John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation
The John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1964 by Pearl Gunn Fowler in memory of her late husband, John Edward Fowler, a Northern Virginia businessman and banker. Based in Kensington, Maryland, the foundation is an independent grantmaking organization focused on empowering disadvantaged and at-risk populations through strategic philanthropic investments.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$66.4M
-1.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
-2.9% YoY
Grant Count
72
+1.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$40K
-4.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on empowering underserved and at-risk people. Primary funding interests include:
- Homelessness
- Hunger
- At-risk children and youth (pre-school through high school)
- Adult literacy
- Free medical care (prenatal to seniors)
- Seniors aging in place
- Job training and placement
- Childhood education
The foundation demonstrates a preference for hands-on, direct service organizations over umbrella agencies. It seeks evidence of sound management, fiscal responsibility, and volunteer involvement in potential grantees. The foundation particularly favors smaller, grassroots, neighborhood-based organizations that derive at least 50% of their revenue from private sources.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 88 grants totaling approximately $2.9 million. Notable recent grants include:
Grant Range
s and Types:**
Average Grant
amount in recent years reflects approximately $180 per grant across a large portfolio
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in:
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia
- Connecticut
- New York
The foundation awards grants to various cities across these five states, with particular concentration in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Annual Giving:
- Total Assets: $67.2 million (2023)
- Total Assets: $67,244,173 (2023)
- Total Revenues: $2,066,666 (2023)
- Total Expenses: $3,386,171 (2023)
- Total Liabilities: $98 (2023)
Annual Grant Activity:
- 2023: 88 grants totaling approximately $2.9 million
- 2024: 71 grants totaling approximately $2.9 million
- Annual expenses: approximately $3.4 million
The foundation's revenue is primarily derived from investment income.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $66,436,177 | $67,244,173 | $68,582,324 |
| Revenue | $2,714,917 | $2,066,666 | $2,581,272 |
| Expenses | $3,473,078 | $3,386,171 | $3,543,140 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,655,923 | $1,943,072 | $2,349,908 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Glenbrook Cooperative Nursery School ($300,000), DC Central Kitchen ($170,000), Lisner Home for Aged Women ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Frank House Inc Washington, DC | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Arlington Thrive Inc Arlington, VA | General operating | $40,000 |
| Art Enables Inc Washington, DC | General operating | $15,000 |
| Arts for the Aging Gaithersburg, MD | General operating | $20,000 |
| Barker Adoption Foundation Bethesda, MD | General operating | $50,000 |
| Bishop Walker School for Boys Washington, DC | General operating | $35,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington Washington, DC | General operating | $100,000 |
| Bright Beginnings Washington, DC | General operating | $60,000 |
| Building Bridges Across the River Washington, DC | General Operating | $75,000 |
| Washington School for Girls Washington, DC | General Operating | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Chair: Michael P Bentzen
- President: Jeffery P Capron
- Trustees: Brian Bentzen and Kelly Capron
- Staff: 4 employees (as of 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael P Bentzen | Chair | 10 | $65,000 |
| Jeffery P Capron | President | 15 | $65,000 |
| Brian Bentzen | Trustee | 5 | $52,000 |
| Kelly Capron | Trustee | 5 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 10304 Montgomery Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895-3327
- Phone: 703-214-2266
- Website: fdnweb.org/fowler
- EIN: 51-6019469
- Tax-Exempt Status: 501(c)(3), tax-exempt since April 1966
Frequently Asked Questions
What does John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on empowering underserved and at-risk people. Primary funding interests include: • Homelessness • Hunger • At-risk children and youth (pre-school through high school) • Adult literacy • Free medical care (prenatal to seniors) • Seniors aging in place • Job training and placement • Childhood education The foundation demonstrates a preference for hands-on, direct service organizations over umbrella agencies. It seeks evidence of sound management, fiscal responsibi…
How do I apply for a grant from John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation?
**Grant Sizes and Types:** • First-time grants typically receive less than $10,000, depending on the nature and size of the applicant • Larger grant requests are commonly approved where there is demonstrated need, an ongoing relationship, or for capital purpose grants (awarded only to prior grantees) • Typical award range: $5,000–$325,000 • Average grant amount in recent years reflects approximately $180 per grant across a large portfolio **Recent Activity:** In 2023, the foundation made 88 gra…
Where does John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in: • District of Columbia • Maryland • Virginia • Connecticut • New York The foundation awards grants to various cities across these five states, with particular concentration in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
What size grants does John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation award?
In 2024, John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation awarded 72 grants totaling $2.9M — an average of about $40K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation's EIN?
John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-6019469. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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