About Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation
We are tech-inspired global changemakers, optimists, and visionaries advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all.
Focus Areas
Emergent AIEmergent AI + SocietyData as a Public GoodDigital HealthJournalism & MediaClimateTech + WorkforceNeuroscienceSolidarityDigital Literacy
Who They Fund
civil society organizations / public charitiesunderserved regions and communitiesyoung adults experiencing housing insecurity
About Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation
The Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Inc. repeatedly backs institutions building AI and data capacity for public-interest work, with several $1.5 million grants aimed at climate, ethical AI, and human-centered technology. Recent awards show a pattern of supporting organizations that turn technical infrastructure into broader public value: UNESCO received multiple grants to advance ethical AI governance, while the World Resources Institute was funded to expand its Data Lab and strengthen climate-focused data access. The foundation also supports public-interest technology and policy work, including grants to Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and New America’s technology and democracy work. Its portfolio reaches beyond research institutions as well, with support for humanitarian response and conservation efforts that use data and AI tools. Across these grants, the foundation appears to favor organizations that can translate technical expertise into institutional capacity, policy influence, and scalable applications in climate, media, health, and civil society. Leadership is centered on Vilas Dhar, serving as trustee and president, and the organization funds both nonprofits and individuals.
What Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Funds
In climate and conservation, the foundation has backed data-heavy work at Conservation International Foundation, including support for data-driven conservation efforts and an AI tool for evaluating natural climate solutions projects. It has also funded the World Resources Institute to scale its Data Lab and support climate-focused AI innovation and global data accessibility. In AI governance and policy, UNESCO received grants to promote ethical governance of AI and to advance that work through civil society networks, policy frameworks, and knowledge resources. Public-interest technology is another clear theme: New Venture Fund received support for a public interest technology infrastructure fund designed to build equitable, accountable technology. The foundation also extended support to the United Nations for protecting human equity in a digital age.
How Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Gives
Typical grant size is $100,000 at the 25th percentile, $250,000 at the median, and $500,000 at the 75th percentile, which sits below the foundation’s largest recent awards of $1.5 million and above. The recent record includes repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, including UNESCO, the World Resources Institute, Conservation International Foundation, The Aspen Institute, Stanford, and Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund. That pattern suggests multi-year relationships rather than one-off gifts in several areas. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it makes grants nationally and globally. It also funds individuals and runs in-house accelerator and partnership models alongside conventional grants.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$66.2M
Total Assets
$1.5B
Total Revenue
$8.3M
Total Expenses
$78M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $100K and $500K, with a median of $250K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$250K
75th Percentile
$500K
Geographic Reach
National56 states funded
About 13% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Where Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation Funds
Top 10 recipient countries by grant volume for Patrick J Mcgovern Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 462 | $176.3M | 79.4% |
| 2 | Switzerland |
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