William G McGowan Charitable Fund
The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports 501(c)(3) organizations through community grants in education, human services, and healthcare, with a stated goal of fostering healthy, independent, and sustainable lives.
William G McGowan Charitable Fund at a glance
In short: William G McGowan Charitable Fund gave $7.8M across 298 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), top state Pennsylvania. 34% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $7,807,239
- +9.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 298
- +15.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,199
- -4.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $229,364,293
- +5.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (64 of 191, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (37% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to William G McGowan Charitable Fund
- Invitation Only
-
The Fund’s website says applications are closed for 2026 grants and that it is not accepting Letters of Inquiry at this time. For that cycle, new organizations were not eligible to apply; a repeat applicant was defined as an organization that had received a competitive McGowan Fund grant in the past three years and submitted a final report. The application requests information about the organization, its finances and population served, as well as program structure, narrative, goals, theory of change, inputs, and outputs. Invitation-only regions have no process for requesting an invitation; invitations are issued at the Fund’s discretion.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists January 8, April 8, and August 8 application deadlines for 2026 grant cycles. These dates have passed; it says the fall 2026 cycle is not applicable.
- Deadline
- The website lists January 8, April 8, and August 8 application deadlines for 2026 grant cycles.
- Contact
Application contact: Grants
Mailing address: 30 S Wacker Drive Suite 3825, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 544-4412
Email: grants@mcgowanfund.org
Website: https://williamgmcgowanfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from William G McGowan Charitable Fund
Who William G McGowan Charitable Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was King's College ($685K across 12 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($78,362), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,163 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 903 grants of 1,163 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund identifies five communities: Eagle County, Colorado; specified counties in Kansas and Missouri; Austin and North Lawndale in Chicago; Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties in Pennsylvania; and Monroe, Yates, Steuben, and Ontario Counties in New York. Jackson County, Missouri; Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, Kansas; and Chicago are invitation-only. The Fund also states that Pennsylvania food-insecurity requests require an invitation before submitting a Letter of Inquiry.
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Pennsylvania (37%), Kansas (15%), Colorado (13%), Missouri (11%), and New York (11%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 298 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is William G McGowan Charitable Fund open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 64 of 191 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 58% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.8M (2021) to $8.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 298 grants totaling $7.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| King's College Wilkes-Barre, PA | General Operations | $500,000 |
| Foodlink Inc Rochester, NY | General Operations | $250,000 |
| The Luzeme Fund Wilkes-Barre, PA | General Operations | $250,000 |
| Allied Services Foundation Clarks Summit, PA | General Operations | $150,000 |
| Warren Village Inc Denver, CO | General Operations | $150,000 |
| Commission on Economic Opportunity Wilkes-Barre, PA | General Operations | $150,000 |
| Bishop Miege High School Shawnee Mission, KS | General Operations | $140,000 |
| Rockhurst High School Kansas City, MO | General Operations | $130,000 |
| Literacy Kansas City Kansas City, MO | General Operations | $130,000 |
| Volunteers in Medicine Wilkes-Barre, PA | General Operations | $125,000 |
Ready to take the next step with William G McGowan Charitable Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $229,364,293 | $8,748,690 | $10,991,825 | $7,807,239 | 298 | $10,205,693 | $11,526,870 | $10,896,446 |
| 2024 | $216,682,198 | $9,493,768 | $8,377,066 | $7,105,582 | 259 | $9,667,683 | $6,237,510 | $10,180,195 |
| 2023 | $205,649,544 | $4,758,244 | $9,746,465 | $8,229,990 | 189 | $10,585,510 | $6,285,596 | $9,683,121 |
| 2022 | $198,032,018 | $17,967,219 | $8,826,588 | $7,675,745 | 200 | $10,059,279 | $17,759,388 | $10,638,546 |
| 2021 | $157,817,188 | $13,837,710 | $10,899,184 | $6,834,452 | 217 | — | $11,303,930 | $9,864,720 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William G McGowan Charitable Fund reported a distributable amount of $10.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s vision is to impact lives today, create sustainable change, and empower future generations to achieve their greatest potential. Its grantmaking focuses on education, human services, and healthcare. Examples of grantees’ work include King’s College’s liberal arts education, Foodlink’s work to end hunger and build healthier communities, and Volunteers in Medicine’s free primary and preventive care for working uninsured and underinsured people in Luzerne County. These are descriptions of the grantees’ own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Fund reported 298 grants totaling $7,807,239. Grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest listed grants included $500,000 to King’s College; $250,000 each to Foodlink Inc. and The Luzerne Fund; and $150,000 each to Allied Services Foundation, Warren Village Inc., and the Commission on Economic Opportunity. Other listed awards included $140,000 to an individual recipient High School; $130,000 each to Rockhurst High School and Literacy Kansas City; and $125,000 each to Volunteers in Medicine, Vibrant Health (Turner House Clinic Inc.), and an individual recipient High School. King’s College is also listed as receiving a separate $125,000 grant in 2025.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brian Peckrill as executive director; William P. McGowan as chairman of the board; Leo McGowan as president; Gertrude McGowan as secretary; and Brian McGowan as treasurer. It also lists A. Joseph Rosica, Daniel Rosica, and Mark Rosica as directors. Janet Crombie and Darice Bailey are listed as director of finance and administration, with the filing indicating a transition during 2025.
William G McGowan Charitable Fund is led by Brian Peckrill, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 2 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brian Peckrill
Executive Director
Interim Executive Director & Fellows Prgm Director → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$146K (2023) → $209K (2025)
Leo McGowan
President
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William P. McGowan
Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darice Bailey Begin
Director of Finance & Administration
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$79K (2025)
A. Joseph Rosica
Director
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel McGowan
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Rosica
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marianne Rosica-Brand
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Rosica
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary McGowan-Swartz
Director
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan McGowan
Director
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick McGowan
Director
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian McGowan
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gertrude McGowan
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Janet Crombie (2024–2025) — Director of Finance & Administration · Filing note: Thru 22025
- Former: Diana K. Spencer (2021–2023) — Executive Director · Filing note: Through 5923
- Former: Doug Brown (2021–2023) — Director · Filing note: Through March 2023
- Former: Father Kevin Fitzgerald (2021) — Director
- Former: Joe Leboeuf (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $209K, to Brian Peckrill (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about William G McGowan Charitable Fund
How much does William G McGowan Charitable Fund give each year?
William G McGowan Charitable Fund gave $7.8M across 298 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $7.1M across 259 grants.
What is William G McGowan Charitable Fund's typical grant size?
William G McGowan Charitable Fund's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $26,199, across 298 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from William G McGowan Charitable Fund that year got $25K on average.
Where does William G McGowan Charitable Fund give grants?
William G McGowan Charitable Fund's top state is Pennsylvania, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Kansas (15%) and Colorado (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wilkes-Barre, PA (46 grants), Scranton, PA (27 grants), Kansas City, MO (26 grants) and Chicago, IL (17 grants).
Does William G McGowan Charitable Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of William G McGowan Charitable Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (288 of 298) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (10 grants).
Who are William G McGowan Charitable Fund's largest grantees?
William G McGowan Charitable Fund's largest 2025 grantees include King's College ($685,100 across 12 grants), Foodlink Inc ($250,000) and The Luzeme Fund ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($78,362), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is William G McGowan Charitable Fund?
William G McGowan Charitable Fund reported $229.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $10.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does William G McGowan Charitable Fund fund?
The Fund’s vision is to impact lives today, create sustainable change, and empower future generations to achieve their greatest potential. Its grantmaking focuses on education, human services, and healthcare. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from William G McGowan Charitable Fund?
The Fund’s website says applications are closed for 2026 grants and that it is not accepting Letters of Inquiry at this time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is William G McGowan Charitable Fund's EIN?
William G McGowan Charitable Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1829785. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in William G McGowan Charitable Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). William G McGowan Charitable Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/william-g-mcgowan-charitable-fund-morg_2eccf68bd621443cb1c5386c4ff047b6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521829785_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{William G McGowan Charitable Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/william-g-mcgowan-charitable-fund-morg_2eccf68bd621443cb1c5386c4ff047b6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from William G McGowan Charitable Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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