Frequently Asked Questions
The Maclellan FAQ page answers common questions and shares some of what we’ve learned. Read on if you want to strengthen your non-profit, or if you are curious about our granting process.
General Questions
We only grant to certain organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity status. These organizations fall into the following subcategories: 509(a)(1) – 170(b)(1)(A)(i) through 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), or 509(a)(2). We sometimes work with foreign organizations that already have an equivalency determination status certificate as equivalent to a public charity. Additionally, for organizations in a Fiscal Sponsorship relationship, we will only consider requests received from the qualified 501(c)(3) Fiscal Sponsor. See our publication “Carrying out Your Charitable Purpose” for more information on different ways to accomplish charitable purposes, whether or not you have public charity status.
Organizations of the following types do not receive consideration:
- 509(a)(3) supporting organizations
- Private foundations
- 501(c)(4) organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Foreign organizations that do not have current equivalency determination status
- Individuals
We fund a wide variety of projects worldwide, leveraging projects with a strategic scope and reach. Due to the diversity of projects funded and varying regional strategic focuses, we cannot share a comprehensive list. However, the following funding requests do not fit into our current granting strategy:
- Capital campaigns
- Buildings
- Individual field workers
- Individual churches or schools
- Scholarships
- Projects outside of Chattanooga focused on a narrow geographic region without a broader impact
- Projects which are political in nature, including those requesting funds for lobbying
Our strategic grantmaking focus has now expanded to cover every region of the world. That being said, we only grant to US public charities.
We only grant to certain organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity status. We will consider requests from foreign organizations that already have an equivalency determination status certificate as equivalent to a public charity. Additionally, for organizations in a Fiscal Sponsorship relationship, we will only consider requests received from the qualified 501(c)(3) Fiscal Sponsor. See our publication “Carrying out Your Charitable Purpose” for more information on different ways to accomplish charitable purposes, whether or not you have public charity status.
Organizations of the following types may apply:
- 501(c)(3) organizations further classified as: 509(a)(1) – 170(b)(1)(A)(i) through 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), or 509(a)(2)
- Churches in the USA
- Organizations with current equivalency determination status as a public charity
- Aforementioned 501(c)(3) organizations serving as a Fiscal Sponsor
Organizations of the following types will not receive consideration:
- 509(a)(3) supporting organizations
- Private foundations
- 501(c)(4) organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Foreign organizations that do not have current equivalency determination status
- Individuals
Only individuals authorized by the central leadership of the organization may submit on behalf of the organization.
The Maclellan Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, requests or letters of inquiry. We focus on existing partnerships, collaboration with other funders, and research on areas of interest. We do not review or respond to any proposals received via mail, email, or phone.
We do not provide referrals to other funders since each one’s strategic priorities vary so greatly.
While we are honored that you would look to us for advice, we do not have the capacity to provide consultation services. Our team focuses on existing partnerships, collaborations with other funders, and research on areas of interest.
Our organization does not offer scholarships or funding for individuals. While several scholarships at various institutions bear the Maclellan name, they are not funded by The Maclellan Foundation. Please contact the institution that is offering scholarships to learn about their application process.
Thank you for your interest in working with The Maclellan Foundation. We do not have any opportunities currently available.
Although The Maclellan Foundation, Inc. has an established history with many organizations, past grants do not ensure future grants. Each partnership is considered and weighed according to how closely it aligns with our current priorities, our values, and the funds available.
Best Practices & Trends
We have experienced the successes and failures that come with building a purposeful venture. Here we share some of what we’ve learned along the way.
Many different options exist for carrying out charitable activities, whether in the US or around the world. Investigating and weighing your options is an important part of the process, as is seeking legal counsel. Each option has distinct advantages and challenges. Before undertaking any major effort, it is always wise to consider if there are others already doing the work you are passionate about and if there is a creative way that you can join forces with them!
The purpose of this paper is to provide you with a powerful, straightforward model for communicating your ministry‘s vision, strategy, and financial needs to steward-investors. This model is specifically designed to align with the manner in which they approach their giving decisions.
The purpose of this model is to help you identify the key questions that occupy the minds of your major donors and craft the communication of your needs in a way that aligns with their thinking and decision-making process.
It is our conviction that strategic prayer and consistent praise is as critical to fulfilling our mission as is executive leadership, accounting, investment management, and field due-diligence. By focusing on consistent strategic prayer, we believe that we will be strengthening our strategic efforts across our granting regions.
In compliance with the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule, machine-readable files are provided to publicly disclose negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. These files are formatted to support data access and analysis by researchers, regulators, and application developers.
