The MacDougal Family Foundation makes a small number of moderately sized general operating grants across a mix of local and international nonprofits, prioritizing direct service and program support rather than project-specific funding. Their giving spans faith-based social service work, international youth development/Philanthropy, and music/arts programming, suggesting interest in hands-on community impact and cultural or youth enrichment. Grants are few but substantive and unrestricted, indicating a preference for core support to trusted organizations.
Concentrated giving to a very small set of grantees (3 grants totaling $140k), providing general operating support rather than restricted project grants; mid-size single-year awards with both local and international geographic reach.
The Macdougal Family Foundation’s recent giving is marked by repeated general operating support to a small set of nonprofits, including Guiding Light Mission for $60,000 in 2025 and Next Generation Bulgaria Fund for $45,000 the same year. That pattern points to a funder that favors core support over restricted project grants and returns to organizations it already knows. Its portfolio includes faith-based service work, international youth and diaspora-oriented philanthropy, and arts-related organizations, with grants reaching community institutions, policy groups, and cultural programs. A few recipients appear more than once across recent years, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. A Song for You received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Next Generation Bulgaria Fund and Macdougall of Dunollie also show up in more than one year. The foundation’s grants range from local service organizations to universities and arts institutions, including The University of Chicago, USC School of Dramatic Arts, and American Culture Foundation. Across the list, the grants are generally general operating support, indicating emphasis on organizational stability and flexible use of funds.
Faith-based social service work appears prominently in the foundation’s grant list. In 2025, it gave $60,000 to Guiding Light Mission for general operating support, and it also supported First Presbyterian Church of Lake F with $5,000. International and diaspora-oriented giving is another clear theme. The foundation awarded $45,000 to Next Generation Bulgaria Fund in 2025 and had supported the same organization with $30,000 in 2023 and $5,000 in 2024. Arts and cultural programming also receive support. A Song for You was awarded $35,000 in 2025, after grants of $25,000 in 2024 and $24,200 in 2023. The foundation also funded USC School of Dramatic Arts with $10,000 in 2023, $5,000 in 2024, and $5,000 in 2025.
The reported grant-size distribution is tightly clustered: p25 is $1,000, median is $1,000, and p75 is $2,500. That small typical range sits alongside a few larger operating grants, which makes the overall pattern look like a mix of modest awards and occasional larger commitments. The foundation is a family foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recent grants show repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including A Song for You, Next Generation Bulgaria Fund, Macdougall of Dunollie, and USC School of Dramatic Arts. The grants appear to be awarded as general operating support rather than through a public application process.
$589K
$1.7M
$606K
$287K
Most grants fall between $1K and $3K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$3K
About 43% of grants go to recipients in TX.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Macdougal Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 169 | $572K | 98.3% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 3 | $17K |
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Notable grantees: Guiding Light Mission, Next Generation Bulgaria Fund, A Song For You
The foundation gives nationally, but most grants go to recipients in Illinois, which accounts for 43% of grants. Recent recipients in Illinois include Chicago, Wilmette, Evanston, and Lake Forest. Outside the state, grants also went to Grand Rapids, New York, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Port Orchard. The recipient-country mix is overwhelmingly U.S.-based: 169 grants, or 98.3%, went to U.S. organizations, with 3 grants to the UK.
Its recent grants support faith-based community social services, international youth and diaspora-oriented work, and music or arts programming. Examples in the data include Guiding Light Mission, Next Generation Bulgaria Fund, and A Song for You, all funded as general operating support.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years. A Song for You received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Next Generation Bulgaria Fund appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and USC School of Dramatic Arts appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The typical grant is small: p25 is $1,000, median is $1,000, and p75 is $2,500. Recent grant records also show occasional larger operating grants, including awards of $60,000, $45,000, and $35,000.
Grantmaking is national, but Illinois receives the largest share of grants at 43%. Recent Illinois recipients include organizations in Chicago, Wilmette, Evanston, and Lake Forest.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
1.7% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUIDING LIGHT MISSION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| NEXT GENERATION BULGARIA FUND | BRONXVILLE, NY | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| A SONG FOR YOU | NEW YORK, NY | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| BARRY A MURPHY FUND | SAN ANSELMO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| WIREPOINTS | WILMETTE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| THE HISTORY CENTER | EVANSTON, IL | $7,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LAKE F | LAKE FOREST, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| USC SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| CITADEL THEATER | LAKE FOREST, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS INC | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF LAKE FOREST PARKS & REC | LAKE FOREST, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| HEARTSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| SHARON K HARVEY MEMORIAL FOUNDATIO | BALTIMORE, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| HUDSON INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| LAKE FOREST OPEN LAND | LAKE FOREST, IL | $3,900 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| PROJECT HOOD HELPING OTHERS | CHICAGO, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| URBANGLASS | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,800 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| BE THE DIFFERENCE | DALLAS, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DE | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| ANIMAL EDUCATION AND RESCUE | LIBERTYVILLE, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| CLAIRMONT INST | UPLAND, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| LYRIC OPERA CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS INSTIT | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION - CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| THE METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| VNS HEALTH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,250 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| MANHATTAN INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE CO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| FOUNDER NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSH | LAKE FOREST, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| MACDOUGALL OF DUNOLLIE | OBAN | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| FIRE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| NEW ALTERNATIVES FOR CHILDREN | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| ST THOMAS CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| THE ALEX FUND | TARRYTOWN, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| SCHOOL OF AMERICAN BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| FRICK MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| INDEPENDENT WOMEN'S FORUM | WINCHESTER, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| STATE POLICY NETWORK | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| FORWARD MOMENTUM CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| MAKE A WISH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK CITY BALLET | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
| GEORGE MASON FOUNDATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT |
GUIDING LIGHT MISSION
$60,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
NEXT GENERATION BULGARIA FUND
$45,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
A SONG FOR YOU
$35,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
BARRY A MURPHY FUND
$25,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
WIREPOINTS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
THE HISTORY CENTER
$7,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LAKE F
$5,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
USC SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ARTS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
CITADEL THEATER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF LAKE FOREST PARKS & REC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
HEARTSIDE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
SHARON K HARVEY MEMORIAL FOUNDATIO
$5,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
HUDSON INSTITUTE
$4,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
LAKE FOREST OPEN LAND
$3,900GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
PROJECT HOOD HELPING OTHERS
$3,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
URBANGLASS
$3,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
$2,800GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
BE THE DIFFERENCE
$2,500GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
$2,500GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
REGISTRY OF INTERPRETERS FOR THE DE
$2,500GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
ANIMAL EDUCATION AND RESCUE
$2,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$2,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
CLAIRMONT INST
$2,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
LYRIC OPERA CHICAGO
$2,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS INSTIT
$2,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
$2,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION - CHICAGO
$2,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA
$1,500GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
VNS HEALTH
$1,250GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
MANHATTAN INSTITUTE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE CO
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
FOUNDER NEIGHBORHOOD ENTREPRENEURSH
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
MACDOUGALL OF DUNOLLIE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
FIRE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
NEW ALTERNATIVES FOR CHILDREN
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
ST THOMAS CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
THE ALEX FUND
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
SCHOOL OF AMERICAN BALLET
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
HILLSDALE COLLEGE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
FRICK MUSEUM
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
INDEPENDENT WOMEN'S FORUM
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
STATE POLICY NETWORK
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
FORWARD MOMENTUM CHICAGO
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
MAKE A WISH
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
NEW YORK CITY BALLET
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
GEORGE MASON FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT