William And Lisa McGahan Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $207,411 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not published
• Grant Range: $250 - $72,279
• Geographic Focus: Georgia and New York

Contact Details

• Phone: (404) 941-9359 or (404) 520-7613
• Address: 200 Dorado Beach Drive 3622 W Beach, Dorado, PR 00646
• Alternative Address: 3190 Ridgewood Rd. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30327
• Website: None
• Email: Not available

Overview

The William And Lisa McGahan Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 2012 with total assets of $2.7 million. The foundation distributes approximately $207,000 annually to charitable organizations, primarily in Georgia and New York, despite being registered in Puerto Rico. Led by William C. McGahan, who has extensive involvement in Atlanta's nonprofit sector through his work with Georgia Works and various boards including The State of Georgia Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission, the foundation focuses on education, housing, social services, and youth development. The foundation has grown significantly from initial assets of $318,710 in 2011 to nearly $2.7 million today, following a major contribution of over $1 million in 2020.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes discretionary grants without formal programs, with recent grants ranging from:

• Large institutional support: $72,279 to Cornell University
• Mid-size education grants: $30,000 - $60,000 to The Howard School
• Community organization support: $250 - $15,357 to local nonprofits

Priority Areas

• Housing and homelessness services
• Food security
• Education (K-12 and higher education)
• Health services
• Social services
• Children and youth programs
• Workforce development

What They Don't Fund

Not specified in available documentation

Governance and Leadership

President/Secretary: William C. McGahan

• Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Southern Methodist University; MBA from University of Virginia
• Founder of Georgia Works
• Board service includes: The State of Georgia Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission, Atlanta Area Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Governors Office of Transition, Support and Reentry, From Houses to Homes, Atlanta Academy, The Howard School, The Paces Civic Association, and The National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction

Treasurer: Lisa O. McGahan

The foundation operates with no paid staff, with all officers serving without compensation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees to preselected organizations. The foundation follows a common pattern for private family foundations where grants are made to organizations with existing relationships to the McGahan family or causes they personally support.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant patterns and Bill McGahan's extensive community involvement:

• The foundation frequently supports organizations where Bill McGahan serves on the board (The Howard School, Atlanta Academy)
• Georgia Works events and related workforce development initiatives where Bill McGahan is founder
• Atlanta nonprofit community events, particularly those focused on homelessness and housing issues
• Organizations can potentially connect through Bill McGahan's involvement with The State of Georgia Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission
• The foundation has shown support for institutions with family connections (Cornell University, where daughter Katie attended)

Decision Timeline

Not published; grants appear to be made throughout the year

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only nature

Reapplication Policy

Not specified

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns:

• Organizations where William McGahan has board involvement receive significant support (The Howard School received two $30,000 grants)
• Institutions with family connections are prioritized (Cornell University received the largest grant of $72,279, coinciding with daughter's attendance)
• Atlanta-area organizations addressing homelessness and workforce development align with Bill McGahan's professional focus through Georgia Works
• Small community organizations can receive support ($250-$15,000 range) when there's a clear connection or alignment with the foundation's priorities
• The foundation supports both general operating and project-specific grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only foundation requiring existing relationships or connections to the McGahan family
• Focus areas strongly align with Bill McGahan's personal and professional involvement in Atlanta's nonprofit sector
• Geographic preference for Atlanta-area organizations despite Puerto Rico registration
• Grant sizes vary widely ($250 to $72,000+) based on relationship and project scope
• No formal application process means relationship building is essential before any funding consideration
• Best suited for organizations already connected to the McGahan family's philanthropic network

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Form 990-PF data for 2011-2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/900771779 (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• GrantStation - Funding priorities and geographic focus. https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/william-and-lisa-mcgahan-family (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Financial overview and grant details. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/william-and-lisa-mcgahan-family-foundation,900771779/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Georgia Works Board of Directors - William C. McGahan biography. https://georgiaworks.net/board-of-directors/ (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Cornell University Athletics - McGahan family gift announcement. https://cornelluniversity.imodules.com/s/1717/giving/interior.aspx?sid=1717&gid=2&pgid=27190&content_id=24521 (Accessed February 6, 2026)
• Tax Exempt World - Organization verification. https://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=2055084 (Accessed February 6, 2026)