The Edward M Dowd Foundation
The Edward M Dowd Foundation is a private foundation, based in San Francisco, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $196K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $3.1M. Net investment income was $43K.
The Edward M Dowd Foundation at a glance
In short: The Edward M Dowd Foundation gave $3.1M across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $1.6M), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,100,000
- +2103.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,550,000
- +3204.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,550,000
- Total assets
- $196,359
- -94.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Edward M Dowd Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Palma School ($2.1M). Together the top 2 received $3.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 10 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Edward M Dowd Foundation gives
- In 2024 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 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $55K (2022) to $3.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $3.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Palma School Salinas, CA | Grant for renovating and renaming gymnasium on campus | $2,100,000 |
| Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | Grant for Edward M. Dowd Art and Art History Building | $1,000,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $196,359 | $55,481 | $3,144,031 | $3,100,000 | 2 | $3,127,883 | $42,712 | $55,463 |
| 2023 | $3,284,874 | $161,875 | $273,719 | $140,700 | 3 | $255,219 | $143,375 | $164,693 |
| 2022 | $3,396,803 | $394,219 | $96,493 | $55,100 | 5 | $86,400 | $42,170 | $162,228 |
| 2021 | $3,098,969 | $1,302,007 | $3,038 | — | — | $3,038 | $119 | $91,301 |
| 2020 | $1,800,000 | $1,839,978 | $39,978 | — | — | — | — | $3,408 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Edward M Dowd Foundation reported a distributable amount of $55K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Edward M Dowd Foundation is led by James Dowd, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Dowd
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Eckert
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Susan Brusa (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Edward Dowd (2020–2022) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about The Edward M Dowd Foundation
How much does The Edward M Dowd Foundation give each year?
The Edward M Dowd Foundation gave $3.1M across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $141K across 3 grants.
How large is The Edward M Dowd Foundation?
The Edward M Dowd Foundation reported $196K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $55K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Edward M Dowd Foundation operate?
The Edward M Dowd Foundation has awarded grants in California, New York.
What is The Edward M Dowd Foundation's EIN?
The Edward M Dowd Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-2105615. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
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