The Mary Gaylord McClean Foundation appears to make targeted, high-impact gifts to established national humanitarian organizations. With the single reported grant supporting the American Red Cross’ general operations, the foundation signals a preference for funding emergency response and broad humanitarian relief delivered by large, professional nonprofits.
Concentrated, one-time/lump-sum support: a single mid-size ($50k) grant to a major national organization rather than many small or geographically diverse grants.
Notable grantees: American Red Cross
The Mary Gaylord Mcclean Foundation (formerly Mary Gaylord Foundation) shows a clear preference for general operating support, with repeated grants to the same nonprofits across multiple years. That pattern appears in its backing of Upside Therapeutic in Louisville, which received gifts in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and in continuing support for Woody Williams Foundation in Louisville, which appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 as well. The foundation also makes larger one-time gifts to established organizations, including a $50,000 grant to the American Red Cross for general operations in 2025. Its portfolio mixes humanitarian relief, therapy and service organizations, and community-based nonprofits, all funded through unrestricted operating support rather than restricted project grants. The recipients in the recent grants list include local Kentucky organizations as well as groups in Washington, DC, Missouri, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and beyond, suggesting a regional giving pattern with select national and out-of-state relationships. Across the list, the foundation’s style is consistent: practical support for organizations it appears to know well, often through repeat awards over several years.
Emergency relief is one of the foundation’s clearest themes. In 2025, it gave $50,000 to American Red Cross for general operations, following $35,000 and $20,000 grants in earlier years to the same organization. That indicates sustained support for disaster response capacity rather than a one-off contribution. The foundation also funds therapy and care-oriented services: Upside Therapeutic in Louisville received $48,000 in 2025, $48,000 in 2024, and $45,000 in 2023, all for general operations. Community-serving local groups appear as well. Operation Care Inc received $30,000 in 2023 and $20,000 in 2025, both for general operations, while Corpus Christi Classical Academy received $35,000 in 2024 for general operations. These grants point to a mix of humanitarian, therapeutic, educational, and local service support.
Typical grant sizes cluster in the mid-range: p25 is $5,000, median is $7,500, and p75 is $20,000. The recent grants list shows a different layer of larger operating gifts above that distribution, including multiple awards at $20,000, $30,000, $35,000, $45,000, $48,000, and $50,000. The pattern is recurring rather than purely one-off: several organizations appear in multiple years, including Upside Therapeutic, Green Hill Therapy, Woody Williams Foundation, Saddlebred Rescue Inc, Horsesensing Inc, and Operation Care Inc. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. All recent grants are listed as general operations, which aligns with core-capacity support.
$405K
$10.6M
$1.1M
$418K
Most grants fall between $5K and $20K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Grantmaking is concentrated in the United States, and the recent grants list shows a strong Kentucky presence alongside select out-of-state recipients. Louisville appears repeatedly, with recipients such as Upside Therapeutic, Green Hill Therapy, Kentucky Humane Society, and Woody Williams Foundation. Shelbyville also shows up multiple times, including Operation Care Inc, Horsesensing Inc, and Awake Ministries. Other recipient locations include Washington, DC; Hardwick, NJ; Ashland, MO; Elsberry, MO; Norman, OK; and Independence, KY. The foundation gives most often in North Carolina by grant count, while 51% of its grants go to recipients in Kentucky.
The recent grants are all listed as general operations, indicating a preference for unrestricted operating support. The foundation also has a pattern of repeat awards to the same organizations across multiple years, such as Upside Therapeutic, Woody Williams Foundation, and Green Hill Therapy.
Typical grant sizes are $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $7,500 at the median, and $20,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger operating gifts of $30,000, $35,000, $45,000, $48,000, and $50,000.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Upside Therapeutic, Green Hill Therapy, Woody Williams Foundation, Saddlebred Rescue Inc, Horsesensing Inc, and Operation Care Inc. That suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with selected grantees rather than making only one-time awards.
By grant count, the top state is North Carolina. Kentucky also receives a large share of grants, accounting for 51% of the foundation’s grants, and the recent grants list shows multiple recipients in Louisville and Shelbyville.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UPSIDE THERAPEUTIC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $48,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREEN HILL THERAPY | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COACH STONE NONPROFIT FOUNDATION INC | SIMPSONVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WOODY WILLIAMS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HORSESENSING INC | SHELBYVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FIELDSTONE FARM FOUNDATION INC | ELSBERRY, MO | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION CARE INC | SHELBYVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SADDLEBRED RESCUE INC | HARDWICK, NJ | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE HEART THAT GIVES FOUNDATION | ASHLAND, MO | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DREAMSCAPE INC | EAGLEVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM | LEXINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NEXUS EQUINE | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THERAPEUTIC RIDING INCORPORATED OF LOUISVILLE | SIMPSONVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE SANCTUARY AT BLACKHORSE MANOR INC | PLEASUREVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KENTUCKY HORSE PARK FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOUNDING SONS MC INC | CENTRAL ISLIP, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VICTORY FARM | GASTONIA, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TEEN RECOVERY SOLUTIONS | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CASA OF THE RIVER REGION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CENTRAL KENTUCKY RIDING FOR HOPE | LEXINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JARRETT'S JOY CART OF LOUISVILLE | LEXINGTON, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SHELBY COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER | HARLAN, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PEOPLE & ANIMAL LEARNING SERVICES | BLOOMINGTON, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNITED STATES EQUESTRIAN TEAM FOUNDATION INC | GLADSTONE, NJ | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES | WASHINGTON, DC | $250 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UPSIDE THERAPEUTIC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $48,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CORPUS CHRISTI CLASSICAL ACADEMY | SIMPSONVILLE, KY | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREEN HILL THERAPY | LOUISVILLE, KY | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| VETERANS RURAL OUTREACH | FINCHVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SADDLEBRED RESCUE INC | HARDWICK, NJ | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KENTUCKY HUMANE SOCIETY | LOUISVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MILESTONES INC | INDEPENDENCE, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WOODY WILLIAMS FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HORSESENSING INC | SHELBYVILLE, KY | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE HEART THAT GIVES FOUNDATION | ASHLAND, MO | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| THE SANCTUARY AT BLACKHORSE MANOR INC | PLEASUREVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION | NORMAN, OK | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION CARE INC | SHELBYVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KENTUCKY HORSE PARK FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM | LEXINGTON, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TYSON'S CHANCE ANIMAL FOUNDATION | SHELBYVILLE, KY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TEEN RECOVERY SOLUTIONS | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN HACKNEY HORSE SOCIETY FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FOUNDING SONS MC INC | CENTRAL ISLIP, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CENTRAL KENTUCKY RIDING FOR HOPE | LEXINGTON, KY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FRANKLIN PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY | FRANKLIN, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SHELBY COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER | HARLAN, IA | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
UPSIDE THERAPEUTIC
$48,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GREEN HILL THERAPY
$30,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
COACH STONE NONPROFIT FOUNDATION INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WOODY WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GENERAL OPERATIONS
FIELDSTONE FARM FOUNDATION INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
OPERATION CARE INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE HEART THAT GIVES FOUNDATION
$18,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DREAMSCAPE INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
THERAPEUTIC RIDING INCORPORATED OF LOUISVILLE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE SANCTUARY AT BLACKHORSE MANOR INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FOUNDING SONS MC INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
VICTORY FARM
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CASA OF THE RIVER REGION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CENTRAL KENTUCKY RIDING FOR HOPE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
JARRETT'S JOY CART OF LOUISVILLE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SHELBY COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
PEOPLE & ANIMAL LEARNING SERVICES
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$2,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
UPSIDE THERAPEUTIC
$48,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CORPUS CHRISTI CLASSICAL ACADEMY
$35,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GREEN HILL THERAPY
$30,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
VETERANS RURAL OUTREACH
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
KENTUCKY HUMANE SOCIETY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MILESTONES INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WOODY WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE HEART THAT GIVES FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
THE SANCTUARY AT BLACKHORSE MANOR INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED MUSEUM
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
TYSON'S CHANCE ANIMAL FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN HACKNEY HORSE SOCIETY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FOUNDING SONS MC INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CENTRAL KENTUCKY RIDING FOR HOPE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FRANKLIN PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SHELBY COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS