Cogswell Benevolent Trust
The Cogswell Benevolent Trust is a private foundation established in 1929 by Leander A. Cogswell, a New Hampshire businessman who spent most of his life in the shoe business in Manchester. The Trust was formally granted charitable status in January 1931 and is currently located in Bedford, New Hampshire. It operates as an independent foundation providing grants to charitable organizations to enhance the quality of life in New Hampshire.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.2M
+4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-20.3% YoY
Grant Count
108
-0.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
-19.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cogswell Benevolent Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust has no formally stated mission. However, its grantmaking priorities focus on:
- Basic needs and human services
- Health and healthcare
- Food pantries
- Children and youth services
- Out-of-school education programs
- Arts and culture
- Community development
The Trust supports nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and public agencies working in the public benefit.
Grantmaking
Trustees, Cogswell Benevolent Trust
Review Cycle
; proposals may be submitted at any time
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust primarily funds organizations located within New Hampshire. Limited funds may be available for out-of-state projects.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $33,175,388
- Total giving: $1,706,074
- Total revenues: $3,448,015
- Total expenses: $2,163,395
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $31,890,768 (ledger value)
- Income: $12,049,417
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,175,388 | $31,890,768 | $32,935,939 |
| Revenue | $3,448,015 | $1,601,867 | $1,483,678 |
| Expenses | $2,163,395 | $2,647,038 | $2,218,413 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,826,724 | $2,239,261 | $1,849,915 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,005,191 | $1,217,689 | $1,171,022 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,940,591 | $1,820,143 | $1,851,521 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Cogswell Benevolent Trust
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys & Girls Club of Manchester ($75,075), Casa New Hampshire ($75,000), Easter Seals Nh ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AV HOME CARE SERVICES BERLIN, NH | SUPPORT EXTERIOR REPAIR WORK | $10,000 |
| ALTON COMMUNITY SERVICES ALTON, NH | ALTON FOOD PANTRY | $2,500 |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION OF NEW ENGLAND PROVIDENCE, RI | CAMP CAREFREE CAMPERSHIPS FOR NH YOUTH | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE MUSEUM EXETER, NH | REPAIR WALLS IN LADD-GILMAN HOUSE | $11,200 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CONCORD, NH | DISASTER RELIEF & HOME FIRE FINANCIAL ASSIST | $12,000 |
| ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF NH BEDFORD, NH | RENOVATE THE ISLOATION ROOM | $10,000 |
| BEAR-PAW REGIONAL GREENWAYS NORTHWOOD, NH | CONSERVE COVELAND FARM | $10,000 |
| BEST BUDDIES NH BEDFORD, NH | SUPPORT FRIENDSHIP PROGRAMS | $5,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NH MANCHESTER, NH | TRAUMA INFORMED MENTORING INITIATIVE | $15,000 |
| BOSTON CENTER FOR DIABETES EDUCATION INC BOSTON, MA | CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES GOODWIN | TRUSTEE | 20 | $30,000 |
| PETER KACHAVOS | TRUSTEE | 20 | $30,000 |
| MARK NORTHRIDGE | TRUSTEE | 20 | $30,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant recipients include:
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Manchester: $75,075 for purchase of new bus (2024)
Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Nashua: $50,000 for renovation of temporary childcare classrooms (2024)
The Derryfield School: $50,000 for The Matarese Commons (2024)
American Independence Museum: $11,200 grant
American Independence Museum Receives $11,200 Grant from Cogswell BenevolentCOAST (Community Alliance for Social and Transportation): $25,000 to support construction of new facility
COAST Receives $25,000 Grant from Cogswell Benevolent Trust: To supportGibson Center: $10,615 grant
Wright Museum of World War II: Grant award recipient
American Independence Museum Receives $11,200 Grant from Cogswell BenevolentFrequently Asked Questions
What does Cogswell Benevolent Trust fund?
The Trust has no formally stated mission. However, its grantmaking priorities focus on: • Basic needs and human services • Health and healthcare • Food pantries • Children and youth services • Out-of-school education programs • Arts and culture • Community development The Trust supports nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and public agencies working in the public benefit.
How do I apply for a grant from Cogswell Benevolent Trust?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $2,000 to $150,000 • The Trust made 85 grants in 2024, totaling approximately $1.7 million in annual giving • The Trust often makes over 100 individual annual grants, many benefiting nonprofits without an existing relationship to the Trust or those who have not received consecutive-year funding **What the Trust Does Not Fund:** • General operating or start-up expenses • Feasibility studies • Endowments • Conferences • Film or video pr…
Where does Cogswell Benevolent Trust make grants?
The Trust primarily funds organizations located within New Hampshire. Limited funds may be available for out-of-state projects.
What size grants does Cogswell Benevolent Trust award?
In 2024, Cogswell Benevolent Trust awarded 108 grants totaling $1.7M — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cogswell Benevolent Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cogswell Benevolent Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cogswell Benevolent Trust's EIN?
Cogswell Benevolent Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 02-0235690. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cogswell Benevolent Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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