The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $75.8 million (2025)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $45,000 - $1.5+ million
• Geographic Focus: Global (13 countries)

Contact Details

• Website: www.mcgovern.org
• Email: Communications@mcgovern.org (media inquiries only)
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 171536, Boston, MA 02117
• Social Media: @PJMFnd (Twitter), McGovern Foundation (LinkedIn)

Note: Foundation unable to respond to emails requesting meetings or funding

Overview

Established in 2014 through the estate of Patrick J. McGovern (founder of IDG), the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation is a $1.5 billion global philanthropy committed to bridging the frontiers of artificial intelligence, data science, and social impact. With annual giving of approximately $75 million and nearly $500 million in commitments since inception, the foundation demonstrates how data and AI can advance equity, human dignity, and collective progress. Operating from Boston, the foundation strategically invests in organizations across 13 countries that leverage AI and data science to address critical societal challenges. Their approach centers on strengthening institutions that shape AI use, prioritizing public purpose over pure technological advancement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Strategic Grant Portfolio (Primary Program): $45,000 - $1.5+ million

• Invitation-only strategic grants aligned with foundation priorities
• Typical range: $100,000 - $300,000
• Application method: Proactive identification and invitation by foundation

Data Practice Accelerator Program: Up to $125,000

• 12-month cohort-based program with 50-60 hours of technical support
• Application method: Periodic calls for expressions of interest on specific themes
• Past themes include Climate Action, Data to Safeguard Human Rights, Climate and Health Nexus

Rising Leaders for Equity Initiative: 2-year salaried positions

• Fellowship/staffing program developing diverse talent in philanthropy
• Application method: Periodic recruitment cycles

Priority Areas

• AI Fluency - AI literacy and education initiatives
• Climate - Climate resilience and data-driven solutions
• Digital Health - AI-powered health solutions and health equity
• Emergent AI - AI's impact on institutions and governance
• Journalism & Media - AI tools for news organizations
• Data as a Public Good - Open data and information access
• Human Rights - Data solutions for human rights protection
• Crisis Response - AI for humanitarian response
• Digital Literacy - Broad digital access and skills

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not working with AI/data science
• Projects without clear social impact focus
• Work that doesn't align with IDEA principles (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility)
• Unsolicited applications (invitation-only foundation)

Governance and Leadership

Vilas Dhar - President & Trustee: Philanthropic leader, AI expert, and human rights advocate who states: "When we center people and build technologies for purpose rather than profit, we create a vast opportunity to amplify the very best of our humanity, creativity, and innovation."

Patrick McGovern III - Trustee: Son of founder, technology executive

Karen Kelley Gill - Vice President, Finance: 30+ years in nonprofit/philanthropic sectors

Nick Cain - Vice President, Strategy and Innovation: Former Principal at Google.org

Mary Rodriguez - Vice President, People and Culture

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation operates on an invitation-only, hypothesis-driven strategic process. Organizations are proactively identified and invited based on alignment with strategic priorities.

For Strategic Grants:

1. Foundation identifies organizations aligned with priorities
2. Selected organizations invited for exploratory conversations
3. Formal proposal invitation after project scoping

For Accelerator Program (when open):

1. Foundation announces themed calls for expressions of interest
2. Organizations submit expressions outlining project overview, datasets, and approaches
3. Selected organizations invited for technical scoping conversations
4. Formal proposal invitation follows

Getting on Their Radar

Since this is an invitation-only funder, specific strategies based on their documented approach include:

• Attend AI ethics conferences where foundation leadership speaks (they regularly participate in World Economic Forum events on AI governance)
• Engage with their grantee network through the foundation's Learning Hub resources
• Monitor their website for periodic Accelerator Program calls - past themes include Climate Action and Data to Safeguard Human Rights
• Build relationships with current grantees who might recommend your work (they fund collaborative networks)
• Demonstrate thought leadership in public-purpose AI through publications that align with their focus areas
• Connect through their institutional partners like the Aspen Institute ($1.25M grantee) or MIT Solve ($200K grantee)

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines not publicly disclosed. Strategic grants appear to operate on ongoing basis with major annual announcements typically in December.

Success Rates

Not applicable as this is an invitation-only foundation.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations must be invited to apply.

Application Success Factors

Based on foundation statements and recent grants to organizations like Stanford University ($300K), National Fair Housing Alliance ($300K), and Audere ($1.3M):

• Strong data hypothesis: Foundation seeks organizations that can clearly articulate what they want to test and learn through data/AI
• IDEA alignment demonstration: Recent grantees explicitly incorporate inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility into their work
• Institutional capacity focus: Foundation prioritizes organizations building sustainable, scalable solutions over one-off projects
• Community co-creation approach: As Dhar states, "Communities are not downstream consumers of innovation; we are co-creators" - successful projects involve communities as partners
• Balance of innovation and values: Projects that combine technological innovation with human-centered purpose
• Collaborative mindset: Foundation values organizations willing to engage in shared learning and transparency
• Clear public benefit: Work must demonstrate meaningful social impact, not just technological advancement
• Connection to strategic themes: Alignment with climate, health, human rights, media, or democratic governance priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only foundation - Focus on building visibility and relationships rather than preparing unsolicited applications • AI/data science essential - Organization must demonstrate meaningful use of AI, machine learning, or advanced data analytics • Monitor Accelerator opportunities - Periodic themed calls offer entry point for new organizations • IDEA principles central - All work must advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility • Think institutionally - Foundation seeks to strengthen institutions that shape AI use, not just fund technology development • Global perspective valued - Foundation supports work across 13 countries and values international collaboration • Trust-based approach - Foundation committed to long-term partnerships and collaborative relationships with grantees

References

• McGovern Foundation Official Website (www.mcgovern.org) - Accessed February 2026
• McGovern Foundation Grants Database (Updated weekly) - Accessed February 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Form 990 Data (EIN: 22-3021586) - Accessed February 2026
• Business Wire Press Releases: "Patrick J. McGovern Foundation Commits $75.8M" (December 2024)
• Inside Philanthropy Funder Profile - Accessed February 2026
• Candid Foundation Directory Profile - Accessed February 2026
• World Economic Forum Partnership Announcements - Accessed February 2026
• Foundation Leadership Quotes from Official Communications - Accessed February 2026