Powell Foundation Inc
Powell Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon. Its 2024 grants supported nonprofits in the arts, education, and human services.
Powell Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Powell Foundation Inc gave $90K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in Oregon. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $90,250
- -2.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- -11.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,641
- +9.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $1,376,013
- -3.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (94% 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 Powell Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that no required application form needs to be submitted and that no submission deadlines currently exist. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing states a preference for programs dealing with children and child abuse.
- Contact
Application contact: Brian N Dirks Attorney
Mailing address: 805 Sw Broadway Suite 1900, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 417-2163
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Powell Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Chamber Music Northwest ($55K). Together the top 10 received $86K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 77 grants of 80 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon and 6% to a recipient in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Powell Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 16 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $41K (2022) to $93K (2023). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $90K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber Music Northwest Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $55,000 |
| College Possible Oregon Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Central City Concern Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $9,000 |
| Power to Decide Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $5,000 |
| Meals on Wheels People Inc Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $1,500 |
| Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship Co Volunteers of America Oregon Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
| De La Salle Catholic High School Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
| Outside IN Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of the Columbiawillamette Inc Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
| The Dougy Center Portland, OR | General Operating Support | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Powell Foundation Inc?
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 | $1,376,013 | $104,500 | $158,080 | $90,250 | 16 | $95,477 | $44,402 | $92,435 |
| 2023 | $1,429,593 | $105,905 | $155,305 | $92,750 | 18 | $95,313 | $46,890 | $90,892 |
| 2022 | $1,478,993 | $106,276 | $103,363 | $40,750 | 14 | $43,223 | $46,610 | $96,457 |
| 2021 | $1,476,080 | $150,622 | $162,196 | $91,750 | 16 | $95,302 | $88,407 | $92,216 |
| 2020 | $1,487,654 | $98,789 | $166,107 | $91,750 | 16 | — | $74,997 | $92,487 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Powell Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $92K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing says it supports operating costs, agency programs, and specific projects, and considers capital projects on a case-by-case basis. It also states a preference for programs dealing with children and child abuse.
Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. Chamber Music Northwest describes its work as presenting small-ensemble music and providing education and engagement programs. Central City Concern says it works to end homelessness and support self-sufficiency through housing and social services. The Dougy Center says it provides a safe place for children, teens, young adults, and families grieving a death to share their experiences.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $90,250. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $55,000, with a median of $1,000.
The largest grants included $55,000 to Chamber Music Northwest, $10,000 to College Possible Oregon, and $9,000 to Central City Concern. Other notable awards were $5,000 to Power to Decide and $1,500 to Meals on Wheels People Inc. The listed grants were for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Alice Powell as president and director, Michael Powell as secretary and director, and Emily Powell and Miriam Sontz as directors.
Powell Foundation Inc is led by Alice Powell, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alice Powell
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Powell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Powell
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Miriam Sontz
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Powell Foundation Inc
How much does Powell Foundation Inc give each year?
Powell Foundation Inc gave $90K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $93K across 18 grants.
What is Powell Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Powell Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $5,641, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Powell Foundation Inc give grants?
Powell Foundation Inc gives mostly in Oregon: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (14 grants).
Does Powell Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Powell Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Powell Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Powell Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Chamber Music Northwest ($55,000), College Possible Oregon ($10,000) and Central City Concern ($9,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Powell Foundation Inc?
Powell Foundation Inc reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $95K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $92K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Powell Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s filing says it supports operating costs, agency programs, and specific projects, and considers capital projects on a case-by-case basis. It also states a preference for programs dealing with children and child abuse. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Powell Foundation Inc?
The filing states that no required application form needs to be submitted and that no submission deadlines currently exist. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Powell Foundation Inc's EIN?
Powell Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-0986542. 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Powell Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Oregon Community Foundation
Portland, OR
The Oregon Community Foundation funds Oregon nonprofits and community-serving projects across education, health, arts and culture, housing, economic and community vitality, and the environment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to nearly $8 million; applications are accepted through specific grant programs and cycles, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
2,149
Total Given
$171.4M
OCF Joseph E Weston Public Foundation
Portland, OR
The foundation supports nonprofits serving children, working-poor people, people with disabilities, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness, and also awards school scholarships. It primarily funds Oregon, with grants and scholarships also serving Southwest Washington; in 2024, grants ranged from $5,500 to $3,487,608, with a median of $21,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$637.5M
Grants
531
Total Given
$23.3M
Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation
Wilsonville, OR
The Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation supports Oregon nonprofits working in education, community, arts and creativity, health, and well-being, often through unrestricted operating grants. Its 2024 grants had a median of $18,000, though awards ranged widely; it also has a Washington Fund for organizations serving Washington and/or Oregon. Its primary grant programs open in January and June; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$374.9M
Grants
663
Total Given
$20.5M
The Robert D and Marcia H Randall
Portland, OR
The foundation funds education, youth development, and community programs that expand opportunity and strengthen social well-being, primarily in Oregon, with preference for Pacific Northwest applicants. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000. It requires a pre-application and accepts requests from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations; pre-application deadlines are June 15 and December 15.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
80
Total Given
$897K
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
Portland, OR
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette funds early learning, housing stability, disaster resilience, volunteerism, and civic engagement, with a focus on equity and community needs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,168 to $1,565,638, with a median of $27,326, and primarily supported work in Oregon; its service area also includes parts of Washington and Central Oregon. The 2024–2026 Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund accepted applications, but that application period is closed; no general unsolicited-request policy is stated.
Assets
$43.1M
Grants
133
Total Given
$15.6M
Rose E Tucker Charitable Trust
Milwaukee, WI
The Rose E Tucker Charitable Trust funds education, health and welfare, community development, social services, and arts and culture, with an emphasis on the Portland metropolitan area; most recent grants went to Oregon organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $250,000, with a median of $7,500. The 2024 filing says there are no deadlines and directs applicants to contact the trust; it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$15.8M
Grants
107
Total Given
$1.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Oregon
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Powell Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/powell-foundation-inc-morg_54ddcc522dde4e25b177be2eb8489cfe
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_930986542_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Powell Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/powell-foundation-inc-morg_54ddcc522dde4e25b177be2eb8489cfe},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Powell Foundation Inc'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.
Powell Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?