James S Bower Foundation
The James S. Bower Foundation is a private foundation based in Santa Barbara, California. It supports public 501(c)(3) nonprofits, with most of its giving focused on Santa Barbara’s South Coast, and backs work intended to foster positive social and cultural change.
James S Bower Foundation at a glance
In short: James S Bower Foundation gave $3.2M across 60 grants in 2024 (avg $53K), mostly in California. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,170,750
- -4.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 60
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $52,846
- -4.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $89,017,606
- +3.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (16 of 60, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to James S Bower Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation invites applicants to submit proposals through its online process. Applicants should provide the required LOI and documents and confirm nonprofit eligibility. The foundation reviews proposals for alignment with its priorities, clarity, and potential impact. It may request additional information or arrange a conversation or site visit. Awards are limited to educational, scientific, religious, and charitable categories.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation states that its 2026 funding cycle accepts initial proposals from June 1 through June 30, 2026.
- Deadline
- The foundation states that its 2026 funding cycle accepts initial proposals from June 1 through June 30, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: Jon Clark
Mailing address: 26 W Micheltorena, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 564-8814
Website: https://www.jsbowerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from James S Bower Foundation
Who James S Bower Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Environmental Council Inc ($400K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
278 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 181 grants of 278 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says that, with few exceptions, its grantmaking area is the Santa Barbara South Coast, between Rincon Point and Point Conception, the Santa Ynez Mountains, and the Channel Islands. In 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in California; the remaining shares went to recipients in DC (3%), Colorado (2%), Wisconsin (2%), and Missouri (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 60 itemized grants.
Cities
Is James S Bower Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 60 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $55K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.2M (2024) to $3.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 60 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Environmental Council Inc Santa Barbara, CA | Climate Change 50TH Anniversary Campaign | $400,000 |
| Carpinteria Children's Project Carpinteria, CA | Early Childhood Education & Family Resource Center | $290,000 |
| Hospice of Santa Barbara Inc Santa Barbara, CA | Advance Care Planning and Patient Care Services | $222,500 |
| Leap Learn Engage Advocate Partner Goleta, CA | General Operating Support | $175,000 |
| Child Abuse Listening Mediation Inc Santa Barbara, CA | Coalition consultant regarding payment reform; invest in infrastructure & excellence | $150,000 |
| Unite to Light Santa Barbara, CA | Piloting Clean, Reliable Energy for Global Climate Action | $150,000 |
| Santa Barbara Education Foundation Santa Barbara, CA | Innovate dp; mission scholars; ollin project; kind mind program | $112,000 |
| Center for Urban Agriculture at FAI Goleta, CA | Phase 1 of the campaign to redesign and rebuild fairview gardens farm | $100,000 |
| Fund for Santa Barbara Inc Santa Barbara, CA | NPRN & Capacity Building; Social Justice Academy | $80,000 |
| Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foun Santa Barbara, CA | Cottage/Peac Outreach Program; Goals of Care Program | $80,000 |
Ready to take the next step with James S Bower 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $89,017,606 | $2,747,828 | $4,501,758 | $3,170,750 | 60 | $4,024,506 | $2,350,288 | $4,524,185 |
| 2023 | $86,066,816 | $2,637,099 | $4,331,922 | $3,311,855 | 60 | $4,128,822 | $2,256,194 | $4,092,456 |
| 2022 | $82,570,902 | $7,056,112 | $5,135,166 | $3,862,100 | 57 | $4,440,217 | $6,691,763 | $4,095,647 |
| 2021 | $96,825,144 | $11,708,383 | $4,237,860 | $3,224,000 | 51 | $4,035,765 | $11,385,618 | $4,427,081 |
| 2020 | $91,586,664 | $2,992,640 | $4,161,071 | $3,320,872 | 50 | — | $2,701,179 | $3,622,450 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James S Bower Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it supports the positive social and cultural evolution of the world through compassionate action and social change. Its stated interests include educational, developmental, and health processes for infants, children, and youth; similar processes for seniors and others at the end of life; and environmental conditions, particularly climate change.
It gives priority to projects that seek to change how culture, the economy, or political systems address an issue. It also supports projects with lasting benefits and services that track their impacts. The foundation is interested in collective impact and may structure grants around multiple-year milestones. Its filing states that grants are limited to educational, scientific, religious, and charitable categories.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work among its grantees. Community Environmental Council says it works on environmental issues affecting the California Central Coast, including regional solutions to climate change. Carpinteria Children’s Project says it connects families to early education, quality care, resources, and support services. Hospice of Santa Barbara describes providing support to people facing life-threatening illness and to those grieving a loss.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 60 grants totaling $3,170,750. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $400,000, with a median of $27,500.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $400,000 to Community Environmental Council for a climate change 50th anniversary campaign; $290,000 to Carpinteria Children’s Project for early childhood education and a family resource center; $222,500 to Hospice of Santa Barbara for advance care planning and patient care services; and $175,000 to LEAP for general operating support. Other notable awards included $150,000 to Child Abuse Listening Mediation and $150,000 to Unite to Light.
To apply, eligible organizations submit an initial proposal through the foundation’s online process. The requested materials include a Letter of Inquiry of no more than two pages, a 501(c)(3) determination letter, the most recent Form 990 or audited financial statements, and a project budget. The LOI should cover the project, goals and outcomes, milestones, approach, timing, budget, and amount requested. The foundation encourages prospective applicants to discuss fit before applying and says submitting earlier in the cycle allows more opportunity for dialogue.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Harvey Bottelsen as chairman, Christopher A. Jacobs as secretary, David Alvarado as treasurer, and Jon Clark as president.
James S Bower Foundation is led by Jon Clark, President on every filing since 2020; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jon Clark
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$236K (2020) → $288K (2024)
Christopher A. Jacobs
Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$30K (2020) → $30K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: David Alvarado (2020–2024) — Treasurer · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Harvey Bottelsen (2020–2024) — Chairman · Filing note: Thru 123124
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $288K, to Jon Clark (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about James S Bower Foundation
How much does James S Bower Foundation give each year?
James S Bower Foundation gave $3.2M across 60 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.3M across 60 grants.
What is James S Bower Foundation's typical grant size?
James S Bower Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $27,500, and its average grant was $52,846, across 60 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from James S Bower Foundation that year got $47K on average.
Where does James S Bower Foundation give grants?
James S Bower Foundation gives mostly in California: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Barbara, CA (39 grants), Goleta, CA (4 grants), Lompoc, CA (3 grants) and Carpinteria, CA (2 grants).
Does James S Bower Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of James S Bower Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 60) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are James S Bower Foundation's largest grantees?
James S Bower Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Community Environmental Council Inc ($400,000), Carpinteria Children's Project ($290,000) and Hospice of Santa Barbara Inc ($222,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is James S Bower Foundation?
James S Bower Foundation reported $89.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does James S Bower Foundation fund?
The foundation says it supports the positive social and cultural evolution of the world through compassionate action and social change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James S Bower Foundation?
The foundation invites applicants to submit proposals through its online process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James S Bower Foundation's EIN?
James S Bower Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0229243. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James S Bower Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-s-bower-foundation-morg_49736d06becd4fddb3ea3b636d1b3038
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770229243_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James S Bower Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-s-bower-foundation-morg_49736d06becd4fddb3ea3b636d1b3038},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 S Bower 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 S Bower Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?