The Gow Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Bellevue, Washington, established in 2012. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since February 2013. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations primarily in Washington state, with emphasis on King County and the broader Pacific Northwest region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+11.7% YoY
Grant Count
34
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
+11.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a public website or published mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation prioritizes:
- Human services
- Education
- Children and youth
- Immigrants and refugees
- Human and civil rights
- Reproductive justice
- Mental health, housing, and homelessness services
The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in youth organizations, foster care services, and educational institutions in the Seattle area.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides project support and general operating grants.
Grant Range
$10,000–$220,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Washington state (emphasis on King County and Seattle area)
- California
- Oregon
- Pacific Northwest region
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $16,446,275
- Total giving: $1,960,000
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $17,029,833
- Total revenues: $4,004,016
- Total expenses: $2,314,710
- Total grants, contributions: $2,000,000
- Investment income and dividends: $996,565
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $672,306
Staffing: The foundation operates with 0 employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
155 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pottery Northwest ($220,000), Planned Parenthood ($200,000), Center for Independent Documentary ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMARA SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| BELLEVUE LIFESPRING BELLEVUE, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| CAMP KOREY CARNATION, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $25,000 |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON DBA AKIN SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| COCOON HOUSE EVERETT, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $20,000 |
| DELTA GAMMA FOUNDATION COLUMBUS, OH | GENERAL PURPOSES | $20,000 |
| HOUSING HOPE EVERETT, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| IFWHENHOW LAWYERING FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE OAKLAND, CA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $100,000 |
| ISLANDWOOD BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $50,000 |
| ISSAQUAH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION BELLEVUE, WA | GENERAL PURPOSES | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is steered by:
- Jeffrey D. Gow — Co-founder; former CEO of Polygon Northwest Company, a homebuilder in the Seattle and Portland areas
- Pamela Gow — Co-founder
Additional officers include Jacquelin Gow, Robin Gow, and Patricia Kurkiewicz.
Both Jeffrey and Pamela Gow attended the University of British Columbia and have supported that institution through the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFERY GOW | CHAIR | — | — |
| PAMELA GOW | VICE CHAIR | — | — |
| PATRICIA KURKIEWICZ | SECRETARY | — | — |
| ROBIN GOW | TREASURER | — | — |
| JACQUELINE GOW | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent giving has indicated the foundation maintains an interest in reproductive justice and immigrants' rights. The foundation has supported organizations including:
Gochman Family Donates To USHJA Foundation For Pony Finals GrantAmara (foster care services)
Art with Heart
Bellevue LifeSpring (providing food, clothing, education, and emergency assistance to Bellevue's children and families)
Rainier Prep
Rainier Scholars
YMCA
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gow Family Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a public website or published mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation prioritizes: • Human services • Education • Children and youth • Immigrants and refugees • Human and civil rights • Reproductive justice • Mental health, housing, and homelessness services The foundation has demonstrated particular interest in youth organizations, foster care services, and educational institutions in the Seattle area.
How do I apply for a grant from Gow Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total annual giving: $1,960,000 (2024) • Total giving: $1,960,000 (2024) • Typical grant range: $10,000–$220,000 • Made 29 grants in 2023 **Recent Grants (2023):** • Yuan Tze Ren Xue Center: $150,000 • Vancouver Foundation: $124,100 • Pottery Northwest: $100,000 **Types of Support:** The foundation provides project support and general operating grants. **Application Process:** The foundation lacks a formal website. Grantseekers may request application materials by contacti…
Where does Gow Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Washington state (emphasis on King County and Seattle area) • California • Oregon • Pacific Northwest region
What size grants does Gow Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Gow Family Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $58K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Gow Family Foundation's EIN?
Gow Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0986449. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gow Family Foundation'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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