The Macdonald Foundation concentrates its philanthropy in north-central Wisconsin, making a small number of relatively large grants to local institutions that support community welfare, children's health, and private school scholarships. Their giving favors place-based organizations—regional community foundations, local health systems (notably Children's Miracle Network partners), and independent K–12 schooling—suggesting a focus on enhancing quality of life in their home region.
A defining feature of The Macdonald Foundation C/O Mark and Donna Macdonald is its repeated support for community institutions in north-central Wisconsin, especially organizations tied to children’s health, youth services, and local quality of life. In 2025, its largest listed grant went to the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin for various organization donations to enhance the quality of life in the region, a pattern that echoes earlier gifts to the same foundation in 2024 and 2023. The foundation also backed Marshfield Clinic Health System and Marshfield Clinic Health Foundation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals work serving local sick and injured children, showing a consistent interest in pediatric care through regional health partners. Beyond health, the funder supports place-based organizations that serve families and students, including Boys & Girls Club of Wausau for youth services, Newman Catholic Schools for education, and the Women's Community for general support. Its portfolio also includes support for community amenities and cultural or educational programming through Monk Botanical Gardens, the Children's Imaginarium, and the Performing Arts Foundation. The overall picture is of a funder that favors local institutions with direct service roles and community-facing missions.
One clear theme is pediatric and family health. The foundation gave $95,000 to Marshfield Clinic Health System in 2024 and $75,000 to Marshfield Clinic Health Foundation in 2025, both for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals work helping local sick and injured children. Youth development is another recurring area: it gave $30,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Wausau in 2025 and $20,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Wisconsin in 2025 for youth mentoring and services. Education appears in several forms. In 2025, Newman Catholic Schools received $22,500 for education, while Rolling Hills Preparatory School received $75,000 in 2023 for a scholarship fund and annual fund. The foundation also supports community space and services, as shown by $50,000 to Community Partners Campus Inc in 2023 for leasing space to other tax-exempt organizations at below-market rates.
$690K
$12.3M
$1.1M
$751K
Most grants fall between $3K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Concentrated: few (4) relatively large grants totaling $349,500, directed chiefly to local/regional nonprofits; support appears focused and seasonal rather than broadly distributed, with multiple grants aligning to the same local health mission.
Notable grantees: Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield Clinic Health Foundation, Rolling Hills Preparatory School
Grant sizes are modest to mid-sized: the typical grant is $2,605 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also shows larger exceptions, including five-figure awards and recurring support over multiple years. Several recipients reappear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, Boys & Girls Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Wisconsin, and Newman Catholic Schools, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation funds individuals and operates with a regional scope. Its pattern is institution-based and place-oriented, with support often directed to operating needs, scholarships, general support, or community infrastructure.
Giving is heavily centered in Wisconsin: 71% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the most frequent recipient state is WA. Wausau appears often in the recent grants list, including Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, Bridge Streeet Mission, Monk Botanical Gardens, Children’s Imaginarium, and the Performing Arts Foundation. Other Wisconsin recipients include Marshfield, Oconomowoc, and several North Central Wisconsin organizations. Outside Wisconsin, the foundation also gives to California institutions in Palos Verdes Estates and Downey, and to New York and Maryland recipients tied to diabetes research and support.
The foundation backs local institutions serving children, families, and community life. Recent grants include support for community foundations, pediatric health partners, youth mentoring groups, schools, shelter services, and community spaces such as botanical gardens and a campus that leases below-market space to other nonprofits.
Yes. The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Boys & Girls Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Central Wisconsin appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Newman Catholic Schools appears in 2024 and 2025. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships.
The 25th percentile grant is $2,605, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Recent awards also show larger grants, including five-figure gifts to regional nonprofits and schools.
Most grants go to Wisconsin recipients, with 71% of grants given to organizations in the HQ state. The most frequent recipient state is WA, and Wausau shows up repeatedly among recipient cities.
Yes. Recent grants include $75,000 to Rolling Hills Preparatory School for a scholarship fund and annual fund, $55,000 and $52,500 to St Pius X St Matthias for the same purpose, and $22,500 to Newman Catholic Schools for education.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN | WAUSAU, WI | $67,750 | 2026 | VARIOUS ORGANIZATION DONATIONS - TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR REGION |
| ST PIUS X ST MATTHIAS | DOWNEY, CA | $57,500 | 2026 | FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FUND |
| ASPIRUS HEALTH FOUNDATION | WAUSAU, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT ASPIRUS HEALTH AND ITS MISSION TO HEAL PEOPLE, PROMOTE HEALTH AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES |
| MARSHFILED CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION | MARSHFIELD, WI | $50,000 | 2026 | HELPS CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS CONTINUE THEIR MISSION OF HELPING LOCAL SICK AND INJURED CHILDREN |
| WAUSAU & MARATHON COUNTY PARKS RECREATION & FORESTRY DEPARTMENT | WAUSAU, WI | $40,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE TURF PROJECT AT ATHLETIC PARK |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF WAUSAU | WAUSAU, WI | $30,000 | 2026 | SERVICES FOR YOUTH |
| THE NEIGHBOR'S PLACE | WAUSAU, WI | $28,500 | 2026 | HOMEGROWN COMMUNITY CENTER PROVIDING A HAND UP TO RESIDENTS OF MARATHON COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES |
| THE WOMEN'S COMMUNITY | WAUSAU, WI | $27,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MONK BOTANICAL GARDENS | WAUSAU, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | CURATE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS AND DELIVER ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| NEWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | WAUSAU, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT EDUCATION |
| BRIDGE STREET MISSION | WAUSAU, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | PROVIDING QUALITY MEALS AND SAFE SHELTER FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY |
| GREATER WAUSAU PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP | WAUSAU, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION | WAUSAU, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN THE PERFORMING ARTS IN NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN | WAUSAU, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | MENTORING THE YOUTH IN THE WAUSAU COMMUNITY |
| ROGERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | OCONOMOWOC, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | WAUSAU, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | TO HELP PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO MEET HUMAN NEEDS |
| CHILDREN'S LMAGINARIUM | WAUSAU, WI | $15,000 | 2026 | INSPIRE AND DISCOVERY AND IMAGINATION THROUGH HANDSON EXPLORATION AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES |
| WISCONSIN AUTOMOTIVE AND TRUCK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | WAUSAU, WI | $13,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO OVERCOME TRANSPORTATION OBSTACLES |
| COMMUNITY CENTER OF HOPE | MOSINEE, WI | $12,500 | 2026 | FOOD PANTRY |
| DC EVEREST SCHOOL DISTRICT | SCHOFIELD, WI | $12,200 | 2026 | TO HELP WITH ACADEMICS |
| WAUSAU SCHOOL DISTRICT | WAUSAU, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | HELP WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | HELPS AMERICAN RED CROSS CONTINUE THEIR MISSION OF PREVENTING AND ALLEVIATING HUMAN SUFFERING IN THE FACE OF EMERGENCIES |
| CALIFORNIA INDIAN MANPOWER CONSORTIUM | SACRAMENTO, CA | $7,000 | 2026 | HELPING CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE FOR NATIVE COMMUNITIES |
| K-TECH CHARITIES | WESTON, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | PROVIDED SUPPORT TO THE AREA'S NEEDY FAMILIES AND OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF THE NORTHWESTERN GREAT LAKES | APPLETON, WI | $5,500 | 2026 | HELP PROVIDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, SCHOLARSHIPS, TOOLS FOR VOLUNTEERS, AND A RICH COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT |
| CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR KIDS, CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS RELY ON DONATIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT |
| ST VINCENT DEPAUL | WAUSAU, WI | $5,000 | 2026 | MEN AND WOMEN WHO STRIVE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY BY OFFERING PERSON-TO-PERSON SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS IN NEED |
| ROGER'S HOUSE OF MISSIONS | WESTON, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | TO HELP CANCER PATIENTS |
| EVEREST FASTPITCH SOFTBALL | SCHOFIELD, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE FASTPITCH SOFTBALL PROGRAM |
| CHATTERBOX CHARITIES | WAUSAU, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARATHON COUNTY 4-H LEADERS FEDERATION | WAUSAU, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | HELP TO AID WITH THE VARIOUS YOUTH PROGRAMS AND CAMPS |
| SAMOSET COUNCIL SCOUTS OF AMERICA | WESTON, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | VALUES BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| EVEREST AREA YOUTH BASEBALL | WESTON, WI | $3,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM |
| SCHOOL DIST OF EDGAR | EDGAR, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR A WALK IN THEIR SHOES |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF WISCONSIN | WAUSAU, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT TITAN BUSINESS CHALLENGE |
| IDAHO FOODBANK | MERIDIAN, ID | $2,000 | 2026 | FOODBANK |
| MOSINEE GIRLS BUCKET BACKERS | MOSINEE, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE GIRLS BASKETBALL PROGRAM |
| HOLY APOSTLES CATHOLIC CHURCH | MERIDIAN, ID | $1,000 | 2026 | FOOD PANTRY |
| WAUSAU POLICE DEPARTMENT | WAUSAU, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOSINEE YOUTH BASEBALL | MOSINEE, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM |
| EAGLE COMMUNITY FOODBANK | EAGLE, ID | $1,000 | 2026 | FOODBANK |
| STEVENS POINT SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION INC | STEVENS POINT, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION |
| ATHENS SOFTBALL | ATHENS, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE SOFTBALL PROGRAM |
| MERRILL FASTPITCH | MERRILL, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | TO HELP THE FASTPITCH PROGRAM |
| Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin | WAUSAU, WI | $104,500 | 2025 | VARIOUS ORGANIZATION DONATIONS - TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR REGION |
| Marshfield Clinic Health Foundation | MARSHFIELD, WI | $75,000 | 2025 | HELPS CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS CONTINUE THEIR MISSION OF HELPING LOCAL SICK AND INJURED CHILDREN |
| Bridge Streeet Mission | WAUSAU, WI | $55,000 | 2025 | PROVIDING QUALITY MEALS AND SAFE SHELTER FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY |
| St Pius X St Matthias | DOWNEY, CA | $55,000 | 2025 | FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FUND |
| Performing Arts Foundation | WAUSAU, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN THE PERFORMING ARTS IN NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN |
VARIOUS ORGANIZATION DONATIONS - TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR REGION
ST PIUS X ST MATTHIAS
$57,500FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FUND
SUPPORT ASPIRUS HEALTH AND ITS MISSION TO HEAL PEOPLE, PROMOTE HEALTH AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES
MARSHFILED CLINIC HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION
$50,000HELPS CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS CONTINUE THEIR MISSION OF HELPING LOCAL SICK AND INJURED CHILDREN
WAUSAU & MARATHON COUNTY PARKS RECREATION & FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
$40,000TO HELP THE TURF PROJECT AT ATHLETIC PARK
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF WAUSAU
$30,000SERVICES FOR YOUTH
THE NEIGHBOR'S PLACE
$28,500HOMEGROWN COMMUNITY CENTER PROVIDING A HAND UP TO RESIDENTS OF MARATHON COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
BREAKTHROUGH T1D
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MONK BOTANICAL GARDENS
$25,000CURATE BEAUTIFUL GARDENS AND DELIVER ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
NEWMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$25,000SUPPORT EDUCATION
BRIDGE STREET MISSION
$25,000PROVIDING QUALITY MEALS AND SAFE SHELTER FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY
GREATER WAUSAU PROSPERITY PARTNERSHIP
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
$25,000PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN THE PERFORMING ARTS IN NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN
$20,000MENTORING THE YOUTH IN THE WAUSAU COMMUNITY
ROGERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SALVATION ARMY
$15,000TO HELP PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO MEET HUMAN NEEDS
CHILDREN'S LMAGINARIUM
$15,000INSPIRE AND DISCOVERY AND IMAGINATION THROUGH HANDSON EXPLORATION AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
WISCONSIN AUTOMOTIVE AND TRUCK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
$13,000TO ASSIST FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO OVERCOME TRANSPORTATION OBSTACLES
COMMUNITY CENTER OF HOPE
$12,500FOOD PANTRY
DC EVEREST SCHOOL DISTRICT
$12,200TO HELP WITH ACADEMICS
WAUSAU SCHOOL DISTRICT
$10,000HELP WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS
HELPS AMERICAN RED CROSS CONTINUE THEIR MISSION OF PREVENTING AND ALLEVIATING HUMAN SUFFERING IN THE FACE OF EMERGENCIES
CALIFORNIA INDIAN MANPOWER CONSORTIUM
$7,000HELPING CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE FOR NATIVE COMMUNITIES
K-TECH CHARITIES
$6,000PROVIDED SUPPORT TO THE AREA'S NEEDY FAMILIES AND OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGS
HELP PROVIDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, SCHOLARSHIPS, TOOLS FOR VOLUNTEERS, AND A RICH COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR KIDS, CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS RELY ON DONATIONS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
ST VINCENT DEPAUL
$5,000MEN AND WOMEN WHO STRIVE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY BY OFFERING PERSON-TO-PERSON SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS IN NEED
ROGER'S HOUSE OF MISSIONS
$3,000TO HELP CANCER PATIENTS
EVEREST FASTPITCH SOFTBALL
$3,000TO HELP THE FASTPITCH SOFTBALL PROGRAM
CHATTERBOX CHARITIES
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARATHON COUNTY 4-H LEADERS FEDERATION
$3,000HELP TO AID WITH THE VARIOUS YOUTH PROGRAMS AND CAMPS
SAMOSET COUNCIL SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$3,000VALUES BASED YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
EVEREST AREA YOUTH BASEBALL
$3,000TO HELP THE YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM
SCHOOL DIST OF EDGAR
$2,500SUPPORT FOR A WALK IN THEIR SHOES
MOSINEE GIRLS BUCKET BACKERS
$1,000TO HELP THE GIRLS BASKETBALL PROGRAM
HOLY APOSTLES CATHOLIC CHURCH
$1,000FOOD PANTRY
WAUSAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MOSINEE YOUTH BASEBALL
$1,000TO HELP THE YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM
EAGLE COMMUNITY FOODBANK
$1,000FOODBANK
STEVENS POINT SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION INC
$1,000TO HELP THE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
ATHENS SOFTBALL
$1,000TO HELP THE SOFTBALL PROGRAM
MERRILL FASTPITCH
$1,000TO HELP THE FASTPITCH PROGRAM
VARIOUS ORGANIZATION DONATIONS - TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR REGION
Marshfield Clinic Health Foundation
$75,000HELPS CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS CONTINUE THEIR MISSION OF HELPING LOCAL SICK AND INJURED CHILDREN
Bridge Streeet Mission
$55,000PROVIDING QUALITY MEALS AND SAFE SHELTER FOR THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY
St Pius X St Matthias
$55,000FOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE SCHOOL'S ANNUAL FUND
Performing Arts Foundation
$50,000PROMOTE EXCELLENCE IN THE PERFORMING ARTS IN NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN