The James S. McDonnell Foundation is a St. Louis, Missouri based private philanthropic institution established in 1950 by aerospace pioneer James S. McDonnell to “improve the quality of life.” It does so by contributing to the generation of new knowledge through support of research and scholarship, and by encouraging knowledge-based solutions to important societal issues, especially in the St. Louis region.
Established in 1950 as the McDonnell Foundation and renamed the James S. McDonnell Foundation in 1984 in honor of its Founder, the Foundation has pursued its goals by supporting scientific, educational and charitable causes locally, nationally, and internationally.
Beginning with the tenure of President Emeritus John T. Bruer, the Foundation began to structure itself in such a way as to support scholarly research and collaboration. By providing funding in such fields as cognitive education and neuroscience, the Foundation sought to improve the quality of life for generations to come by providing the financial backbone of the discoveries of today. In 1999, the Foundation awarded 10 Centennial Fellowships in honor of "Mr. Mac's" 100th birthday in 5 separate fields.
Today, the James S. McDonnell Foundation continues to pursue the vision of the late Mr. Mac through its 21st Century Science Initiative. By supporting scholarly pursuits in fields such as human cognition and complex systems, the Foundation continues to seek out scholarly fields that hold promise and potential for future generations.
Since its inception, the McDonnell Foundation has awarded over $450M in grants. The Foundation does not publish an annual report. The most recent information available about the Foundation's financial position can be found here.
The Foundation's 990-PF can be accessed on the Foundation Center's website: foundationcenter.org, or contact us to receive the latest version by email.
The Late James S. McDonnell, aviation pioneer and visionary founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, left an indelible stamp on his industry, St. Louis, and Washington University. Among the first university-trained aeronautical engineers, he was a powerful advocate for excellence in teaching and research.
"Mr. Mac" served Washington University as Trustee and Board Chair in the 1960s and as trusted adviser until his death in 1980. The University's ascent to excellence in the late 20th century has followed a path mapped in large part by his passion for breaking old limits of knowledge and crossing new frontiers, whether in exploring space, investigating human potential through genetics, or understanding the mind and brain.
The company "Mr. Mac" founded in St. Louis in 1939, as well as its successor corporation, enjoyed success because he anticipated manned space exploration and insisted on the highest standards in engineering and technology. McDonnell Douglas products figure prominently in aerospace history: Mercury and Gemini spacecraft, and the legendary fighter planes used throughout the free world. An internationalist, Mr. McDonnell was a staunch supporter of the United Nations and he actively participated in the intellectual discussion of the impact of economics in international affairs.
James S. McDonnell believed that science and technology give us unprecedented power to shape the future and oblige us to direct our intellectual, social, and cultural development responsibly. In 1963 he wrote, "As man recognizes his responsibilities and moves ahead to carve his own destiny, there will be many problems to solve." He believed private Foundations should assist in solving these problems by supporting higher education and nurturing scholarly talent. Until his death in 1980, Mr. McDonnell pursued this philanthropic vision through his Foundation. He promoted learning in fields that he believed held great potential for the future. His interests were manifested by his support of space sciences, genetics and studies of the human mind and brain. His sons, through the charitable Foundation he established, continue a program of directed philanthropy that reflects his remarkable legacy.
More information about Mr. Mac is available in the Tribute, below, to James S. McDonnell given by his son John F. McDonnell on April 8, 1999 at the National Academy of Sciences.
Tribute to James S. McDonnell by John F. McDonnell
President Retired
Biography
President Emeritus
Biography
James S. McDonnell III
John F. McDonnell
Marcella M. Stevens
Jeff McDonnell
Cathy Rogers
Alicia S. McDonnell
Holly M. James
Jeanne M. Champer
Katherine H. Pipoli
