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James S. McDonnell Foundation
The James S. McDonnell Foundation was created in 1950 by the founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. His sons James S. McDonnell III and John F.
James S. McDonnell Foundation
The James S. McDonnell Foundation was created in 1950 by the founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. His sons James S. McDonnell III and John F. McDonnell continue to serve on the board. The foundation allocates capital across private equity holdings and mission-related deposits. Confirmed positions include commitments to BC European Capital IX and Davidson Kempner Institutional Partners. Activity centers on North America with emphasis on St. Louis initiatives such as community credit union deposits and minority business loan funds. The organization maintains a staff of 14 at its Saint Louis headquarters. It participates in the Health Research Alliance and the St. Louis Anchor Action Network. October 2025: Sponsored the Economic Mobility Summit focused on regional data and collaborative investment. Governance ties the foundation to the founding family through board seats held by the founder's sons while day-to-day operations rest with professional leadership.
General information
Firm type
Foundation
Year founded
1950
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Saint Louis
Corporate office
4565 McRee Ave. #120, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States
Principals
Jason Purnell
President & CEO
James S. McDonnell III
Director and Secretary
John F. McDonnell
Director and Treasurer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at the James S. McDonnell Foundation?
Jason Purnell serves as President and CEO. The board includes James S. McDonnell III and John F. McDonnell.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The foundation traces its assets to James S. McDonnell, founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation.
Does the foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
It holds limited partner positions in private equity vehicles including BC European Capital IX and European Secondary Development Fund V.
What geographic focus does the foundation maintain?
Activity centers on North America, specifically St. Louis, with no confirmed positions outside the region.
How is the foundation related to the McDonnell family?
Two sons of the founder sit on the board as Director and Secretary and Director and Treasurer.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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