William G. McGowan Charitable Fund

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $7,105,582 (2024)
Number of Awards: 255 grants (2024)
Total Assets: Approximately $172 million
Decision Time: 2-4 months (depends on review cycle)
Geographic Focus: Five specific regions across CO, IL, KS, MO, NY, and PA
Application Method: Rolling basis with three annual review cycles

Contact Details

Address: 30 South Wacker Drive, Suite 3825, Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: 312.544.4412

Website: https://williamgmcgowanfund.org

Overview

Founded in 1993 as a family foundation, the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund honors the legacy of William G. McGowan (1927-1992), founder and chairman of MCI Communications, who successfully challenged the AT&T monopoly and transformed the telecommunications industry. The Fund is guided by McGowan's tradition of compassionate philanthropy and ethical leadership. With total assets of approximately $172 million, the Fund distributed $7.1 million in grants in 2024 across 255 awards, and $8.2 million in 2023 across 187 awards. The Fund operates through an active 11-member board and a four-person professional staff, focusing on evidence-based programs that foster "healthy, independent, and sustainable lives" for individuals and families. The Fund emphasizes support for both immediate needs and long-term, life-changing efforts that aim to end cycles of poverty and suffering.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants The Fund makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations across three main program areas, with amounts varying based on project scope and organizational capacity. Based on 2024 data (255 awards totaling $7.1 million), typical grants average approximately $28,000, though actual awards likely range from small grants to six-figure commitments.

McGowan Fellows Program

Full-tuition MBA scholarships for second-year students at top 10 business schools
10 Fellows selected annually by partner institutions
Includes tuition assistance, mentoring, networking, and yearlong leadership dialogue
Eligibility: First-year MBA students in top 5% of class at partner schools
Applications handled directly by business schools (not open to individual applicants)
2024 Fellows included students from institutions such as Carnegie Mellon Tepper, Northwestern Kellogg, Dartmouth Tuck, UVA Darden, Columbia Business School, and Wharton

Priority Areas

Education

Out-of-school programs
Charter schools, faith-based schools, and alternative schools
Scholarships for high-potential students in K-12 private education
Programs focused on high school graduation and college success
Academic achievement and workforce preparation

Human Services

Housing access and homelessness prevention
Removing barriers to food security
Employment access and job readiness
Support for vulnerable populations

Healthcare

Access to healthcare services
Cardiac disease prevention and treatment
Childhood obesity prevention
Reversing metabolic syndrome through lifestyle management
Medical research in cardiac health

The Fund prioritizes programs that have demonstrated success, measurable outcomes, plans for sustainability, and aim to end cycles of poverty and suffering.

Geographic Restrictions

Eligible Regions (each with specific limitations):

Colorado: Eagle County and greater Denver metropolitan area
Kansas/Missouri: Jackson County (MO), Wyandotte County (KS), Johnson County (KS) - BY INVITATION ONLY
Illinois: Chicago neighborhoods of Austin and North Lawndale - BY INVITATION ONLY
Pennsylvania: Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties (food insecurity grants by invitation only)
New York: Monroe, Yates, Steuben, and Ontario Counties (some areas by invitation only)

Important: Organizations in invitation-only areas cannot solicit invitations and must wait to be approached by the Fund.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not detailed in available sources, but the Fund:

Only funds 501(c)(3) organizations
Restricts funding to the five designated geographic regions listed above
Requires geographic eligibility that cannot be waived

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The Fund is directed by an active 11-member board composed of family members and affiliated professionals. The organization maintains a family-run structure honoring William McGowan's legacy.

Known Board Members (historical and recent):

Lenore McGowan-Rosica (Chairperson)
Sue Gin McGowan (President)
A. Joseph Rosica (Secretary)
Mary McGowan Swartz (Board Member, author of recent communications)
Diana K. Spencer (Executive Director)
Orville Wright (Emeritus)
Michael N. Cachine, Sr.

Professional Staff

The Fund maintains a four-person professional staff team to manage grantmaking operations, with separate contacts for general inquiries, grants administration, the Fellows Program, and awards.

Known Staff:

Brian Peckrill (staff member)

Mission and Values

The Fund's leadership emphasizes several core principles in their approach to philanthropy:

Evidence-based practices: Programs must demonstrate measurable outcomes and quantitative goals
Sustainability: Support for programs with clear plans for long-term impact
Ethical leadership: Advancing ethics in America through programming and the Fellows initiative
Compassionate philanthropy: Following William McGowan's tradition of supporting vulnerable populations
Collaboration: Embracing opportunities to work with partners and exploring joint projects with other nonprofit organizations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For First-Time Applicants:

Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the online portal at williamgmcgowanfund.org
LOIs are reviewed three times per year with deadlines: March 15, July 15, and November 15
Letters that "pique the interest of the Board of Directors" receive invitations to submit full applications
Applications accepted on a rolling basis but must be received by 11:59 p.m. CT on deadline dates
If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, submissions accepted by 11:59 p.m. CT on the following business day

For Previous Grantees:

No LOI required if you received funding within the past three years and still meet general eligibility requirements
If funding was received more than three years ago, you must go through the LOI process again

Application Requirements: When submitting proposals, include:

Timetable for implementation and evaluation of project
Description of how project results will be evaluated or measured
Copy of IRS Determination Letter
Copy of most recent annual report, audited financial statement, or Form 990
Listing of board of directors, trustees, officers and other key people and their affiliations
Detailed description of project and amount of funding requested

Decision Timeline

Review Cycle Structure:

Board meetings held in March, July, and November
Application deadlines: January 2, May 1, and September 1 (respectively)
Final notification occurs following board meetings

Expected Timeline:

From LOI submission to board decision: approximately 2-4 months depending on review cycle
From full application to board decision: varies based on when submitted relative to board meeting dates

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Fund's activity data suggests:

255 grants awarded in 2024
187 grants awarded in 2023
196 grants awarded in 2022
205 grants awarded in 2021

The number of applications received is not publicly available, making it impossible to calculate a precise acceptance rate.

Reapplication Policy

The Fund does not publish specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations that received funding more than three years ago must restart the LOI process, suggesting the Fund is open to reconsidering organizations over time.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Fund's stated priorities and guidance:

1. Evidence-Based Approach The Fund explicitly emphasizes "evidence-based practices, identifiable outcomes and quantitative goals" as guiding principles. Applications should clearly demonstrate:

Measurable outcomes with specific metrics
Quantitative goals and evaluation methods
Track record of demonstrated success in similar work

2. Sustainability Planning Programs must show "plans for sustainability" - applications should articulate how the program will continue beyond grant funding, including:

Long-term funding strategies
Organizational capacity to maintain the program
Plans for scaling or replicating successful models

3. Addressing Root Causes The Fund prioritizes programs that "aim to end cycles of poverty and suffering," not just address symptoms. Strong applications will:

Demonstrate understanding of systemic issues
Show how the program creates lasting change
Focus on prevention and empowerment rather than only immediate relief

4. Geographic Alignment Strict geographic requirements mean organizations must:

Clearly demonstrate they work within one of the five designated regions
Understand invitation-only restrictions for certain areas
Not attempt to solicit invitations for restricted regions

5. Focus Area Alignment Applications should align closely with one of the three program areas (Education, Human Services, Healthcare) and demonstrate understanding of the Fund's specific interests within each area, such as:

Education: High school graduation, college success, workforce preparation
Human Services: Housing access, food security, employment barriers
Healthcare: Cardiac health, childhood obesity prevention, access to care

6. Collaborative Spirit The Fund has stated it "embraces opportunities to work with other partners" and explores "joint projects with other nonprofit organizations." Applications may be stronger when they:

Demonstrate partnerships or collaborative approaches
Show alignment with the Fund's philosophy
Indicate openness to working with other Fund grantees or partners

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic eligibility is non-negotiable: Confirm your organization works in one of the five designated regions before applying. Do not apply if you're in an invitation-only area unless specifically invited.
Data is king: The Fund's emphasis on "evidence-based practices, identifiable outcomes and quantitative goals" means applications must be rich with metrics, evaluation plans, and demonstrated results. Vague promises won't suffice.
Think sustainability from day one: Don't just ask for money to run a program - show how the program will continue and create lasting impact beyond the grant period.
Timing matters: With only three review cycles per year, plan your LOI submission strategically. Missing a deadline could mean waiting 4 months for the next cycle.
Previous grantees have an advantage: Once funded, you can skip the LOI process for three years, streamlining future applications. Build a strong relationship if you receive funding.
Understand the legacy: William McGowan broke the AT&T monopoly through innovation and persistence. The Fund values organizations that challenge systemic problems with innovative, evidence-based solutions rather than conventional approaches.
Quality over quantity in your LOI: The LOI must "pique the interest of the Board of Directors" to advance. Make it compelling, specific, and aligned with their priorities - this is your only chance to get to the full application stage.

References

William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Official Website - Grantmaking. https://williamgmcgowanfund.org/grantmaking/ (Accessed December 23, 2024)
William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Official Website - Who We Are. https://williamgmcgowanfund.org/who-we-are/ (Accessed December 23, 2024)
William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Official Website - Recent Grants. https://williamgmcgowanfund.org/what-we-do/recent-grants/ (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Candid Foundation Directory - William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Profile. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MCGO006 (Accessed December 23, 2024)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - William G McGowan Charitable Fund. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521829785 (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Instrumentl 990 Report - William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/william-g-mcgowan-charitable-fund-inc (Accessed December 23, 2024)
The Imprint - William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Funder Profile. https://imprintnews.org/funders/william-g-mcgowan-charitable-fund (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Cause IQ - William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/william-g-mcgowan-charitable-fund,521829785/ (Accessed December 23, 2024)
GuideStar Profile - William G. Mcgowan Charitable Fund. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-1829785 (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Newhouse KC - William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. https://newhousekc.org/william-g-mcgowan-charitable-fund/ (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Philanthropy News Digest - William G. McGowan Charitable Fund Invites Letters of Inquiry. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps/rfp17603-william-g.-mcgowan-charitable-fund-invites-letters-of-inquiry-for-education-human-services-and-health-care (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Wikipedia - William G. McGowan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_G._McGowan (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Hagley Museum - William G. McGowan's MCI. https://www.hagley.org/research/digital-exhibits/william-g-mcgowans-mci (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Philanthropy Roundtable - The McGowan Fellows Program: Molding Future Leaders, Respecting Donor Intent. https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/the-mcgowan-fellows-program-molding-future-leaders-respecting-donor-intent/ (Accessed December 23, 2024)
Peterson's - William G. McGowan Charitable Fund - McGowan Fellows Program. https://www.petersons.com/scholarship/william-g-mcgowan-charitable-fund---mcgowan-fellows-program-111_276252.aspx (Accessed December 23, 2024)