The Bews Foundation
The Bews Foundation is a private foundation based in Twin Falls, Idaho, that provides charitable grants to organizations in Southwestern Idaho. Its website says the foundation continues the charitable legacy of Edward and Shirley Bews by supporting organizations that strengthen communities across the Treasure Valley.
The Bews Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bews Foundation gave $948K across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $28K), mostly in Idaho. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $947,500
- +7.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- +3.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $27,868
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $22,385,733
- +22.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (13 of 34, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Idaho (79% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Bews Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website describes a process for grant requests. Requests under $10,000 require a grant request letter, page one of the application form, and an IRS determination letter; requests over $10,000 require the full grant application form. The foundation lists eligible applicants and operating counties on its website. Its 2025 filing directs applicants there for forms, materials, deadlines, and award restrictions.
- Review Cycle
- April 30 for the spring cycle and October 31 for the fall cycle.
- Deadline
- April 30 for the spring cycle and October 31 for the fall cycle.
- Next open deadline
- October 31, 2026 (The Bews Foundation Grants)
- Contact
Application contact: Derek Pica
Mailing address: 1140 S Allante Ave, Boise, ID 83709
Phone: (208) 336-4144
Website: https://bewsfoundation.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 The Bews Foundation
Who The Bews Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boise State University Foundation ($200K). Together the top 10 received $710K.
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 104 grants of 134 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its focus as the Treasure Valley in Southwestern Idaho. Its website lists Payette, Gem, Boise, Canyon, Ada, Elmore, and Owyhee counties as eligible areas. In 2025, 79% of grant dollars went to recipients in Idaho, 18% to Ohio, and 2% to Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Bews Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 34 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $38K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 47% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $353K (2019) to $1.1M (2022). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $948K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boise State University Foundation Boise, ID | Stadium Expansion | $200,000 |
| Fidelity INV Charitable Gift Fund Cincinnati, OH | Donor Advised Fund | $175,000 |
| Friends of Zoo Boise Boise, ID | Education Center | $100,000 |
| College of Idaho Caldwell, ID | Scholarship | $75,000 |
| The Idaho Foodbank Boise, ID | School Pantry Program | $35,000 |
| College of Western Idaho Nampa, ID | General Operations | $30,000 |
| Children's Museum of Idaho Meridian, ID | General Operations | $25,000 |
| Meridian Food Bank Meridian, ID | General Operations | $25,000 |
| Treasure Valley YMCA Boise, ID | Caldwell YMCA | $25,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Western TV Ontario, OR | Capital Campaign | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Bews 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $22,385,733 | $5,400,910 | $1,236,369 | $947,500 | 34 | $1,103,497 | $5,280,738 | $1,092,358 |
| 2024 | $18,221,192 | $977,320 | $1,166,257 | $883,500 | 33 | $1,035,538 | $855,272 | $1,102,973 |
| 2023 | $18,410,129 | $902,363 | $1,183,669 | $944,500 | 22 | $1,074,411 | $796,502 | $1,006,764 |
| 2022 | $18,691,435 | $1,132,344 | $1,358,920 | $1,065,000 | 20 | $1,149,232 | $963,801 | $1,048,919 |
| 2021 | $18,918,011 | $1,879,148 | $1,150,823 | $876,500 | 25 | $952,200 | $1,693,429 | $1,114,671 |
| 2020 | $18,189,686 | $756,288 | $1,180,457 | $917,224 | 23 | — | $568,631 | $981,580 |
| 2019 | $18,645,304 | $2,679,943 | $861,569 | $352,500 | 14 | — | $75,449 | $1,001,475 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bews Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — 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’s stated mission is to fulfill Ed and Shirley Bews’s charitable vision by supporting organizations that strengthen communities across the Treasure Valley. Its listed focus areas include health and medical research, education and scholarships, support for economically disadvantaged people, environmental preservation, community programs and public spaces, arts and cultural development, historic preservation, youth development and rehabilitation, women and family support services, and civil liberties and education.
The foundation says it funds public schools, municipalities, religious organizations, and registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in specified Treasure Valley counties. Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees: Boise State University Foundation says it raises funds for university programs and manages private donations; the Meridian Food Bank says it provides emergency food aid to low-income people; and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho says it creates and supports one-to-one youth mentoring relationships.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $947,500. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest were $200,000 to Boise State University Foundation for a stadium expansion, $175,000 to Fidelity Inv Charitable Gift Fund for a donor-advised fund, $100,000 to Friends of Zoo Boise for an education center, and $75,000 to the College of Idaho for scholarships. Other awards included $35,000 to The Idaho Foodbank for a school pantry program and $20,000 to Jesse Tree for emergency rental assistance.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael W. Sullivan, Larry D. Braga, Derek Pica, Lois K. Fletcher, and John Berg as directors.
The Bews Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Derek Pica
Director
Trustee → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$24K (2019) → $50K (2025)
John Berg
Director
Trustee → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $50K (2025)
Larry D. Braga
Director
Trustee → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$44K (2019) → $50K (2025)
Lois K. Fletcher
Director
Trustee → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $25K (2025)
Michael W. Sullivan
Director
Trustee → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $25K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $50K, to Larry D Braga (Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Bews Foundation
How much does The Bews Foundation give each year?
The Bews Foundation gave $948K across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $884K across 33 grants.
What is The Bews Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bews Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $27,868, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Bews Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does The Bews Foundation give grants?
The Bews Foundation gives mostly in Idaho: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boise, ID (21 grants), Meridian, ID (4 grants), Caldwell, ID (2 grants) and Nampa, ID (2 grants).
Does The Bews Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 62% of The Bews Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 34) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Bews Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bews Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Boise State University Foundation ($200,000), Fidelity INV Charitable Gift Fund ($175,000) and Friends of Zoo Boise ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Bews Foundation?
The Bews Foundation reported $22.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Bews Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to fulfill Ed and Shirley Bews’s charitable vision by supporting organizations that strengthen communities across the Treasure Valley. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bews Foundation?
The foundation’s website describes a process for grant requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bews Foundation's EIN?
The Bews Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2200028. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 31, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 28, 2024)
Live grants for the work The Bews Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bews Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Bews Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-bews-foundation-morg_51311e818b2542619c80f3f61cf872e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_812200028_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Bews Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-bews-foundation-morg_51311e818b2542619c80f3f61cf872e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 The Bews 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.
The Bews Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?