The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc logo

The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc

BOSTON, MA EIN: 22-3021586 Website

The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation is a private, independent foundation established in 1989 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a technology-focused philanthropic organization committed to bridging the frontiers of artificial intelligence, data science, and social impact. The foundation represents the legacy of Patrick J. McGovern, founder of the International Data Group (IDG), a market intelligence company. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation with a mission to advance AI and data solutions for global social good.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.5B

+3.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$66.2M

-0.5% YoY

Grant Count

165

-8.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$401K

+9.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $73.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation is committed to bridging the frontiers of artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and social impact. The organization describes itself as "tech-inspired global changemakers, optimists, and visionaries advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all."

The foundation's strategic focus areas include:

  • Unlock AI & data approaches for betterment of humanity — Exploring and developing AI and data science solutions for social good
  • Strengthen non-profit impact with technology, AI, and data — Supporting organizations in leveraging technology to enhance their effectiveness
  • Accelerate applications of AI to maximize human potential — Advancing practical AI applications that improve human outcomes
  • Advocate for digital dignity, data stewardship, and ethical technology — Promoting responsible development and use of technology
  • Innovate technology, AI, and data solutions for pressing global challenges — Creating solutions for challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and health inequities

The foundation emphasizes the urgent need for guiding frameworks for ethical AI and data, new approaches to privacy and data stewardship, and bold innovations in AI applications.

Grantmaking

In December 2024, the foundation announced $73.5 million toward AI for Humanity, supporting 144 organizations to champion human-centered AI with capital, AI expertise, and a commitment to inclusive global AI.

Grant Range

$150,000 to $1.5 million

How to Apply

es.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

33states
+25 more states

Cities

AlamedaAlexandriaAmesburyAptosArlingtonAtlantaAustinBaltimoreBelmontBerkeleyBerkelyBerkleyBethesdaBostonBoulderBronxBrooklineBrooklynBurlingtonCambridge

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Giving (2023-2024):

  • Total assets: $1.48-1.53 billion
  • Total distributions: $73.5 million (2024)
  • Total giving: $66.15 million
  • Revenue: $13.5 million (2023)
  • Expenses: $76.7 million (2023)
  • Total liabilities: $6.5 million (2023)

The foundation maintains substantial assets and demonstrates consistent annual giving in the $66-76 million range.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$49M$98M$147M$196M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$1,528,279,575$1,476,764,247$1,394,714,122
Revenue$8,264,994$13,495,563$18,432,891
Expenses$77,952,201$76,692,307$79,315,426
Qualifying Distributions$73,401,085$73,704,902$73,663,179
Net Investment Income$65,735,673$62,477,388$15,424,245
Distributable Amount$73,773,908$70,401,086$74,937,468

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$17M$33M$50M$66M90 grants2020113 grants2021168 grants2022181 grants2023165 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

CONSERVATION INTERNATION…$1.5MBLUE STAR FAMILIES INC$1.0MBREAKTIME$1.0MAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL$750KAUDERE$750KCLIMATE POLICY RADAR$750KCLIMATE ARC$690KAMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJ…$500KBENETECH$500KBROOKINGS INSTITUTION$500K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

25<$50K14$50–100K67$100–250K75$250–500K45$500K–1M24$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Conservation International Foundation ($1,500,000), Blue Star Families Inc ($1,000,000), Breaktime ($1,000,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ACLU FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NYTO ENHANCE CIVIL LIBERTIES AND PROMOTE JUSTICE THROUGH STRATEGIC LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY USING AI AND DATA ANALYTICS.$400,000
AIMPOWER MOUNTAIN VIEW, CATO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF AUTOMATIC SPEECH RECOGNITION MODELS TO RECOGNIZE STUTTERED SPEECH$150,000
ALGORITHMIC JUSTICE LEAGUE DETROIT, MITO ADVANCE AI HARM DETECTION AND SUPPORT PATHWAYS FOR REDRESS.$250,000
ALL TECH IS HUMAN NEW YORK, NYTO DRIVE RESPONSIBLE AI THROUGH CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS, POLICY RESOURCES, AND MULTI-CITY CONVENINGS.$300,000
AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT WASHINGTON DC, DCTO EXPAND AI TOOLS AND TRAINING FOR NONPROFIT NEWSROOMS THROUGH THE PRODUCT & AI STUDIO.$500,000
AMERICAN NEAR EAST REFUGEE AID INC WASHINGTON DC, DCTO SUPPORT THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION$500
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TO SUPPORT AMNESTYS ALGORITHMIC ACCOUNTABILITY LAB TO MOBILIZE AND EMPOWER CIVIL SOCIETY TO EVALUATE AI SYSTEMS AND PURSUE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AI-DRIVEN HARMS$750,000
AMRITA INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED RESEARCH ELBURN, ILTO ADVANCE THE USE OF AI/ML IN STRATEGIC RESEARCH$180,000
ANNIECANNONS INC OAKLAND, CATO EMPOWER SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING THROUGH TRAUMA-INFORMED TECH TRAINING AND CAREER PLACEMENT.$200,000
AUDERE SEATTLE, WATO DEVELOP AN AI TOOLKIT TO ENABLE THE CREATION OF CUSTOMIZED, LOCALLY RELEVANT AI TOOLS AND DATASETS$750,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board & Executive Leadership:

  • Patrick J. McGovern III — Trustee/Chair (15 hours/week, $100K compensation)
  • Vilas Dhar — Trustee/President (40 hours/week, $821K compensation)
  • Suzanne DiBianca — Trustee/Audit Committee Chair (10 hours/week, $100K compensation)
  • Elizabeth S. McGovern — Trustee/Treasurer/Clerk (15 hours/week, $100K compensation)
  • Steven Verbinski — Trustee/Vice-Chair (10 hours/week, $100K compensation)

Staff Leadership:

  • Karen Gill — Vice President of Finance (40 hours/week, $404K compensation)
  • Mary Rodriguez — Vice President of Programs (40 hours/week, $363K compensation)
  • Nicholas Cain — VP, Strategy and Innovation (40 hours/week, $290K compensation)
  • Hazem Mahmoud — Director, Products & Services (40 hours/week, $268K compensation)
  • Bob Merriman — Director of Operations (40 hours/week, $216K compensation)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

VILAS DHARTRUSTEE/ PRESIDENT$821KPATRICK J MCGOVERN IIITRUSTEE/ CHAIR$100KSUZANNE DIBIANCATRUSTEE/ AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR$100KELIZABETH S MCGOVERNTRUSTEE/ TREASURER/ CLERK$100KSTEVEN VERBINSKITRUSTEE/ VICE-CHAIR$100K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
PATRICK J MCGOVERN IIITRUSTEE/ CHAIR15$100,000
SUZANNE DIBIANCATRUSTEE/ AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR10$100,000
ELIZABETH S MCGOVERNTRUSTEE/ TREASURER/ CLERK15$100,000
STEVEN VERBINSKITRUSTEE/ VICE-CHAIR10$100,000
VILAS DHARTRUSTEE/ PRESIDENT40$821,376

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2024

**December 2024:** The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation announced $73.5 million toward AI for Humanity, supporting 144 organizations to champion human-centered AI. The announcement emphasized the foundation's commitment to providing capital, AI expertise, and support for inclusive global AI development.

Redefining AI Innovation With Social Purpose: Patrick J. McGovern Foundation
2025

**December 2025:** The foundation announced a $75.8 million commitment focused on public institutions building the architecture that guides AI use, reflecting the foundation's emphasis on the urgent need for frameworks governing ethical AI development and application.

As the World Races to Accelerate AI, Public Institutions Must Build the

Contact Information

  • Website: www.mcgovern.org
  • Phone: 508-203-1236
  • Address: PO Box 171536, Boston, MA 02117-3375
  • EIN: 22-3021586
  • Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation (IRS status since March 1990)

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation is committed to bridging the frontiers of artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and social impact. The organization describes itself as "tech-inspired global changemakers, optimists, and visionaries advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all." The foundation's strategic focus areas include: • **Unlock AI & data approaches for betterment of humanity** — Exploring and developing AI and data science solutions for social good…

How do I apply for a grant from The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity & Scale:** • Total distributions: $73.5 million (2024 announcement) • Total assets: $1.5 billion • Median grant amount: $395,000 • Grant range: $150,000 to $1.5 million • Number of grants: 165 grants in recent filing **Recent Grant Announcements:** In December 2024, the foundation announced $73.5 million toward AI for Humanity, supporting 144 organizations to champion human-centered AI with capital, AI expertise, and a commitment to inclusive global AI. In December 2025, the fo…

What size grants does The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc awarded 165 grants totaling $66.2M — an average of about $401K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $73.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc's EIN?

The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3021586. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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