Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation is a private foundation, based in Saint Paul, MN. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $865K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $100K. Net investment income was $113K.
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation gave $100K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), mostly in Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $100,000
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,333
- -46.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $865,404
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Guild ($50K). Together the top 3 received $100K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 12 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation gives
- Giving grew 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 188% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2021) to $125K (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Guild St. Paul, MN | Charity | $50,000 |
| Children's Minnesota Foundation Edina, MN | Charity | $25,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Minneapolis, MN | Charity | $25,000 |
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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 | $865,404 | $152,389 | $110,325 | $100,000 | 3 | $100,000 | $113,152 | $53,057 |
| 2024 | $823,340 | $86,748 | $135,361 | $125,000 | 2 | $125,000 | $76,387 | $89,635 |
| 2023 | $871,954 | $138,998 | $108,935 | $100,200 | 2 | $100,200 | $130,263 | $49,811 |
| 2022 | $842,523 | $50,907 | $90,171 | $80,000 | 3 | $80,000 | $40,736 | — |
| 2021 | $1,244,032 | $111,740 | $27,822 | $16,200 | 2 | $16,200 | $92,617 | $60,191 |
| 2020 | $1,160,259 | $1,160,259 | — | — | — | — | $60,090 | $8,565 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation reported a distributable amount of $53K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation is led by Shirley Scott, Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shirley Scott
Chair
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Chris Babcock
Secretary Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kenneth Cotten
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
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 Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation
How much does Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation give each year?
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation gave $100K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $125K across 2 grants.
What is Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $33,333, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation give grants?
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charity" (3 grants).
How large is Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation?
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation reported $865K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $100K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $53K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation's EIN?
Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1885527. 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.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Robert L and Lila A Cotten Foundation funds
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