The Mccune Foundation
The McCune Foundation is a private foundation based in Ventura, CA, founded in 1990 by Sara Miller McCune and George D. McCune. The foundation's website states its mission is "To be an agent of productive change in society by supporting the growth of social capital in communities" and includes grantmaking information, past grants, annual reports, and staff/board listings.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A 501(c)(3) community organization (often in Ventura or Santa Barbara counties) running resident‑mobilizing work in economic or social justice, capacity building, youth development, or regional environmental justice.
Good Fit
- • Primary programs operate in Ventura or Santa Barbara counties (or otherwise clearly benefit those communities).
- • Proposed work centers on community organizing, resident mobilization, or building social capital.
- • Requests for general/core support, capacity building, or program sponsorship rather than highly technical research.
- • Willingness to submit a concise two‑page letter of inquiry and copy of tax‑exempt documentation.
- • Ability to engage with the foundation’s Program Officer before applying.
- • Track record of community impact and local partnerships.
Geography
Grantmaking is strongly California‑focused (about 82% of dollars in CA) but small shares were awarded to recipients in three other states, so the footprint is regional/state‑level rather than purely local or broadly national.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a broad recipient set (95 grants to 72 distinct recipients) with a mix of small and mid‑size awards and many independent community organizations, indicating wide institutional variety for the foundation’s scale.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness includes a formal LOI process with published deadlines, a named Program Officer to contact, and a substantial share of new recipients in the latest year (39 new grantees), which together suggest unfamiliar applicants can realistically enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
