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Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean Foundation Inc at a glance

· Private foundation

Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean Foundation Inc

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$1.5M
Granted FY2025still arriving
21
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$458k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$2.3MEducation$2.2MHealth$955kEnvironment$570kCrime & Legal$303kPhilanthropy$285kHuman Services$247kCommunity Improvement$215kOther$0
02FY2025 · 21 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k3 grants · $12k
  • $10k–50k12 grants · $258k
  • $50k–250k4 grants · $510k
  • $250k+2 grants · $708k
$21,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$26M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
METHODIST UNIVERSITY$458,001
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC$250,000
NC CIVIL WAR CENTER$200,000
FTCC FOUNDATION$175,400
CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN$70,001
FAYETTEVILLE AREA OPERATION INASMUCH$65,000
COMMUNITY CONCERTS OF FAYETTEVILLE NC$40,000
CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$35,000
CONNECTIONS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY$30,000
CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE$25,001
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER$21,000
MYROVER-REESE FELLOWSHIP HOMES INC$20,000
FAYETTEVILLE URBAN MINISTRY INC$20,000
FAYETTEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA$17,000
AMERICAN RED CROSS - SANDHILLS CHAPTER$15,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY20–22, $865k) land where the poverty rate runs at 16%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $467k → 16%CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $233k → 16%CAPE FEAR VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION: $150k → 16%ACTION PATHWAYS INC: $15k → 16%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

99%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$7.2M · 27 repeat orgs$62k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +9% since the first grant, against -7% for those funded once.

27 repeat relationships: 18 still active in FY2025, 9 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

27
4

Total granted

$7.2M
$32k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+9%
-7%

Still filing today

85%
50%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 98% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $30k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationHousing & ShelterHealthHuman ServicesEnvironmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MU
    METHODIST UNIVERSITY INC
    4× · 2020–2025 · $1.2M · revenue +27%
  • AA
    AIRBORNE AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS MUSEUM FOUNDATION
    4× · 2020–2023 · $700k · revenue +9%
  • CF
    CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN
    5× · 2020–2025 · $570k · revenue +35%

Funded once

  • AP
    ACTION PATHWAYS INC
    one grant, 2020 · $15k · revenue -7%
  • LS
    LAFAYETTE SOCIETY INC
    one grant, 2021 · $10k
  • BG
    BOYS & GIRLS HOME NC
    one grant, 2023 · $4k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
The Arts Council of Fayetteville Cumberland County Inc

The arts council connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development, and fosters lifelong learning through the arts.

—
2
Caldwell Arts Council Inc

To promote the arts in caldwell county, nc

—
3
Carolina Family Health Centers Inc

Carolina Family Health Centers, Inc. provides accessible and affordable health care with excellence...where patients come FIRST

—
4
Cape Fear Studios Incorporated

The mission is to promote the arts in the fayetteville/ cumberland county area of nc, by providing facilities and equipment for beginning artists, and by providing a marketplace for sales.

—
5
Community Foundation of Fayette County Pa

To build a stronger fayette county by inspiring charitable giving, supporting nonprofits, and nurturing positive community impact.

Philanthropy
6
Chamber Music Raleigh Inc

To enrich and connect individuals in the greater raleigh community through intimate and exceptional chamber music experiences. we are committed to presenting world class artists performing music of the highest caliber, providing…

Arts & Culture
7
Carolina Family Connections

Recruit and train and license foster parents to receive foster children from county government agencies.

Human Services
8
Foundation for the Carolinas

Inspiring philanthropy and strengthening our region through innovative community initiatives and quality services to donors and constituents.

Philanthropy
9
Center for Economic Empowerment and Development

To promote both small business and personal growth, productiveness and well being through loans, peer counseling, education, information, and other advocacy programs throughout cumberland county, north carolina.

—
10
North Carolina Symphony Foundation

To receive and hold the endowment of the north carolina symphony society, inc. (the "society"), solicit additions to the endowment, safeguard assets, and expend funds for the exclusive use and benefit of the society.

Arts & Culture
11
Carolina Youth Symphony

Carolina Youth Symphony provides professional training to young students and gives these students the opportunity to perform several public concerts throughout the year.

Arts & Culture
12
Conway Hospital Community Services

Conway hospital community services provides outpatient health care services to horry county and the surrounding community in conjunction with conway hospital, inc., a non-profit acute care hospital system.

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra Inc; the most unlike its peers is Heritage Square Historical Society of North Carolina Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

27 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 27 of the 34 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
6
Early backer (in before they grew)
27/27
Grantees still filing
16/27
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

METHODIST UNIVERSITY INC: $1,211,001 · EducationMETHODIST UNIVERSITY INCFAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC: $505,400 · EducationFAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY …FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $500,000 · EducationFAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY FOU…AIRBORNE AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS MUSEUM FOUNDATION: $700,000 · Arts & CultureAIRBORNE AND SPECIAL …CAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE AT FAYETTEVILLE INC: $325,001 · Arts & CultureCAPE FEAR REGIONAL TH…COOL SPRING DOWNTOWN DISTRICT INC: $200,000 · Arts & CultureCOOL SPRING DOWNTOWN …NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC: $90,000 · Arts & CultureNORTH CAROLINA SYMPHO…FAYETTEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC: $66,000 · Arts & Culture+2 more: $19,000 · Arts & CultureNC CIVIL WAR CENTER: $600,000 · OtherNC CIVIL WAR CENTERCOMMUNITY CONCERTS OF FAYETTEVILLE INCORPORATED: $175,000 · OtherCOMMUNITY CONCERTS OF FAYET…AMERICAN RED CROSS - SANDHILLS CHAPTER: $155,000 · OtherAMERICAN RED CROSS - SANDHI…THE ARTS COUNCIL INC: $150,000 · OtherTHE ARTS COUNCIL INCHERITAGE SQUARE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA INC: $130,000 · OtherHERITAGE SQUARE HISTORICAL …CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC: $285,000 · OtherCUMBERLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDA…FAYETTEVILLE URBAN MINISTRY INC: $115,500 · OtherFAYETTEVILLE URBAN MINISTRY…+10 more: $218,000 · Other+10 moreCAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $849,999 · Human ServicesCAPE FEAR VAL…+1 more: $15,000 · Human ServicesCAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN: $570,001 · EnvironmentFAYETTEVILLE AREA OPERATION INASMUCH: $219,941 · Housing & ShelterCONNECTIONS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY INC: $70,000 · Housing & ShelterFAYETTVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $55,000 · Housing & ShelterCHILD ADVOCACY CENTER INC: $303,000 · Crime & Legal
Education$2,216,401Arts & Culture$1,400,001Other$1,828,500Human Services$864,999Environment$570,001Housing & Shelter$344,941Crime & Legal$303,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMETHODIST UNIVERSITY INC: $1,211,001 over 4y, 0.5% of budgetCAPE FEAR VALLEY MEDICAL FOUNDATION: $849,999 over 3y, 22% of budgetAIRBORNE AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS MUSEUM FOUNDATION: $700,000 over 4y, 25% of budgetCAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN: $570,001 over 5y, 7.0% of budgetFAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC: $505,400 over 5y, 13% of budgetFAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $500,000 over 2y, 8.1% of budgetCAPE FEAR REGIONAL THEATRE AT FAYETTEVILLE INC: $325,001 over 6y, 3.3% of budgetCHILD ADVOCACY CENTER INC: $303,000 over 5y, 12% of budgetCUMBERLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC: $285,000 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetFAYETTEVILLE AREA OPERATION INASMUCH: $219,941 over 6y, 12% of budgetCOOL SPRING DOWNTOWN DISTRICT INC: $200,000 over 5y, 9.1% of budgetCOMMUNITY CONCERTS OF FAYETTEVILLE INCORPORATED: $175,000 over 5y, 10% of budgetTHE ARTS COUNCIL INC: $150,000 over 3y, 1.6% of budgetHERITAGE SQUARE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA INC: $130,000 over 3y, 84% of budgetFAYETTEVILLE URBAN MINISTRY INC: $115,500 over 6y, 1.3% of budgetNORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY SOCIETY INC: $90,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetCONNECTIONS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY INC: $70,000 over 4y, 5.0% of budgetFAYETTEVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC: $66,000 over 5y, 3.4% of budgetFAYETTVILLE AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $55,000 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetBETTER HEALTH OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY INC: $52,000 over 4y, 6.7% of budgetCAMP CORRAL: $38,500 over 5y, 0.8% of budgetVision Resource Center: $22,500 over 2y, 7.2% of budgetMYROVER-REESE FELLOWSHIP HOMES INC: $20,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetFAYETTEVILLE FAMILY LIFE CENTER IN: $18,000 over 2y, 11% of budgetCUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS: $16,500 over 6y, 5.2% of budgetACTION PATHWAYS INC: $15,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSANDHILLS FAMILY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION: $2,500 over 1y, 4.7% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Cumberland Community …Riddle Family Foundat…The Cannon Foundation…Florence Rogers Chari…Youth Growth Stock Tr…Carolyn Riddle Armstr…Sharlene R Williams F…Jp Riddle Charitable …Foundation for the Ca…Anonymous Trust U/A D…Duke Energy FoundationDavid & Elisabeth Nim…
Cumberland Community Foundation IncNC53.5× affinity23 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Cumberland Community Foundation Inc · Riddle Family Foundation · The Cannon Foundation Inc · Florence Rogers Charitable Trust · Youth Growth Stock Trust · Carolyn Riddle Armstrong Family Foundation · Sharlene R Williams Family Foundation · Jp Riddle Charitable Foundation Inc · Foundation for the Carolinas · Anonymous Trust U/A Dated 2-4-2008 · Duke Energy Foundation · David & Elisabeth Nimocks Foundation Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean Foundation Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean Foundation Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%6%23%51%90%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean Foundation Inc?

    Find your warmest path to Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean Foundation Inc through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 34 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Thomas R & Elizabeth E McLean’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home