The McLean Foundation

The McLean Foundation is a Canadian nonprofit organization established in 1976 and operates nationwide across Canada. It is registered under the business registration number 134368364RR0001. The foundation's mission centers on supporting charitable initiatives that may not typically receive funding from other sources but have the potential to create positive impacts on people, communities, and the environment.

History and Mission

Since its inception, The McLean Foundation has focused on philanthropic activities with a commitment to enhancing societal well-being through funding diverse projects. The Foundation seeks to invest in innovative and promising initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable development within Canadian communities.

Areas of Focus

The McLean Foundation supports a broad spectrum of sectors, reflecting its commitment to holistic community betterment. Its key areas of interest include:

• Arts
• Environment
• Education
• Social Welfare
• Health

By funding projects within and across these sectors, the Foundation aims to foster meaningful change even in areas that might initially lack widespread public appeal.

Granting Policy and Funding

The McLean Foundation offers flexible funding options tailored to the needs of applicants. Grants are commonly provided for specific projects, ongoing programs, or general operational support. Typical grants are up to $15,000, though the Foundation also offers larger or multi-year grants, often evolving from prior funding relationships.

Certain types of requests are not eligible for funding, including:

• Capital campaigns, renovations, or equipment purchases
• Event or conference sponsorships
• General fundraising or endowments
• Scholarships
• Projects with strictly religious or partisan political purposes
• Activities outside of Canada or international development projects
• Purely academic or basic research
• Reduction of deficits or umbrella organization operating costs

Applications for funding are accepted exclusively through an online portal to manage the high volume of requests and maintain efficient processing.

Governance and Operations

The McLean Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors and supported by a small team responsible for its day-to-day activities. The Foundation values transparency and directs its resources toward charitable causes aligned with its mission.

Notable Contributions

Among its philanthropic contributions, the Foundation has made significant donations to cultural institutions, such as gifting artworks to the Art Gallery of Ontario, exemplified by the donation of a piece by Canadian artist Emily Carr from the J.S. McLean collection.

The McLean Foundation continues to play an important role in Canada's charitable landscape by channeling resources to impactful projects that improve community wellbeing and environmental sustainability across the nation.