The McGowan Fund honors the legacy of William G. McGowan by prioritizing programs that demonstrate success, measurable outcomes, and sustainability plans, aiming to end cycles of poverty and suffering. It focuses on education, emphasizing academic achievement, high school graduation, and college success; human services, with an emphasis on homelessness; and healthcare & medical research, particularly in preventing cardiac disease and reversing metabolic syndrome through lifestyle management.
The grant program from the McGowan Fund supports initiatives across three main areas: Education, Human Services, and Healthcare. For Education, it targets programs that address achievement gaps and disparities among students, supporting out-of-school programs, alternative schooling options, and scholarships for high-achieving students in private settings. In Human Services, the focus is on breaking the cycles of poverty and homelessness by stabilizing housing, ensuring food and clothing security, promoting adult education, and preventing homelessness. For Healthcare, the grants aid in providing access to essential services like primary care, dental, vision, and mental health services for families lacking healthcare options. The fund operates in five geographic regions, emphasizing innovative programs with measurable improvements.