The McKinnon Family Foundation concentrates its giving on education and advanced research, favoring independent schools, higher-education institutions, student-support initiatives, and a strong commitment to multidisciplinary scientific research. Grants are few but large, including repeat multi-year support to specialized research centers and significant one-off gifts to schools and university programs, with a geographic emphasis on California and New Mexico as well as national research institutions.
The McKinnon Family Foundation has made Santa Fe Institute a central anchor of its giving, backing the multidisciplinary study of complex adaptive systems with $1,000,000 in 2023 and follow-on grants of $500,000 in both 2024 and 2025. That repeated support sits alongside major education gifts to independent schools and universities, showing a pattern that combines research funding with school and student support. The foundation gave $1,250,000 to Marin Academy in 2023 and $1,100,000 to Ucsf Foundation in 2025, two of the largest grants in its recent record. Its grantmaking also includes higher-education institutions such as Brown University, Harvard University, Duke University, Occidental College, and the University of New Mexico Men’s Basketball program. The recipient list points to a mix of academic institutions, student-focused initiatives, and specialized research centers rather than a single programmatic model. In Santa Fe, the foundation also supported youth tennis and educational assistance through First Serve - New Mexico and Forked Lightning Raquet Club, adding a local children’s-development dimension to its otherwise institution-centered portfolio. Several grants are repeated across multiple years, suggesting durable relationships with selected grantees rather than one-time awards only.
Education is the broadest theme in the recent grants. The foundation gave $250,000 to iMentor in 2025 for education, $200,000 to Brown University in 2025 for education, and $100,000 to Harvard University in 2025 for education. It also funded independent and private-school education through $1,250,000 to Marin Academy in 2023. A separate track supports scientific and medical research. Santa Fe Institute received $500,000 in 2024 and another $500,000 in 2025 for the multidisciplinary study of complex adaptive systems, while Ucsf Foundation received $1,100,000 in 2025 for education and Ucsf received $250,000 in 2023 for education. Medical giving also appears in grants to University of Michigan - Lily Hannah Pediatric Brain Tumor Research and The Gpii Foundation. The foundation has also backed youth development in Santa Fe through tennis and life-skills programs, including First Serve - New Mexico and Forked Lightning Raquet Club.
$3.6M
$23.8M
$3.6M
$3.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 18% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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-value grants with a small number of recipients; repeat major funding to flagship research institution(s) alongside sizable single gifts to schools and university programs. Predominantly institutional grantees rather than many small community grants.
Notable grantees: Santa Fe Institute, Marin Academy, UCSF Foundation / UCSF, iMentor, University of New Mexico Men's Basketball
Typical recent grants are large relative to the overall portfolio: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $25,000, and p75 reaches $99,500. The distribution shows a few very large institutional gifts alongside smaller operating or program awards. Repeated support appears in several relationships, especially Santa Fe Institute, Ucsf Foundation, Brown University, Roger Federer Charitable Fund, and Life Spring Network across multiple years. The foundation is a Regular Funder and does not fund individuals. No application process is indicated in the provided data.
Giving is national, with grants going entirely to U.S. recipients in the data. New York leads by grant count, and recipients also cluster in California, New Mexico, and major university cities on the East Coast. Named locations include Santa Fe, San Francisco, Providence, Cambridge, Los Angeles, and Albuquerque. The only non-local country reference appears inside a grant purpose: educational projects in Southern Africa and Switzerland through the Roger Federer Charitable Fund.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on education and research. Examples include Marin Academy, Ucsf Foundation, Brown University, Harvard University, and Santa Fe Institute. The portfolio also includes student-support, youth-development, and medical-research grants.
Yes. Santa Fe Institute received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Ucsf Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Brown University appears in 2023 and 2025; Roger Federer Charitable Fund appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The stated distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $99,500 at the 75th percentile. That pattern sits below a set of much larger awards such as $1,250,000 and $1,100,000 in the recent record.
The top state by grant count is New York, and 18% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of New York. The recipient list also shows a strong presence in California and New Mexico.
A defining research focus is multidisciplinary complex-systems work. Santa Fe Institute received $1,000,000 in 2023, followed by $500,000 in 2024 and $500,000 in 2025 for the study of complex adaptive systems across physical, computational, biological, and social systems.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCSF FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,430,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| SANTA FE INSTITUTE | SANTA FE, NM | $500,000 | 2026 | DEDICATED TO THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL, COMPUTATIONAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS. |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $300,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| ROGER FEDERER CHARITABLE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $197,000 | 2026 | SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS LOCATED IN THE REGION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA AND SWITZERLAND. |
| FIRST SERVE - NEW MEXICO | SANTA FE, NM | $125,000 | 2026 | TO STRENGTHEN THE LIVES AND ENHANCE THE CHARACTER OF SANTA FE'S CHILDREN THROUGH EDUCATION, LIFE SKILLS, AND TENNIS. |
| STINSON BEACH VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ASSOC | STINSON BEACH, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $100,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| EAT LEARN PLAY FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT CHILDREN'S WELLBEING THROUGH NUTRITION, EDUCATION, AND SAFE PLAY OPPORTUNITIES. |
| PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM | PEORIA, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | ARTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO MENS BASKETBALL | ALBURQUERQUE, NM | $62,500 | 2026 | RAISES FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIPS, FACILITIES, PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| CONNECTED-THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR COLLEGE & CAREER | BERKELEY, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| ROAD RUNNER FOOD BANK OF NEW MEXICO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $50,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D | NEW YORK, NY | $43,333 | 2026 | MEDICAL |
| GOLDEN STATE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $41,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| LIFE SPRING NETWORK | ROSELLE, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY. |
| NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY TRUST TENNIS COURT PROJECT | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $26,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL | ARLINGTON, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SPOTLIGHT AND SECURE THE CRITICAL BENEFITS THAT NATURE PROVIDES TO HUMANITY BY PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES. |
| OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| COMMONWEALTH CLUB WORLD AFFAIRS OF CALIFORNIA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | CITIZEN EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT ON DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CIVIC AFFAIRS. |
| WESTMINISTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | TIBURON, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| EVERY MOTHER COUNTS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO MAKE PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH SAFE FOR EVERY MOTHER, EVERYWHERE. |
| HARPER FOR KIDS | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| JAMAICA YOUTH TENNIS FOUNDATION INC | KAMUELA, HI | $25,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| IMENTOR | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THE BATTERY FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO INCREASE CHARITABLE GIVING BY CONNECTING PHILANTHROPISTS WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND CAUSES THAT ADDRESS SOME OF SOCIETY'S TOUGHEST CHALLENGES. |
| NEIGHBORSHARE INC | RESTON, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| MEALS ON WHEELS-SAN FRANCISCO | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| WM KECK OBSERVATORY | KAMUELA, HI | $10,000 | 2026 | SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY |
| FISHER FRIENDLY CLIMATE ACTION FUND-(NOPI INC) | WALPOLE, MA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CLIMATE ACTION |
| HORIZONS NATIONAL | WESTPORT, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION NM CHAPTER | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $10,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL |
| PNOC FOUNDATION | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL |
| PASADENA HUMANE | PASADENA, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | CARE FOR ANIMALS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| BLUE ANGELS FOUNDATION | PENSACOLA, FL | $8,380 | 2026 | RESOLVING POST TRAUMATIC STRESS AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR VETERANS. |
| PARTNERS IN HEALTH | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL |
| BOB WOODRUFF FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO HELP VETERANS. |
| ANGLICAN DIOCESE IN NEW ENGLAND | AMESBURY, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| SAN FRANCISCO- MARIN FOOD BANK | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| ROBERT TOIGO FOUNDATION | OAKLAND, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| TEACHING MATTERS | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 11-99 FOUNDATION | COSTA MESA, CA | $4,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| KUKIO HO'OMANA FUND | KAILUA KONA, HI | $2,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| HARLEM GROWN | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| FAMILY HOUSE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $1,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| EXTRA FOODORG | KENTFIELD, CA | $1,500 | 2026 | RESCUE AND DELIVER FRESH, NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO AT-RISK CHILDREN, SENIORS AND FAMILIES IN NEED. |
| ANIMAL HUMANE NM | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $500 | 2026 | IMPROVING LIFES OF DOGS AND CATS. |
| MARIN COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| TIBURON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | TIBURON, CA | $250 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| ST MARY'S COLLEGE WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM FUND | MORAGA, CA | $250 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
UCSF FOUNDATION
$1,430,000EDUCATION
DEDICATED TO THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING PHYSICAL, COMPUTATIONAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS.
BROWN UNIVERSITY
$300,000EDUCATION
ROGER FEDERER CHARITABLE FUND
$197,000SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS LOCATED IN THE REGION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA AND SWITZERLAND.
FIRST SERVE - NEW MEXICO
$125,000TO STRENGTHEN THE LIVES AND ENHANCE THE CHARACTER OF SANTA FE'S CHILDREN THROUGH EDUCATION, LIFE SKILLS, AND TENNIS.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$100,000EDUCATION
SUPPORT CHILDREN'S WELLBEING THROUGH NUTRITION, EDUCATION, AND SAFE PLAY OPPORTUNITIES.
PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM
$100,000ARTS
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO MENS BASKETBALL
$62,500RAISES FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIPS, FACILITIES, PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
ROAD RUNNER FOOD BANK OF NEW MEXICO
$50,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
GOLDEN STATE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$41,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
LIFE SPRING NETWORK
$30,000CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY.
NEW MEXICO COMMUNITY TRUST TENNIS COURT PROJECT
$26,500COMMUNITY SERVICES
TO SPOTLIGHT AND SECURE THE CRITICAL BENEFITS THAT NATURE PROVIDES TO HUMANITY BY PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
CITIZEN EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT ON DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CIVIC AFFAIRS.
WESTMINISTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$25,000RELIGIOUS
TO MAKE PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH SAFE FOR EVERY MOTHER, EVERYWHERE.
HARPER FOR KIDS
$25,000EDUCATION
JAMAICA YOUTH TENNIS FOUNDATION INC
$25,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
TO INCREASE CHARITABLE GIVING BY CONNECTING PHILANTHROPISTS WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND CAUSES THAT ADDRESS SOME OF SOCIETY'S TOUGHEST CHALLENGES.
WM KECK OBSERVATORY
$10,000SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY
FISHER FRIENDLY CLIMATE ACTION FUND-(NOPI INC)
$10,000TO SUPPORT CLIMATE ACTION
HORIZONS NATIONAL
$10,000EDUCATION
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION NM CHAPTER
$10,000MEDICAL
PASADENA HUMANE
$10,000CARE FOR ANIMALS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$10,000COMMUNITY SERVICE
RESOLVING POST TRAUMATIC STRESS AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR VETERANS.
PARTNERS IN HEALTH
$5,000MEDICAL
ANGLICAN DIOCESE IN NEW ENGLAND
$5,000RELIGIOUS
SAN FRANCISCO- MARIN FOOD BANK
$5,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 11-99 FOUNDATION
$4,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
EXTRA FOODORG
$1,500RESCUE AND DELIVER FRESH, NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO AT-RISK CHILDREN, SENIORS AND FAMILIES IN NEED.
ANIMAL HUMANE NM
$500IMPROVING LIFES OF DOGS AND CATS.
MARIN COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE
$500COMMUNITY SERVICES
TIBURON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$250COMMUNITY SERVICES
ST MARY'S COLLEGE WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM FUND
$250EDUCATION