The Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, established through the assets provided by Henry Dolfinger and J. Edward McMahon and furthered by their descendants, aims to benefit charitable purposes and memorialize the Dolfinger and McMahon names. The foundation’s establishment was driven by the enthusiasm of Caroline D. McMahon and Mary M. McMahon towards creating a lasting entity focused on supporting various philanthropic endeavors.
The Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation awards discretionary grants primarily aimed at supporting projects or emergencies that align with their charitable goals. These grants are intended for initiatives that can be significantly advanced or completed with a single grant within a short timeframe, accepting new proposals once annually. Additionally, the foundation provides emergency grants to agencies facing urgent needs that threaten their existence or the continuation of specific programs. However, these emergency grants are rare and receiving one disqualifies the agency from further funding for three years. This approach ensures focused support for initiatives with immediate impact or those in critical need, reflecting the foundation's commitment to effective and timely charitable assistance.