John P McGovern Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Your work fits if it falls within health promotion, the arts or environmental preservation, the three themes the foundation names, since its grant record covers medical and health institutions, museums and arts organisations, parks and conservation bodies, libraries, educational institutions and social-service organisations.
- Its stated priority is Houston, as reported in other published sources.
- Most grants are modest: about 8 in 10 of its 653 grants to organisations fall between $3,500 and $80,000, and half are $20,000 or less, so a request near that size is a realistic starting point, although the largest grant was $10,000,000 and that band is not a ceiling.
- To apply, send a letter describing the need or request, verification of 501(c)(3) status, a list of the board of directors and the annual budget; the filing gives no deadlines and says the foundation accepts applications.
- Repeat support is significant, with 55% of grant dollars in the latest filing going to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so building a relationship before asking is worth considering.
Overview
John P McGovern Foundation is a US private foundation based in Houston, TX.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (houston.culturemap.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 12 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation focuses on supporting nonprofit organisations that promote health, the arts, and the enhancement and preservation of the environment. Its grant record includes medical and health institutions, museums and arts organisations, parks and conservation bodies, libraries, educational institutions and social-service organisations, with both general and programme support. William Shrader described the McGoverns' intention as directing money to good causes that would benefit Houston and its people. A related account describes smaller grants to not-for-profit organisations, including support for libraries and parks for public benefit.
Themes
- Health promotion
- The arts
- Environmental preservation
Geographic Focus
Priority: Houston. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
Applicants submit a request with a letter describing the need or grant request, verification of 501(c)(3) status, a list of the board of directors and the annual budget.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 55% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 653 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It focuses on supporting nonprofit organisations that promote health, the arts and environmental enhancement and preservation.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
3 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 26% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 55% of grant dollars went to organisations John P McGovern Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- <1% of grant dollars went directly to organisations outside the US (Pitcairn).
- <1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 244 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $20,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- UT-Health Science Center Medical School · General support$10,000,0002024 tax year
- University of Houston · General support$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Houston Zoo · General support$1,500,0002024 tax year
- Hermann Park Conservancy · Program Support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Children's Museum · General support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Hermann Park Conservancy · Dr Jack Train Engine$500,0002024 tax year
- Grand 1894 Opera House · 2025 Program Support$300,0002024 tax year
- Houston Museum of Natural Science · General support$290,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Sheila Lewis — Treasurer
- Julia Mitchell — Vice President & Secretary
- William C Shrader — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $23,601,166 | $8,146,350 | $119,788,592 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $9,350,082 | $6,497,000 | $125,486,624 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $10,650,295 | $23,553,258 | $138,354,350 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to John P McGovern Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 524-5255
- Houston, TX
Applying to John P McGovern Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (713) 524-5255
- Houston, TX