The Bews Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Twin Falls, Idaho, established by Edward and Shirley Bews. Edward Bews passed away in 2016 and Shirley Bews in 2014. The foundation was officially recognized as tax-exempt in June 2016. It operates as a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization focused on grantmaking activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.2M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$884K
-6.5% YoY
Grant Count
33
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
-37.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bews Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants across various focus areas including education, human services, philanthropy, and voluntarism.
Grant Range
s:**
Average Grant
amount varies by year
Ready to take the next step with The Bews Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports initiatives in Idaho and Ohio, with primary focus areas including:
Idaho cities: Boise, Caldwell, Garden City, Meridian, and Nampa
Ohio: Cincinnati (evidenced by grants to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund)
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- 2024: $18.2 million
- 2023: $18.7 million
- 2022: $18.9 million
Annual Activity (2024):
- Total assets: $18.4 million
- Total giving: $945,000
- Revenue: $977,000
- Expenses: $1.17 million
- Total liabilities: $0
Expense Ratio: 131.2% (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,221,192 | $18,410,129 | $18,691,435 |
| Revenue | $977,320 | $902,363 | $1,132,344 |
| Expenses | $1,166,257 | $1,183,669 | $1,358,920 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,035,538 | $1,074,411 | $1,149,232 |
| Net Investment Income | $855,272 | $796,502 | $963,801 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,102,973 | $1,006,764 | $1,048,919 |
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
123 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Bews Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County ($200,000), Boise State University Foundation ($100,000), College of Idaho ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION BOISE, ID | STADIUM EXPANSION | $100,000 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF BOISE CALDWELL, ID | CHILDREN'S ESSENTIALS | $15,000 |
| COLLEGE OF IDAHO CALDWELL, ID | SCHOLARSHIP | $75,000 |
| THE IDAHO FOODBANK BOISE, ID | SCHOOL PANTRY PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| MERIDIAN FOOD BANK MERIDIAN, ID | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE BOISE, ID | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $40,000 |
| BOISE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION BOISE, ID | STUDENT AID FUND FOR EMERGENCIES | $20,000 |
| JESSE TREE BOISE, ID | EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE | $15,000 |
| BOISE RESCUE MISSION MINISTRIES BOISE, ID | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $10,000 |
| FRIENDS OF ZOO BOISE BOISE, ID | EDUCATION CENTER | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by a team of compensated directors:
- Michael W. Sullivan, Director
- Larry D. Braga, Director
- Derek Pica, Director
- Lois K. Fletcher, Director
- John Berg, Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL W SULLIVAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | $24,300 |
| LARRY D BRAGA | DIRECTOR | 4 | $48,900 |
| DEREK PICA | DIRECTOR | 4 | $48,900 |
| LOIS K FLETCHER | DIRECTOR | 2 | $24,300 |
| JOHN BERG | DIRECTOR | 4 | $44,900 |
Contact Information
- Website: www.bewsfoundation.org
- Address: 750 Green Acres Drive, Twin Falls, ID 83301-3319
- Telephone: 208-731-4740
- EIN: 81-2200028
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from The Bews Foundation?
The foundation makes grants across various focus areas including education, human services, philanthropy, and voluntarism. **Grant Activity:** • 2024: 22 grants awarded totaling $945,000 • 2023: 20 grants awarded totaling $1.1 million • 2022: 25 grants awarded totaling $877,000 • 2021: 23 grants awarded totaling $917,000 • 2020: 14 grants awarded totaling $353,000 **Grant Sizes:** • Median grant: $23,000 • Grant range: $10,000–$150,000 • Average grant amount varies by year **Application Status:…
Where does The Bews Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports initiatives in Idaho and Ohio, with primary focus areas including: **Idaho cities:** Boise, Caldwell, Garden City, Meridian, and Nampa **Ohio:** Cincinnati (evidenced by grants to Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund)
What size grants does The Bews Foundation award?
In 2024, The Bews Foundation awarded 33 grants totaling $884K — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Bews Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Bews Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bews Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Malad City Community Foundation Inc
MALAD CITY, ID
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Nampa Pride Fast Pitch Organization
NAMPA, ID
Assets
$12K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Chrysopolae Foundation
BELLEVUE, ID
Assets
$13.8M
Grants
36
Total Given
$574K
Spur Community Foundation Inc
KETCHUM, ID
Assets
$15.9M
Grants
75
Total Given
$3.7M
Power Foundation Inc
MERIDIAN, ID
Assets
$4.9M
Grants
56
Total Given
$422K
The Meyers Foundation
BOISE, ID
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
33
Total Given
$134K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Bews Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Bews Foundation to a real strategy.