The Cotter Foundation Inc
The Cotter Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Davidson, North Carolina. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including nonprofits, educational institutions, and a public radio organization.
The Cotter Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Cotter Foundation Inc gave $213K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), top state North Carolina. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $213,250
- +36.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +19.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,530
- +14.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $841,013
- -12.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (3 of 25, 2025)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (38% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Cotter Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its filing says requests should include detailed request data and a copy of the organization’s IRS exemption certificate. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Patricia Cotter
Mailing address: 12831 Westmoreland Farm Rd, Davidson, NC 28036
Phone: (704) 604-1086
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Cotter Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Vintage Racers for Rescues Inc ($30K). Together the top 10 received $159K.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 102 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in North Carolina (38%), Maine (23%), Virginia (14%), Kansas (12%), and New York (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Cotter Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 25 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $417; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $5K repeat.
- 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 133% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 403% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $81K (2020) to $213K (2025). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $213K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vintage Racers for Rescues Inc Alton, VA | General support | $30,000 |
| Life Flight of Maine Bangor, ME | General support | $25,000 |
| McPherson College McPherson, KS | General support | $20,000 |
| University Radio Foundation Inc Charlotte, NC | Support WFAE public radio | $20,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Charlotte, NC | General support | $20,000 |
| Ada Jenkins Families Careers Davidson, NC | General support | $10,000 |
| Autism Society of NC Charlotte, NC | General support | $10,000 |
| Kids in Needs of Desks New York, NY | General support | $8,000 |
| No Kid Hungry Washington, DC | General Support | $8,000 |
| Save the Children Fairfield, CT | General support | $8,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Cotter Foundation Inc?
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 | $841,013 | $100,227 | $225,264 | $213,250 | 25 | $213,250 | $88,213 | $52,973 |
| 2024 | $966,050 | $48,185 | $169,743 | $156,000 | 21 | $156,000 | $34,442 | $58,495 |
| 2023 | $1,066,958 | $33,197 | $155,435 | $140,500 | 18 | $140,500 | $20,406 | $58,213 |
| 2022 | $1,190,017 | $63,982 | $97,316 | $91,500 | 18 | $91,500 | $38,607 | $59,947 |
| 2021 | $1,092,792 | $1,015,784 | $134,967 | $121,500 | 20 | $122,550 | $146,596 | $61,448 |
| 2020 | $463,480 | $54,469 | $87,589 | $80,595 | 20 | — | $28,351 | $28,651 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cotter Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $53K 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 own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, journalism and public radio, health care, and community services.
Among the grantees, University Radio Foundation Inc describes its mission as providing journalism that informs, enriches, and inspires. McPherson College says it aims to develop whole persons through scholarship, participation, and service. La Escuelita Bilingual Pre-School describes its work as fostering learning in a bilingual, play-based environment. The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor says it provides a community arts center and preserves the historic opera house.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $213,250. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $30,000, with a median of $5,000.
The largest 2025 grants included $30,000 to Vintage Racers for Rescues Inc for general support; $25,000 to Life Flight of Maine for general support; and $20,000 each to McPherson College for general support, University Radio Foundation Inc to support WFAE public radio, and St Jude Children’s Research for general support. Other reported grants included $10,000 each to Ada Jenkins Families Careers and Autism Society of NC, both for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas Cotter as president and Patricia Cotter as secretary.
The Cotter Foundation Inc is led by Thomas Cotter, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas Cotter
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Patricia Cotter
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Cotter Foundation Inc
How much does The Cotter Foundation Inc give each year?
The Cotter Foundation Inc gave $213K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $156K across 21 grants.
What is The Cotter Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Cotter Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $8,530, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Cotter Foundation Inc that year got $417 on average.
Where does The Cotter Foundation Inc give grants?
The Cotter Foundation Inc's top state is North Carolina, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maine (23%) and Virginia (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlotte, NC (3 grants), Davidson, NC (3 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Boothbay Harbor, ME (2 grants).
Does The Cotter Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of The Cotter Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (23 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Cotter Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Cotter Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Vintage Racers for Rescues Inc ($30,000), Life Flight of Maine ($25,000) and McPherson College ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Cotter Foundation Inc?
The Cotter Foundation Inc reported $841K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $213K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $53K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Cotter Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, journalism and public radio, health care, and community services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cotter Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cotter Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Cotter Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-6577903. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Cotter Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cotter Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in North Carolina
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
North Carolina Community Foundation Inc
Raleigh, NC
The North Carolina Community Foundation supports charitable organizations and community programs in areas such as human services, education, youth development, health, food and nutrition, and the arts. Its typical grant was $15,000 in 2025; it serves communities statewide, with an emphasis on rural North Carolina, and accepts applications through specific affiliate, giving-circle, and other grant programs.
Assets
$569.1M
Grants
732
Total Given
$30.6M
The Winston-Salem Foundation
Winston-Salem, NC
The Winston-Salem Foundation funds charitable organizations serving Forsyth County, North Carolina, across areas including education, housing, economic opportunity, civic engagement, arts, health, and human services. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000; specific programs offer grants ranging from small grants of up to $2,000 to capital grants of up to $100,000. The profile describes application-based programs but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$630.1M
Grants
823
Total Given
$90.4M
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
State Employees Credit Union Foundation
Raleigh, NC
The foundation funds capital projects, regional or statewide programs, and organizational capacity building that strengthen North Carolina communities; it favors projects with broad or replicable impact and does not fund operating budgets or shortfalls. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,250 to $1 million, with a median of $2,500. Applications are accepted at any time and typically reviewed semiannually.
Assets
$61.0M
Grants
1,806
Total Given
$17.4M
Foundation for the Carolinas
Charlotte, NC
Foundation For The Carolinas funds education and youth development, environmental and wildlife work, health and human services, and animal welfare, with a reported median grant of $25,000 in 2024. Its competitive programs focus on Charlotte-Mecklenburg, the Carolinas, and specific local communities, while donor-advised funds may support eligible nonprofits more broadly; it accepts applications for some competitive grants, but most grants are recommended by fund advisors and have no application process.
Assets
$3.9B
Grants
1,605
Total Given
$609.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cotter Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cotter-foundation-inc-morg_e55865814ac14cc29b3f02156ec379b1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_566577903_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cotter Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cotter-foundation-inc-morg_e55865814ac14cc29b3f02156ec379b1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Cotter Foundation Inc'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 Cotter Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?