The Cogitare Foundation
The Cogitare Foundation is a private foundation based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It says it works to improve people’s lives in Africa by funding programs that develop African communities, including housing, educational opportunities, health care, and other approaches to problems faced by people in poverty.
Key facts about The Cogitare Foundation
In short: The Cogitare Foundation gave $124K across 16 grants in 2026 (avg $8K), top state Georgia. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 13-3998983
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026
- Annual giving (2026)
- $124,344
- Grants made (2026)
- 16
- Average grant
- $7,772
- Median grant
- $5,500
- Total assets
- $438,954
- Primary geography
- Georgia (4% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2026 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$439K
-17.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$124K
+3.7% YoY
Grant Count
16
+23.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-15.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cogitare Foundation reported a distributable amount of $24K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
How The Cogitare Foundation gives
- Giving grew 112% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 516% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its mission as improving people’s lives in Africa through programs that directly develop African communities. Its website names building houses, providing educational opportunities, and improving health care as examples. Its 2026 grants included awards described as scholarships and entrepreneurship grants.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $124,344. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $19,700, with a median of $5,500. Notable grants included $19,700 for Nachilindi Orchards, $14,100 for Piety Ngandu, $14,000 for Mwiche Nambela, and $12,850 for Miyanda Mweetwa. The filing describes these awards as contributions to provide a scholarship for an individual.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its work is directed toward improving lives in Africa. Its 2026 filing reports that 4% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia; the other recipient-state entry is not identified.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $39K (2022) to $124K (2026). In 2026 it made 16 grants totaling $124K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Entrepreneurship Grant - Nachilindi Orchards ($20K). Together the top 10 received $107K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 52 (98%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneurship Grant - Nachilindi Orchards | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $19,700 |
| Entrepreneurship Grant - Piety Ngandu | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $14,100 |
| Scholarship Grant for Mwiche Nambela | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $14,000 |
| Scholarship Grant for Miyanda Mweetwa | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $12,850 |
| Entrepreneurship Grant - Alan Makwaza | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $11,100 |
| Scholarship Grant for Nick Chiyela Mweene | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $10,617 |
| Scholarship Grant for Daniel Sakala | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $8,400 |
| Scholarship Grant for Prince Kanyimbo | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $6,000 |
| Youths in Business | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $5,000 |
| Scholarship Grant for Chimuka Cheepa Atlanta, GA | Contribution to the organization to provide a scholarship for individual. | $4,852 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $438,954 | $34,215 | $129,541 | $124,344 |
| 2025 | $534,280 | $30,684 | $126,635 | $119,885 |
| 2024 | $630,231 | $15,290 | $104,855 | $97,479 |
| Metric | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $438,954 | $534,280 | $630,231 |
| Revenue | $34,215 | $30,684 | $15,290 |
| Expenses | $129,541 | $126,635 | $104,855 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $124,344 | $119,885 | $97,479 |
| Net Investment Income | $30,674 | $17,934 | $15,290 |
| Distributable Amount | $24,121 | $28,466 | $32,829 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 12, 2024)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Elaine Scialo as president and Peter D. Cooper as vice president.
The Cogitare Foundation is led by Elaine Scialo, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Elaine Scialo
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter D. Cooper
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 2207 Chestnut Street Unit 2, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (212) 362-2136
Website: https://www.cogitarefoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about The Cogitare Foundation
How much does The Cogitare Foundation give each year?
The Cogitare Foundation gave $124K across 16 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $120K across 13 grants.
What is The Cogitare Foundation's typical grant size?
The Cogitare Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $5,500, and its average grant was $7,772, across 16 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Does The Cogitare Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on The Cogitare Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Cogitare Foundation's largest grantees?
The Cogitare Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Entrepreneurship Grant - Nachilindi Orchards ($19,700), Entrepreneurship Grant - Piety Ngandu ($14,100) and Scholarship Grant for Mwiche Nambela ($14,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Cogitare Foundation?
The Cogitare Foundation reported $439K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $124K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $24K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Cogitare Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its mission as improving people’s lives in Africa through programs that directly develop African communities. Its website names building houses, providing educational opportunities, and improving health care as examples. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cogitare Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Cogitare Foundation make grants?
The foundation says its work is directed toward improving lives in Africa. Its 2026 filing reports that 4% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia; the other recipient-state entry is not identified.
What is The Cogitare Foundation's EIN?
The Cogitare Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3998983. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Does The Cogitare Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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