The Cowles Charitable Trust
The Cowles Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Staten Island, New York. Established in 1948, it supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research, and occasionally mission-aligned national and international efforts or long-standing partners.
The Cowles Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: The Cowles Charitable Trust gave $1.4M across 262 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in New York. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,384,800
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 262
- -5.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,285
- +8.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $4,000
- Total assets
- $13,229,473
- -5.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (60 of 261, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Cowles Charitable Trust
- How to Apply
-
The Trust’s website says it accepts completed applications by email and provides an application to download. The 2024 filing lists Julie Baskevich as the contact and says no form or materials are required; this differs from the website’s instructions to submit a completed proposal packet. The Trust requires applicants to be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations. It welcomes requests for general operating support, favors organizations with a wide base of support, and prefers not to be the only funder. An organization may apply no more frequently than once every 12 months, regardless of the previous decision; organizations with multiyear grants must wait until all payments have been made before applying again. Applicants are notified in writing, usually within two weeks after the Trustees’ meeting that concludes the grant cycle. Recipients must acknowledge receipt of funds in hardcopy and submit a brief final report electronically within 60 days after the program period or expenditure of the grant, whichever comes first.
- Review Cycle
- The Trustees meet in January, April, July, and October. The website lists December 1 for the January agenda, March 1 for April, June 1 for July, and September 1 for October. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, proposals are due by the following first working day. A request received too late for one meeting is placed on the following meeting’s agenda.
- Deadline
- The Trustees meet in January, April, July, and October.
- Contact
Application contact: Julie Baskevich
Mailing address: PO Box 50027, Staten Island, NY 10305
Phone: (718) 938-9762
Email: submissions@cowlescharitabletrust.org
Website: https://cowlescharitabletrust.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 Cowles Charitable Trust
Who The Cowles Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grasp ($45K). Together the top 10 received $230K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,186 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,186 grants of 1,186 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust identifies Downstate New York and South Florida as its primary areas of support. In 2024, 54% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 23% to recipients in Florida. Smaller listed shares went to Massachusetts (4%), Washington, DC (3%), and Connecticut (3%). The Trust says it occasionally supports national and international efforts that are mission-aligned or involve long-standing partners.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 262 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Cowles Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 60 of 261 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 121% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $1.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 262 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grasp Sarasota, FL | Charitable | $45,000 |
| Fractured Atlas - Bridge Initiative Hartsdale, NY | Charitable | $40,000 |
| Dora Maar Cultural Center Houston, TX | The Arts | $20,000 |
| Wassaic Project Wassaic, NY | The Arts | $20,000 |
| Women's Studio Workshop Kingston, NY | The Arts | $20,000 |
| World Central Kitchen Washington, DC | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Grant Foundation Pittsburgh, PA | Medical | $17,500 |
| Vanguard School Lake Wells, FL | Education | $17,500 |
| Art Effect of the Hudson Valley Inc Poughkeepsie, NY | The Arts | $15,000 |
| Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville, NJ | Education | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Cowles Charitable Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $13,229,473 | $1,160,456 | $1,825,686 | $1,384,800 | 262 | $1,504,207 | $873,196 | $1,239,131 |
| 2023 | $13,921,212 | $956,733 | $1,740,142 | $1,348,750 | 276 | $1,433,263 | $687,545 | $1,159,235 |
| 2022 | $14,704,621 | $1,381,443 | $1,655,164 | $1,248,000 | 221 | $1,337,508 | $1,153,799 | $1,192,660 |
| 2021 | $14,978,342 | $1,841,487 | $1,649,303 | $1,290,500 | 236 | $1,361,331 | $1,607,569 | $1,237,988 |
| 2020 | $14,786,158 | $1,597,436 | $1,508,680 | $1,196,000 | 191 | — | $1,434,987 | $1,050,813 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cowles Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust identifies the arts, education, ethical journalism, medical research, and climate research as areas it supports. Its website names Downstate New York and South Florida as its primary areas of support. It also says it occasionally supports national and international efforts that are mission-aligned or involve long-standing partners.
The 2024 grants illustrate a range of supported organizations. The Wassaic Project describes itself as a contemporary arts organization using art and arts education to foster positive social change and build community partnerships. Women’s Studio Workshop says it operates an artists’ workspace and provides professional opportunities for women artists. The Art Effect describes itself as a community-based, multi-arts educational center serving diverse audiences in the Hudson Valley. The Museum of Modern Art says it fosters public awareness of modern and contemporary art. World Central Kitchen describes its work as providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Trust reported 262 grants totaling $1,384,800. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $45,000, with a median of $4,000. Its largest reported awards included $45,000 to GRASP, $40,000 to Fractured Atlas – Bridge Initiative, and $20,000 each to the Dora Maar Cultural Center, Wassaic Project, Women’s Studio Workshop, and World Central Kitchen. Other notable grants included $17,500 to Grant Foundation and $15,000 each to Art Effect of the Hudson Valley, Lawrenceville School, and the Museum of Modern Art.
The Trust’s website says approved first-time applicants generally receive $2,500 and states a maximum yearly grant of $10,000. However, its 2024 filing lists grants exceeding that stated maximum.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Virginia Cowles Schroth as chairman and trustee. Julie Baskevich is listed as treasurer and secretary. Trustees are Lois Eleanor Harrison, John Patrick Harrison, Elizabeth Strauss, and Kate Strauss Long. Gardner Cowles III, Kate Cowles Nichols, Jan S Cowles, and Charles Cowles are listed as trustees emeritus.
The Cowles Charitable Trust is led by Virginia Cowles Schroth, Chairman & Trustee on every filing since 2020; 1 of 14 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Virginia Cowles Schroth
Chairman & Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Betty Fleming
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Strauss
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Patrick Harrison
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Strauss Long
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lise Charlier
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lois Eleanor Harrison
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Schroth
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gwen Strauss
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Baskevich
Treasurer & Secretary
On filings since 2023
20 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $115K (2024)
Charles Cowles
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gardner Cowles III
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jan S. Cowles
Trustee Emeritus
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kate Cowles Nichols
Trustee Emeritus
Trustee → Trustee Emeritus, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Mary Croft (2020–2023) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $115K, to Julie Baskevich (Treasurer and Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about The Cowles Charitable Trust
How much does The Cowles Charitable Trust give each year?
The Cowles Charitable Trust gave $1.4M across 262 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 276 grants.
What is The Cowles Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
The Cowles Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $4,000, and its average grant was $5,285, across 262 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Cowles Charitable Trust that year got $3K on average.
Where does The Cowles Charitable Trust give grants?
The Cowles Charitable Trust gives mostly in New York: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (112 grants), Sarasota, FL (18 grants), Miami, FL (16 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (13 grants).
Does The Cowles Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 262 grants with a stated purpose on The Cowles Charitable Trust's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (102 grants), "The Arts" (88 grants) and "Education" (48 grants).
Who are The Cowles Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
The Cowles Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Grasp ($45,000), Fractured Atlas - Bridge Initiative ($40,000) and Dora Maar Cultural Center ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($6,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cowles Charitable Trust?
The Cowles Charitable Trust reported $13.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Cowles Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust identifies the arts, education, ethical journalism, medical research, and climate research as areas it supports. Its website names Downstate New York and South Florida as its primary areas of support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cowles Charitable Trust?
The Trust’s website says it accepts completed applications by email and provides an application to download. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cowles Charitable Trust's EIN?
The Cowles Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6090295. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cowles Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cowles Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cowles-charitable-trust-morg_07b2ca4e2afd4fd7ac45839c7402523f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136090295_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cowles Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cowles-charitable-trust-morg_07b2ca4e2afd4fd7ac45839c7402523f},
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 Cowles Charitable Trust'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.
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