James O & Alice F Cole Foundation
The James O & Alice F Cole Foundation is a private foundation based in Peru, Indiana. In its 2025 filing, it reported 31 grants totaling $107,700 to charitable organizations, including organizations in Indiana and several other states.
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation at a glance
In short: James O & Alice F Cole Foundation gave $108K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Indiana. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $107,700
- +7.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- -3.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,474
- +10.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $2,137,830
- +20.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (3 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (63% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to James O & Alice F Cole Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 52 N Broadway, Peru, IN 46970
Phone: (765) 470-7090
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James O & Alice F Cole Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Indiana Historical Society ($12K). Together the top 10 received $75K.
Grant Size Distribution
162 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 162 grants of 162 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 63% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana and 25% to recipients in Alabama. The reported shares for other recipient states were Florida, 3%; Colorado, 3%; and Louisiana, 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is James O & Alice F Cole Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 31 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 90% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $90K (2021) to $114K (2022). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $108K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Historical Society Indianapolis, IN | To Fund Operations | $11,867 |
| Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Indianapolis, IN | To Fund Operations | $11,867 |
| Indiana Task Force 1 Indianapolis, IN | To Fund Operations | $11,866 |
| Indiana University Kokomo Kokomo, IN | To Fund Operations | $11,500 |
| Lakeland Center Coatsville, IN | To Fund Operations | $6,000 |
| NWSCC Foundation Muscle Shoals, AL | To Fund Operations | $6,000 |
| Miami Cty Economic Dev Assoc Peru, IN | To Fund Operations | $5,000 |
| Miami County YMCA Peru, IN | To Fund Operations | $4,000 |
| CRU US Ministry Orlando, FL | To Fund Operations | $3,584 |
| International Students Inc Attn Donor Services Colorado SPRGS, CO | To Fund Operations | $3,584 |
Ready to take the next step with James O & Alice F Cole 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,137,830 | $516,373 | $144,265 | $107,700 | 31 | $109,537 | $481,645 | $108,148 |
| 2024 | $1,769,205 | $208,375 | $137,744 | $100,291 | 32 | $102,297 | $172,928 | $109,506 |
| 2023 | $1,698,846 | $89,377 | $135,718 | $101,952 | 33 | $103,290 | $56,949 | $103,645 |
| 2022 | $1,745,203 | $127,746 | $150,586 | $113,849 | 33 | $116,070 | $93,230 | $104,157 |
| 2021 | $1,769,977 | $217,881 | $123,895 | $89,776 | 33 | $91,201 | $185,187 | $115,276 |
| 2020 | $1,680,633 | $261,646 | $124,480 | $91,720 | 33 | — | $231,694 | $92,582 |
| 2019 | $1,543,467 | $61,383 | $122,369 | $93,000 | 40 | — | $34,067 | $94,221 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James O & Alice F Cole Foundation reported a distributable amount of $108K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, the Indiana Historical Society describes its work as collecting, preserving, interpreting, and sharing Indiana history. CASA of Jefferson County says it advocates for abused and neglected children, while Alabama grantees Pathways Inc and First Light Inc describe work supporting women and children experiencing homelessness and people seeking emergency shelter and housing.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 31 grants totaling $107,700. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $11,867, with a median of $2,000. The largest grants included $11,867 each to the Indiana Historical Society and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, $11,866 to Indiana Task Force 1, and $11,500 to Indiana University Kokomo. Other grants included $6,000 each to Lakeland Center and NWSCC Foundation, and $5,000 to Miami County Economic Development Association. The listed grant purposes were to fund operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Steve Dobbs as president and treasurer, Fred Ashe as vice president, and Polly Dobbs as secretary.
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation is led by Steve Dobbs, President & Treasurer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steve Dobbs
President & Treasurer
President & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → President & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fred Ashe
Vice President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Polly Dobbs
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Elizabeth Ashe (2019–2021) — President
- Former: James Kubesch (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Sidney J. Kubesch (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 O & Alice F Cole Foundation
How much does James O & Alice F Cole Foundation give each year?
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation gave $108K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $100K across 32 grants.
What is James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's typical grant size?
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $3,474, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from James O & Alice F Cole Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does James O & Alice F Cole Foundation give grants?
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Alabama (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Birmingham, AL (11 grants), Peru, IN (5 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (3 grants).
Does James O & Alice F Cole Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Fund Operations" (31 grants).
Who are James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's largest grantees?
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Indiana Historical Society ($11,867), Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra ($11,867) and Indiana Task Force 1 ($11,866), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is James O & Alice F Cole Foundation?
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $110K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $108K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does James O & Alice F Cole Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, the Indiana Historical Society describes its work as collecting, preserving, interpreting, and sharing Indiana history. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James O & Alice F Cole Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's EIN?
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1989581. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does James O & Alice F Cole Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 15, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work James O & Alice F Cole Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James O & Alice F Cole Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Community Partnership of Alabama Inc
Birmingham, AL
Community Partnership of Alabama supports United Way of Central Alabama’s charitable work and programs addressing education, health, financial stability, access to services, and relief for people in need in Central Alabama, with senior services in Jefferson County. Its 2022 grants totaled about $1.15 million across 38 awards, with several listed grants of $50,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.7M
Grants
0
Total Given
$97K
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
The Shaughnessy Family Foundation
St. Louis, MO
The Shaughnessy Family Foundation’s 2024 grants supported Catholic institutions and other charitable organizations in Missouri, with awards ranging from $25,000 to $2,137,778 and a median of $57,500. It made its final asset distribution in 2024 and has wound down; it accepted requests only from preselected organizations, not unsolicited applications.
Assets
—
Grants
8
Total Given
$2.5M
Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust
Birmingham, AL
The Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust funds a range of charitable work, including community services, education, historic preservation, and mental health and disability services, with awards limited to Greater Birmingham. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,500 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing describes an application process but does not explicitly say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$14.1M
Grants
73
Total Given
$889K
Robert R Meyer Foundation
Birmingham, AL
The foundation supports a range of charitable work, including community services, food assistance, historic preservation, theatre, education, and land conservation, with most funding going to Alabama organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000, with a median of $20,000. It does not limit grants to preselected organizations; eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can contact Regions Bank for application materials, with spring and fall deadlines.
Assets
$35.7M
Grants
75
Total Given
$2.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Indiana
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James O & Alice F Cole Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-o-and-alice-f-cole-foundation-morg_d294cc5e65084e688eb34811baa92611
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351989581_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James O \& Alice F Cole Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-o-and-alice-f-cole-foundation-morg_d294cc5e65084e688eb34811baa92611},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 James O & Alice F Cole 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.
James O & Alice F Cole Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?