The Bluecow Foundation
The Bluecow Foundation is a private foundation, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $90K. Net investment income was $103K.
The Bluecow Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bluecow Foundation gave $90K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), top state Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $90,000
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $22,500
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $22,500
- Total assets
- $1,617,636
- +0.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (44% 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 The Bluecow Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rodale Institute ($30K). Together the top 4 received $90K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Bluecow Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $55K (2020) to $105K (2019). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $90K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rodale Institute Kutztown, PA | General Purposes | $30,000 |
| Pine Street Inn Boston, MA | General Purposes | $25,000 |
| Buildon - US Programs Stamford, CT | General Purposes | $20,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston Boston, MA | General Purposes | $15,000 |
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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 | $1,617,636 | $114,438 | $105,410 | $90,000 | 4 | $92,363 | $102,839 | $85,944 |
| 2024 | $1,608,610 | $85,930 | $109,917 | $96,200 | 4 | $98,300 | $75,374 | $84,370 |
| 2023 | $1,637,599 | $64,462 | $97,646 | $85,000 | 4 | $87,230 | $54,420 | $80,577 |
| 2022 | $1,665,783 | $33,451 | $90,654 | $81,250 | 5 | $81,631 | $25,559 | $83,672 |
| 2021 | $1,722,986 | $68,932 | $88,798 | $80,000 | 5 | $80,356 | $60,650 | $92,542 |
| 2020 | $1,742,852 | $65,933 | $67,011 | $55,000 | 6 | — | $41,361 | $84,841 |
| 2019 | $1,743,930 | $55,228 | $148,342 | $105,000 | 5 | — | $49,964 | $89,189 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bluecow Foundation reported a distributable amount of $86K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bluecow Foundation is led by Karen Vachon, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Karen Vachon
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Lauren Vachon
Board Member
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Mark Vachon
Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Philip Vachon
Board Memeber
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Bluecow Foundation
How much does The Bluecow Foundation give each year?
The Bluecow Foundation gave $90K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $96K across 4 grants.
What is The Bluecow Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bluecow Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $22,500, and its average grant was $22,500, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bluecow Foundation give grants?
The Bluecow Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (33%) and Connecticut (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does The Bluecow Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Bluecow Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Bluecow Foundation?
The Bluecow Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $92K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $86K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Bluecow Foundation's EIN?
The Bluecow Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-1562708. 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.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work The Bluecow Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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