The Cox Foundation
The Cox Foundation is a private foundation, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 1 grant totaling $3.6M. Net investment income was $113K.
The Cox Foundation at a glance
In short: The Cox Foundation gave $3.6M across 1 grant in 2021 (avg $3.6M), mostly in California. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $3,628,840
- +2638.7% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 1
- -96.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $3,628,840
- +68368.7% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $3,628,840
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who The Cox Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was The Cox Foundation DAF ($3.6M).
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 26 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2021 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Cox Foundation gives
- In 2021 it paid out well above 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 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $133K (2020) to $3.6M (2021). In 2021 it made 1 grant totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Cox Foundation DAF San Francisco, CA | Terminating Distributions | $3,628,840 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $127,590 | $3,652,647 | $3,628,840 | 1 | $3,637,282 | $113,479 | $168,582 |
| 2020 | $2,419,586 | $263,132 | $169,837 | $132,500 | 25 | — | $247,449 | $148,585 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cox Foundation reported a distributable amount of $169K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Cox Foundation is led by Nancy Cox, Director on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Nancy Cox
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 Cox Foundation
How much does The Cox Foundation give each year?
The Cox Foundation gave $3.6M across 1 grant in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $133K across 25 grants.
Where does The Cox Foundation operate?
The Cox Foundation has awarded grants in California, Maryland, Michigan, Virginia.
How much is The Cox Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, The Cox Foundation reported a distributable amount of $169K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Cox Foundation's EIN?
The Cox Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3379588. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Live grants for the work The Cox Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cox Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Cox Foundation'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 Cox Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?