GOW Family Foundation
GOW Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Bellevue, Washington. Its 2024 filing reports $1,960,000 in grants to 34 organizations. The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
GOW Family Foundation at a glance
In short: GOW Family Foundation gave $2.0M across 34 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in Washington. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,960,000
- +11.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $57,647
- +11.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $37,500
- Total assets
- $16,446,275
- -3.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (2 of 34, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (66% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to GOW Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its filing says grant application materials are available from the foundation; it lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Jeffery Gow - Gow Family Foundation
Mailing address: 11624 Se Fifth Street Suite 210, Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: (425) 559-2300
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who GOW Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pottery Northwest ($220K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
155 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 155 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, 19% to California, and 10% to Massachusetts. The filing also reports 3% for an unspecified state and 1% for Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
Cities
Is GOW Family Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 34 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $150K; repeat grants $52K. How we count
Medians: $150K first-time, $33K repeat.
- 91% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 35% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 240% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2021) to $2.1M (2020). In 2024 it made 34 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pottery Northwest Seattle, WA | General Purposes | $220,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Seattle, WA | General Purposes | $200,000 |
| Center for Independent Documentary Newton, MA | General Purposes | $200,000 |
| Yuan TZE REN XUE Center Orinda, CA | General Purposes | $150,000 |
| YWCA of Seattlekingsnohomish County Seattle, WA | General Purposes | $150,000 |
| Ifwhenhow Lawyering for Reproductive Justice Oakland, CA | General Purposes | $100,000 |
| Inquiring Systems Santa Rosa, CA | General Purposes | $100,000 |
| Islandwood Bainbridge Island, WA | General Purposes | $50,000 |
| Life Enrichement Options Seattle, WA | General Purposes | $50,000 |
| Northwest Community Bail Fund Seattle, WA | General Purposes | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with GOW Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,446,275 | $2,176,594 | $2,867,707 | $1,960,000 | 34 | $1,960,000 | $1,272,474 | $815,822 |
| 2023 | $17,029,833 | $4,004,016 | $2,314,710 | $1,754,100 | 34 | $1,754,100 | $1,460,776 | $759,703 |
| 2022 | $16,119,253 | $2,163,456 | $1,954,063 | $1,595,000 | 34 | $1,595,000 | $1,216,718 | $870,177 |
| 2021 | $16,293,644 | $1,946,546 | $1,700,801 | $1,450,000 | 26 | $1,450,000 | $1,737,020 | $1,037,586 |
| 2020 | $16,000,145 | $1,589,501 | $2,199,961 | $2,068,059 | 27 | — | $468,461 | $887,913 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, GOW Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $816K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. Pottery Northwest says it promotes excellence in ceramic arts through an inclusive community centered in clay. Rainier Scholars says it cultivates the academic potential and leadership skills of underrepresented students. IslandWood says it provides hands-on learning experiences intended to encourage lifelong learning and environmental and community stewardship.
Other recipients describe work in education and opportunity: Washington Women in Need says it provides scholarships and support to help Washington women facing barriers succeed in college and careers, while FareStart says it transforms lives and nourishes communities through food, life-skills, and job training. Northwest Community Bail Fund says it works to abolish cash bail and pretrial detention by posting bail at no cost for people who cannot afford it.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $1,960,000 in 34 grants. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $220,000, with a median of $37,500. The foundation gave $1,754,100 in 34 grants in 2023 and $1,595,000 in 34 grants in 2022.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $220,000 to Pottery Northwest; $200,000 each to Planned Parenthood in Seattle and the Center for Independent Documentary in Newton, Massachusetts; $150,000 each to Yuan Tze Ren Xue Center and YWCA of Seattle-King-Snohomish County; and $100,000 each to If/When/How Lawyering for Reproductive Justice and Inquiring Systems. These grants were listed for general purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jeffery Gow as chair, Pamela Gow as vice chair, Patricia Kurkiewicz as secretary, Robin Gow as treasurer, and Jacqueline Gow as director.
GOW Family Foundation is led by Jeffery Gow, Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeffery Gow
Chair
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jacqueline Gow
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Pamela Gow
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Patricia Kurkiewicz
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robin Gow
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 GOW Family Foundation
How much does GOW Family Foundation give each year?
GOW Family Foundation gave $2.0M across 34 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.8M across 34 grants.
What is GOW Family Foundation's typical grant size?
GOW Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $37,500, and its average grant was $57,647, across 34 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from GOW Family Foundation that year got $150K on average.
Where does GOW Family Foundation give grants?
GOW Family Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (19%) and Massachusetts (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (15 grants), Bellevue, WA (4 grants) and Everett, WA (4 grants).
Does GOW Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of GOW Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (34 of 34) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are GOW Family Foundation's largest grantees?
GOW Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Pottery Northwest ($220,000), Planned Parenthood ($200,000) and Center for Independent Documentary ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is GOW Family Foundation?
GOW Family Foundation reported $16.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $816K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does GOW Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. Pottery Northwest says it promotes excellence in ceramic arts through an inclusive community centered in clay. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from GOW Family Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does GOW Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work GOW Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in GOW Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). GOW Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gow-family-foundation-morg_090077c09afd4d4eaf0713b32368bccf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_460986449_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{GOW Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gow-family-foundation-morg_090077c09afd4d4eaf0713b32368bccf},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from GOW Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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