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY 4 H FOUNDATION STEM
$5,000GENERAL
KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$5,000GENERAL