James & CK Coles Foundation
James & CK Coles Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.
Key facts about James & CK Coles Foundation
In short: James & CK Coles Foundation gave $246K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Montana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 26-1501605
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $245,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- Average grant
- $30,688
- Median grant
- $17,250
- Total assets
- $881,068
- Primary geography
- Montana (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$881K
-15.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$246K
+739.3% YoY
Grant Count
8
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
+529.5% YoY
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.
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.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 8 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $881,068 | $1,038,302 | $940,149 |
| Revenue | $91,547 | $130,124 | $79,605 |
| Expenses | $248,781 | $31,971 | $131,462 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $245,500 | $29,250 | $128,250 |
| Net Investment Income | $88,266 | $127,403 | $76,393 |
| Distributable Amount | $144,248 | $142,830 | $112,977 |
Data update history
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
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?
James & CK Coles Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Whitefish, MT. It holds $881K in total assets as of 2025.
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.
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