Bow Seat
Bow Seat is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its charitable work centers on youth, creative arts, and environmental conservation, including support for projects addressing ocean, waterways, and climate issues.
Bow Seat at a glance
In short: Bow Seat gave $36K across 20 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state Washington. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,987
- +91.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 20
- +122.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,799
- -13.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,006
- Total assets
- $207,578
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Washington (7% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Bow Seat
- How to Apply
-
The filing directs applicants to complete the online application for the True Blue Fellowship.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with decisions expected within approximately one month.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with decisions expected within approximately one month.
- Contact
Application contact: Linda Cabot
Mailing address: 185 Westfield Street, Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: (617) 933-3639
Website: https://bowseat.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Bow Seat funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bimochan Pathak ($2K).
Organizations only. It also paid 19 grants to individuals ($33,987), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
47 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 47 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The True Blue Fellowship is open to young people worldwide. In the 2025 filing, the state distribution of grant dollars lists Washington, California, and Texas at 7% each and New York at 3%; 70% is shown without a state designation.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 20 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Bow Seat gives
- Giving grew 489% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $600 (2021) to $36K (2025). In 2025 it made 20 grants totaling $36K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 19 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $33,987 |
| Bimochan Pathak | Foundation Grant | $2,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $207,578 | $636,926 | $614,756 | $35,987 | 20 | $614,756 |
| 2024 | $190,003 | $609,411 | $464,480 | $18,774 | 9 | $464,480 |
| 2023 | $40,477 | $460,076 | $439,008 | $19,890 | 10 | $439,008 |
| 2022 | $20,814 | $331,941 | $403,139 | $6,110 | 7 | $403,024 |
| 2021 | $92,568 | $425,287 | $398,276 | $600 | 1 | $398,161 |
| 2020 | $64,174 | $382,829 | $400,202 | $700 | 7 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Bow Seat says it works at the intersection of ocean science and arts education, using creative arts to help young people explore environmental issues and take action. The True Blue Fellowship supports youth-led projects that use creative arts as the primary method for awareness or action on ocean, waterways, or climate change issues, with community engagement and tangible local impact as goals.
The fellowship is open to individuals, groups, or organizations, and applicants may be from anywhere in the world. Eligible applicants are ages 16–24 at the start of the fellowship period; proposed projects must be new or emerging and less than two years old. The website describes the fellowship as providing mentorship, capacity building, peer support, and funding of up to $2,500.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Bow Seat reported 20 grants totaling $35,987. Grant amounts ranged from $401 to $2,686, with a median of $2,006. The largest listed awards were primarily fellowship grants to individual recipients; the filing also lists a $2,000 foundation grant. In 2024, Bow Seat reported 9 grants totaling $18,774, and in 2023 it reported 10 grants totaling $19,890.
The filing states that applicants should complete an online application. Awards require an eligibility and liability release, and, where lawful, a publicity release. Grantees must maintain regular communications with Future Blue Youth Council mentors and Bow Seat staff, respond promptly to inquiries, and attend virtual check-in meetings as requested. For grantees under 18, a parent or legal guardian must complete the releases on their behalf.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Linda Cabot as president, Edward Anderson as treasurer, Georgianna Anderson as clerk, and Noelle Anderson as director.
Bow Seat is led by Linda Cabot, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Linda Cabot
President
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Noelle Anderson
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Anderson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Georgianna Anderson
Clerk
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Bow Seat
How much does Bow Seat give each year?
Bow Seat gave $36K across 20 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $19K across 9 grants.
What is Bow Seat's typical grant size?
Bow Seat's median grant in 2025 was $2,006, and its average grant was $1,799, across 20 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Bow Seat give grants?
Bow Seat's top state is Washington, with 7% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (7%) and Texas (7%).
Does Bow Seat give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 20 grants with a stated purpose on Bow Seat's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Fellowship Grant" (19 grants).
How large is Bow Seat?
Bow Seat reported $208K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $637K.
What does Bow Seat fund?
Bow Seat says it works at the intersection of ocean science and arts education, using creative arts to help young people explore environmental issues and take action. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bow Seat?
The filing directs applicants to complete the online application for the True Blue Fellowship. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bow Seat's EIN?
Bow Seat's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2904502. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 23, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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