OVERVIEW: The Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund supports Oregon nonprofits in the areas of arts and culture, human services, community development, education, and medicine.
IP TAKE: The Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund is a low-profile funder that makes mostly modest, but sometimes very large, grants in the state of Oregon. For all interest areas, grantmaking stays in Oregon. Causes that benefit children are a top priority.
MCMF is not the most transparent or accessible funder. Its website highlights a few select grantees, some with extended descriptions, but it is far from giving you the whole picture of its grantmaking efforts. You will have to seek out its tax filings to get a full view of the types of organizations it has supported in the past. Moreover, it conducts its grantmaking exclusively by invitation, and does not welcome letters of inquiry or other efforts to solicit such an invitation. Applicants must be sponsored by a board member, but how one is supposed to obtain that sponsorship is not clear. Organizations that do good, consistent work around Oregon may have a chance at winding up on this funder’s radar.
PROFILE: The Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund (MCMF) is based in Bend, Oregon, and was established as a private grantmaking foundation in 1970. It seeks to “assist organizations in achieving sustainability of programs and services through increased fundraising capacity.” Maybelle Clark Macdonald was born in Portland and lived until 2009. She was part of a successful entrepreneurial and philanthropic family, and she founded what has become the Loaves & Fishes Meals on Wheels program. Clark had a deep interest in helping women, children, the poor, and the homeless of her community. Funding priorities include cultural arts, human services, education, and medical. The funder seeks to keep local programs and services sustainable by boosting fundraising capacity.
Grants for Arts & Culture:
MCMF makes grants for arts and culture through its Arts funding area. The foundation supports performing arts, art museums, cultural centers, arts education, and other cultural initiatives. One featured recipient is the Beaverton Arts Foundation, which received ongoing funding to construct the 550-seat Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton, Portland metro-area. Other past grantees include Oregon Symphony, Portland Art Museum, and Sisters Folk Festival.
Grants for Education and Youth:
MCMF makes grants for education and youth causes through its education and public benefit funding areas. The foundation supports local schools, colleges, and education-related non-profits, as well as youth programs, outreach, and out-of-school activities. One featured recipient is Harper’s Playground, which received funding to construct more inclusive children’s playgrounds in parks throughout the area. Other past grantees include Jream Foundation, Open School, and Evans Scholars Foundation.
Grants for Public Health:
MCMF makes grants for public health through its medical and human services funding areas. The foundation supports efforts to address homelessness, hunger, violence, poverty, public health, and health care access. One featured recipient is Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers, which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing, as well as other resources for the homeless. It has also supported American Red Cross Cascades Region, with funding for blood donation equipment and other resources. Other past grantees include Oregon Food Bank, Partners in Care, Council on Aging of Central Oregon, Community Health Clinics, Hopewell House, Shepherds House, and Clackamas Women’s Services.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range all the way from $5,000 to $500,000, although most remain under $200,000. MCMF only highlights select grantees on its website, but grantseekers may review the foundation’s tax filings for more information on what organizations it has previously funded.
MCMF’s grants are restricted to the state of Oregon. Grantmaking appears to slightly prioritize giving around Bend, Oregon, where its offices are located.
Its stated focus areas run the gamut of community needs, funding food for the homeless, medical equipment, youth mentoring, alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities, and elementary and secondary schools.
MCMF has also made grants to universities, arts organizations, and programs for abused women and children.
It has prioritized funding that benefits children, such as scholarship assistance, youth arts immersion programs, summer job programs, and organizations that serve the needs of disabled youth.
MCMF conducts its grantmaking by invitation only. Applicants must obtain a sponsorship from a member of the board of directors before applying. The foundation does not provide individual contact information or any way to solicit sponsorships.
Grantmaking is conducted in two grant cycles per year. The Spring cycle has a final deadline on April 15, while the Fall cycle ends on October 15.
Direct general questions to the staff in Bend at information@mcmfund.org.
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