Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation
The Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation is a private foundation based in Spokane, Washington. Established in 1944 by William H. Cowles in memory of his wife, Harriet Cheney Cowles, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since September 1948.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.4M
+1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$570K
-24.1% YoY
Grant Count
6
+200.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$95K
-74.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation reported a distributable amount of $783K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is dedicated mainly to capital projects with a focus on civic, arts, cultural, and educational endeavors. Primary funding areas include education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $200,000 to $750,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds projects within the circulation footprint of The Spokesman-Review, with a focus on the Spokane, Washington region and surrounding areas.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $12,402,643 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $570,000 (2024)
Total Assets (2023): $12.3 million
Total Liabilities: $0 (2023)
Cumulative Impact: Since its inception in 1944, the foundation has contributed nearly $20 million in support for projects within its service area.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,402,643 | $12,253,970 | $12,665,961 |
| Revenue | $806,563 | $429,390 | $663,777 |
| Expenses | $657,890 | $841,381 | $1,111,654 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $576,420 | $757,403 | $1,011,545 |
| Net Investment Income | $740,142 | $358,043 | $549,914 |
| Distributable Amount | $783,373 | $737,416 | $750,960 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
70 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Innovia Foundation ($250,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County ($120,000), Inland Northwest Land Conservancy ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MULTI-ETHNIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (AHANA) SPOKANE, WA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $50,000 |
| INNOVIA FOUNDATION SPOKANE, WA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $250,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SPOKANE COUNTY SPOKANE, WA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $120,000 |
| INLAND NORTHWEST LAND CONSERVANCY SPOKANE, WA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $100,000 |
| SEATTLE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $25,000 |
| VILLAGE COHOUSING WORKS SPOKANE, WA | GENERAL FUNDING | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WS COWLES | TRUSTEE/VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| EA COWLES | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| SR RECTOR | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation fund?
The foundation is dedicated mainly to capital projects with a focus on civic, arts, cultural, and educational endeavors. Primary funding areas include education, philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services.
How do I apply for a grant from Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $200,000 to $750,000. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed $570,000 in grants based on the most recent filing data. **Supported Organizations:** The foundation has provided support to a diverse range of organizations including: • The Martin Woldson Theatre at the Fox • The Spokane Symphony Society • The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture • YMCA and YWCA • Whitworth University • Girl Scouts of the Inland Northwest • Hospice of Spokane • The K…
Where does Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds projects within the circulation footprint of The Spokesman-Review, with a focus on the Spokane, Washington region and surrounding areas.
What size grants does Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation award?
In 2024, Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation awarded 6 grants totaling $570K — an average of about $95K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation reported a distributable amount of $783K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation's EIN?
Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-0689268. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Harriet Cheney Cowles 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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