James & CK Coles Foundation
James & CK Coles Foundation is a private foundation, based in Whitefish, MT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $881K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $246K. Net investment income was $88K.
James & CK Coles Foundation at a glance
In short: James & CK Coles Foundation gave $246K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Montana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $245,500
- +739.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $30,688
- +529.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,250
- Total assets
- $881,068
- -15.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Montana (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who James & CK Coles Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Logan Health Foundation ($150K). Together the top 8 received $246K.
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 30 grants of 34 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How James & CK Coles Foundation gives
- Giving grew 119% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 170% 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $29K (2024) to $246K (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $246K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Logan Health Foundation Kalispell, MT | Operations | $150,000 |
| Child Bridge Big Fork, MT | Operations | $25,000 |
| The Nationsl WW II Musuem New Orleans, LA | Operations | $25,000 |
| Whitefish Presbyterian Church Whitefish, MT | Operations | $20,000 |
| The Skola Foundation Whitefish, MT | Operations | $14,500 |
| Whitefish Community Foundation Whitefish, MT | Operations | $10,000 |
| Fractured Atlas Harrtsdale, NY | Operations | $500 |
| The Wave Center Whiterfish, MT | Operations | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $881,068 | $91,547 | $248,781 | $245,500 | 8 | $245,500 | $88,266 | $144,248 |
| 2024 | $1,038,302 | $130,124 | $31,971 | $29,250 | 6 | $29,250 | $127,403 | $142,830 |
| 2023 | $940,149 | $79,605 | $131,462 | $128,250 | 6 | $128,250 | $76,393 | $112,977 |
| 2022 | $992,006 | $59,725 | $115,180 | $112,000 | 7 | $112,000 | $56,545 | $101,433 |
| 2021 | $1,047,461 | $89,419 | $144,394 | $141,500 | 7 | $141,500 | $86,525 | $105,521 |
| 2020 | $1,102,436 | $58,711 | $161,862 | $159,950 | 14 | — | $59,903 | $93,871 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James & CK Coles Foundation reported a distributable amount of $144K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
James & CK Coles Foundation is led by James E Coles, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James E Coles
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
CK Coles
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather S Coles
Coordinator
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vernon C Bennett CPA
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 James & CK Coles Foundation
How much does James & CK Coles Foundation give each year?
James & CK Coles Foundation gave $246K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $29K across 6 grants.
What is James & CK Coles Foundation's typical grant size?
James & CK Coles Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,250, and its average grant was $30,688, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James & CK Coles Foundation give grants?
James & CK Coles Foundation gives mostly in Montana: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Louisiana (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Whitefish, MT (3 grants).
Does James & CK Coles Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on James & CK Coles Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (8 grants).
Who are James & CK Coles Foundation's largest grantees?
James & CK Coles Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Logan Health Foundation ($150,000), Child Bridge ($25,000) and The Nationsl WW II Musuem ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is James & CK Coles Foundation?
James & CK Coles Foundation reported $881K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $246K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $144K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is James & CK Coles Foundation's EIN?
James & CK Coles Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1501605. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work James & CK Coles Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James & CK Coles Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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