Letter from the 2024 Annual Report
As we interviewed this year’s grantees, a theme quickly presented itself. Every organization we spoke with relayed to us how important partnership had been in their work, especially in the post-COVID years. All highlighted the necessity of teamwork. On their own, in small ways, the grantees were successful in helping their community, but none of them could make the large-scale impact they dreamed of without assistance. All five of the organizations featured in this year’s annual report spoke of the value of community partners, as well as partnerships formed with state organizations and partnerships with foundations such as McGowan. With partners, these nonprofits could not only provide more services, but also could ultimately help more people.
The title of this year’s annual report, Strength in Numbers, speaks to the core belief that we are stronger and more effective when we work as a team.
The goal is not to do this work singlehandedly, but to do it in the best way possible. Nonprofit work often requires a stripping of the ego; there is nothing to prove, only assistance to give. Strength in Numbers also refers to the strong quantitative data that the featured grantees are able to show. These organizations have the numbers to back up the work that they’re doing. They’re making real change and they’re willing to do what is necessary to continue helping their communities, even if that’s saying that they can’t do it alone.
In our McGowan Fellows Program, the importance of teamwork is imprinted upon the next generation of ethical leaders, and we hope they use their two years with us building a deep connection with their cohorts. Our Ethical Leader of the Year judges all shared that finding a winner meant looking not just at how candidates lead with purpose, but also how they must show concern for their communities, employees, and overall social impact. A successful organization is not just its CEO, it’s everyone down the line who works together to achieve a shared goal.
The McGowan Fund is deeply grateful to partner with so many wonderful grantee organizations, such intelligent and optimistic business students through our Fellows Program, and an abundance of thoughtful leaders all working together to highlight the principles we hold dear with our Ethical Leader of the Year Award. We too are a team, from our board to our program directors to our interns. Thank you all for making our work possible.
Sincerely,
William P. McGowan, Chair
Brian Peckrill, Executive Director