S H Cowell Foundation
S.H. Cowell Foundation is a grantmaking organization based in San Francisco, California that invests in communities across Northern and Central California committed to achieving lasting, positive change for children and families living in poverty. The foundation takes a collaborative, hands-on approach to grantmaking, viewing funded organizations and communities as partners and working to build mutual trust and respect.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$120.2M
+1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.2M
+3.5% YoY
Grant Count
71
-6.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$73K
+10.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, S H Cowell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's goal is to improve the quality of life of children and families living in Northern and Central California by making grants that directly support and strengthen children, families, and the neighborhoods where they live.
The foundation's work is guided by core beliefs:
- Authentic change happens when community stakeholders work independently
- Local organizations' commitment and expertise are respected
- A holistic approach to addressing unique community needs and realities is essential
- Lasting community change is possible
The foundation invests in three primary areas:
- Families: Programs that honor lived experiences and incorporate resident voices in the design, implementation, and governance of family-support services. This includes family resource centers promoting physical health, wellness, child development, and parenting; organizations building pathways for financial literacy, employment, and economic mobility; and community-organizing initiatives led by residents.
- Education and Youth Development: Supporting K-12 public education and youth development initiatives
- Communities: Efforts to increase a town or neighborhood's capacity to engage and serve low-income families
The foundation recognizes that economic inequality intersects with racial injustice and promotes antiracist practices and equitable outcomes for people and communities of color.
Grantmaking
How to Apply
**: Grantees report that the foundation maintains efficient and direct communications, with required attachments that are fairly standard and reasonable reporting terms. The foundation is known for engaging directly with applicants through site visits and attendance at events, and for being clear about what it funds, making the process accessible for returning grantees.
Ready to take the next step with S H Cowell Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Northern and Central California, with priority given to communities where the foundation has made or could make place-based complementary grants in towns and neighborhoods where there is widespread and acute poverty and strong working relationships among residents and institutional leaders.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $120.2 million
- Annual Income: $11.2 million
- Establishment: The foundation was established in 1956 through a $12.5 million bequest of primarily real estate from Samuel Henry Cowell following his death in 1955
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $120,216,052 | $118,333,941 | $111,831,282 |
| Revenue | $4,035,838 | $4,117,798 | $1,890,507 |
| Expenses | $8,277,128 | $8,318,326 | $8,294,978 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,456,479 | $7,476,187 | $7,801,267 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,133,374 | $2,449,756 | $1,045,417 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,617,733 | $5,338,064 | $6,298,416 |
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 S H Cowell Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Napa Valley Unified School District ($225,000), On the Move ($225,000), Butte County Office of Education ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10000 DEGREES SAN RAFAEL, CA | TO SUSTAIN PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS FROM SOUTHSIDE RICHMOND TO ENROLL AND SUCCEED IN COLLEGE. | $90,000 |
| AIM HIGH SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO SUSTAIN AIM HIGHS SUMMER PROGRAM IN NAPA. | $50,000 |
| ALUM ROCK UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT SAN JOSE, CA | TO IMPROVE EARLY LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN IN THE MAYFAIR NEIGHBORHOOD OF EAST SAN JOSE. | $100,000 |
| AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO PROVIDE GRANTS AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO YOUTH ORGANIZING GROUPS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. | $75,000 |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH ARLINGTON, VA | TO SUSTAIN THE CALIFORNIA COLLABORATIVE ON DISTRICT REFORM | $55,000 |
| AMIGOS DE GUADALUPE SAN JOSE, CA | FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS. | $50,000 |
| ASIAN PACIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK OAKLAND, CA | TO SUPPORT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND ORGANIZING OF ASIAN YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO ADVANCE CLIMATE JUSTICE IN RICHMOND. | $50,000 |
| BIGFOOT TRAIL ALLIANCE KNEELAND, CA | TO SUPPORT THE BIGFOOT TRAIL YOUTH STEWARDSHIP PROJECT IN THE NORTH STATE REGION. | $65,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE REDWOODS EUREKA, CA | TO SUSTAIN PROGRAMS AT THE MCKINLEYVILLE TEEN CENTER, | $40,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO, CA | TO SUPPORT THE SUNNYDALE CLUBHOUSE. | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board Members:
- Ann Alpers (President)
- Jamie Allison
- Lisa Backus
- Charles Ellwein
- Charles Higueras
- Mikiko Huang
- Colin Lacon
- Scott Mosher
- Lydia Tan
- Kim Thompson
The board is composed of volunteer directors who live in Northern California and are committed to the foundation's mission, values, and place-based grantmaking approach.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANN ALPERS | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 35 | $497,713 |
| DR LISA BACKUS | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DR MIKIKO HUANG | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SCOTT MOSHER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CHARLES E ELLWEIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LYDIA TAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KIM THOMPSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLES HIGUERAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| COLIN LACON | DIRECTOR (FROM 10/24) | — | — |
| JAMIE ALLISON | DIRECTOR (FROM 10/24) | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does S H Cowell Foundation fund?
The foundation's goal is to improve the quality of life of children and families living in Northern and Central California by making grants that directly support and strengthen children, families, and the neighborhoods where they live. The foundation's work is guided by core beliefs: • Authentic change happens when community stakeholders work independently • Local organizations' commitment and expertise are respected • A holistic approach to addressing unique community needs and realities is es…
How do I apply for a grant from S H Cowell Foundation?
**Grant Activity**: Since 1956, the foundation has granted nearly $300 million to more than 2,000 non-profit organizations and public schools. **Grantmaking Strategy**: The foundation's primary strategy is place-based grantmaking. It seeks opportunities to make clusters of complementary grants in specific communities, supporting public and nonprofit organizations that serve essentially the same children, youth, and families. **Eligible Recipients**: The foundation funds non-profit organizations…
Where does S H Cowell Foundation make grants?
Northern and Central California, with priority given to communities where the foundation has made or could make place-based complementary grants in towns and neighborhoods where there is widespread and acute poverty and strong working relationships among residents and institutional leaders.
What size grants does S H Cowell Foundation award?
In 2024, S H Cowell Foundation awarded 71 grants totaling $5.2M — an average of about $73K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is S H Cowell Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, S H Cowell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is S H Cowell Foundation's EIN?
S H Cowell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1392803. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in S H Cowell 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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