What is the Mary Kay Ash Foundation?

A nonprofit foundation that receives donations from members of the general public, the Mary Kay Independent Sales Force and employees. MKAF funds research grants to help find cures for cancers affecting women and awards women’s shelters with financial support to organizations that raise awareness and address the problem of violence against women.

When was the Mary Kay Ash Foundation created?

The Foundation was created in 1996.

What is the focus of the Mary Kay Ash Foundation?

True to our founder’s original mission and heart, The Mary Kay Ash Foundation has a two-fold mission of finding cures for cancers affecting women and eliminating violence against women.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE BEHIND THE TWO-FOLD MISSION OF THE MARY KAY ASH FOUNDATION?

Our mission is to enrich women’s lives around the world. One in three women and girls will be a victim of abuse during her lifetime and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer. This is unacceptable and we must do our part to help these women and children.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A CANCER RESEARCH GRANT?

Cancer Research Grants are awarded to NCI-designated institutions and fully accredited medial schools in the United States. Applications are by invitation only and reviewed by a team of cancer research professionals known as the Research Review Committee.

WHO SERVES ON THE RESEARCH REVIEW COMMITTEE?

The Research Review Committee is comprised of prominent doctors and PhDs who graciously volunteer their time to help the Foundation select deserving researchers.

WHAT TYPES OF GRANTS ARE MADE IN THE AREA OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN?

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation partners with select organizations working to eliminate violence against women domestically and internationally. In addition, domestic violence shelter grants are awarded in the amount of $20,000 annually to operating shelters across the United States.

WILL WE BE INFORMED OF THE MARY KAY ASH FOUNDATION GRANT RECIPIENTS?

Yes, grant recipients will be notified once the review process concludes, and then a list of the current year’s recipients will be posted on the Mary Kay Ash Foundation website. This typically occurs in October in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

WHERE SHOULD I DIRECT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FOUNDATION?

Please contact the Foundation team by phone or email at the contact information below.

[email protected]

HOW CAN I DONATE TO THE FOUNDATION?
  1. Online donations can be made through marykayfoundation.org/donate
  2. Donations may be sent by mail to the address below:

Mary Kay Ash Foundation

P.O. Box 799044

Dallas, TX 75379-9044

Checks or money orders should be made to Mary Kay Ash Foundation

HOW DO I SEND A DONATION IN MEMORY OF OR IN HONOR OF SOMEONE?

When submitting your donation online or by mail, please designate that the gift is being made in Honor/Memorial. Please include the name and address of the individual or family to whom you would like an acknowledgment sent, along with a message indicating the person for whom the donation was made.

IS THERE A MINIMUM OR MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT I CAN DONATE TO THE FOUNDATION?

No, all donations of personal significance are welcome.

CAN I HOLD MY OWN FUNDRAISER TO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE MARY KAY ASH FOUNDATION?

Yes, you may contact the Foundation team for more information about holding a Community Fundraiser or by visiting the Fundraise page within this site. To contact a Foundation team member, please email [email protected]

WILL I RECEIVE A RECEIPT FOR MY DONATION?

Yes, regardless of your donation method (by mail or online) you will receive a receipt for your donation. If you are donating online, a receipt will be generated automatically upon checkout. If you are donating by mail, a receipt will be sent to you at the return address provided shortly after receipt of the donation.

IF I PARTICIPATE IN A FUNDRAISING EVENT, HOW CAN I ENSURE THAT I RECEIVE A TAX RECEIPT?

For security reasons, the cash at most third-party fundraising events are consolidated into one check or money order to be sent to the Foundation. If you’d like a tax receipt, we suggest you write a personal check to Mary Kay Ash Foundation. Only checks made directly to Mary Kay Ash Foundation will be considered tax deductible, not the specific event.