J A McGowan Foundation
J A McGowan Foundation is a private foundation, based in Plains, MT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $236K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $17K. Net investment income was $34K.
J A McGowan Foundation at a glance
In short: J A McGowan Foundation gave $17K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Montana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $17,094
- +241.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +600.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,442
- -51.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $235,764
- +6.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Montana (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who J A McGowan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Plains Public Schools ($8K). Together the top 7 received $17K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 28 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How J A McGowan Foundation gives
- Giving grew 58% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 183% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2023) to $17K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $17K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Plains Public Schools Plains, MT | K-12 Education | $8,094 |
| St James Catholic Church Plains, MT | General Operating Purposes | $1,500 |
| First Lutheran Church Plains, MT | General Operating Purposes | $1,500 |
| Clark Fork Baptist Church Plains, MT | General Operating Purposes | $1,500 |
| Harvest Community Church of God Plains, MT | General Operating Purposes | $1,500 |
| Plains United Methodist Plains, MT | General Operating Purposes | $1,500 |
| The Gospel Way Plains, MT | General Operating Purposes | $1,500 |
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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 | $235,764 | $37,934 | $23,616 | $17,094 | 7 | $19,789 | $34,107 | $10,794 |
| 2023 | $221,814 | $12,285 | $7,724 | $5,000 | 1 | $6,220 | $10,781 | $11,594 |
| 2022 | $217,253 | $13,683 | $15,082 | $12,048 | 6 | $13,043 | $10,282 | $12,709 |
| 2021 | $218,652 | $16,226 | $14,296 | $10,840 | 7 | $12,525 | $14,460 | $13,733 |
| 2020 | $219,519 | $12,860 | $13,285 | $10,000 | 7 | — | $11,384 | $12,562 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, J A McGowan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
J A McGowan Foundation is led by Matt Diehl, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Matt Diehl
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Bruce Swanson
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kathy Gregg
Secretary - Treasurer
Secretary - Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary - Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Dacy Holland
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Denise Benson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Dave Helterline (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Brian Taylor (2020) — Board Member
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 J A McGowan Foundation
How much does J A McGowan Foundation give each year?
J A McGowan Foundation gave $17K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5K across 1 grant.
What is J A McGowan Foundation's typical grant size?
J A McGowan Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,500, and its average grant was $2,442, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does J A McGowan Foundation give grants?
J A McGowan Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Plains, MT (7 grants).
Does J A McGowan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 86% of J A McGowan Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are J A McGowan Foundation's largest grantees?
J A McGowan Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Plains Public Schools ($8,094), St James Catholic Church ($1,500) and First Lutheran Church ($1,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is J A McGowan Foundation?
J A McGowan Foundation reported $236K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $20K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $11K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is J A McGowan Foundation's EIN?
J A McGowan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-6018450. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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