The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton
THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY is a private foundation based in Newport Beach, California. Its 2022 filing reports 26 grants totaling $796,000. The foundation’s 2021 filing is marked as its final return; the filing says the board resolved on August 16, 2022, to liquidate all assets and distribute them to 501(c)(3) charities after paying final expenses. It therefore appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton at a glance
In short: The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton gave $796K across 26 grants in 2022 (avg $31K), mostly in California. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $796,000
- +2553.3% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 26
- +271.4% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $30,615
- +614.4% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $15,965
- Primary geography
- California (56% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2424 Santiago Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (714) 336-5396
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was Herman Park Conservancy ($100K). Together the top 10 received $436K.
Organizations only. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($254,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
33 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 33 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2022, grant dollars went to recipients in California (56%), Idaho (20%), Texas (18%), New York (3%), and Massachusetts (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton gives
- 24% of 2022 grantees were also funded in 2021. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022). 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 2021 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2021) to $796K (2022). In 2022 it made 26 grants totaling $796K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 6 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $254,000 |
| Herman Park Conservancy Houston, TX | General Use | $100,300 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Oc Irvine, CA | General Use | $84,200 |
| Catalina Island Conservancy Long Beach, CA | General Use | $81,600 |
| Share Our Selves Costa Mesa, CA | General Use | $44,200 |
| The Beacon Houston, TX | General Use | $27,050 |
| Mariners Elem School Fdn Newport Beach, CA | General Use | $27,000 |
| Mater DEI High School Santa Ana, CA | Helen Steves Honorary Fund | $19,900 |
| Africa Schools of Kenya Santa Barbara, CA | Education & Community Development | $19,400 |
| Homeboy Industries Los Angeles, CA | Legal Services to People in Need | $16,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $21,264 | $820,004 | $796,000 | 26 | $796,000 | $6,829 | — |
| 2021 | $798,610 | $72,531 | $43,977 | $30,000 | 7 | — | $61,481 | $42,060 |
| 2020 | $886,285 | $-66,379 | $10,181 | — | — | — | $27,297 | $39,940 |
| 2019 | $962,845 | $-50,930 | $14,323 | — | — | — | $21,660 | $44,138 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants went to organizations working in areas including education, food assistance, conservation, youth services, and community support. For example, Share Our Selves describes its mission as providing care and assistance to people in need and advocating for systemic change. Project Hope Alliance says its mission is to end the cycle of homelessness, one child at a time. The Aquarium of the Pacific describes its mission as fostering wonder, respect, and stewardship for the Pacific Ocean and its ecosystems.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the foundation made 26 grants totaling $796,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $159,200, with a median of $15,965. The largest grants included $159,200 to Boise Public School Foundation, $100,300 to Herman Park Conservancy, $84,200 to Second Harvest Food Bank of OC, and $81,600 to Catalina Island Conservancy. Other grants included $44,200 to Share Our Selves, $27,050 to The Beacon, and $19,900 to Alice PJ Wang Foundation for scholarships for community college students.
The filing states that the foundation made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and did not accept unsolicited requests. This is a historical policy, not a current application opportunity; the 2021 filing is marked final.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2022 filing lists Robert C Gannon and Charles Cotton Smith as trustees; Cynthia C Fowler as president; Charles B Cotton as vice president and secretary; John P Cotton as vice president and treasurer; Caroline H Cotton as assistant secretary; and J Taylor Cotton as assistant treasurer.
The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton is led by Cynthia C. Fowler, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 7 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Cynthia C. Fowler
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Cotton Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert C. Gannon
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline H. Cotton
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles B. Cotton
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Taylor Cotton
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John P. Cotton
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2022. "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 Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton
How much does The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton give each year?
The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton gave $796K across 26 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $30K across 7 grants.
What is The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton's typical grant size?
The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton's median grant in 2022 was $15,965, and its average grant was $30,615, across 26 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton give grants?
The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton gives mostly in California: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Idaho (20%) and Texas (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (3 grants), Santa Ana, CA (3 grants), Long Beach, CA (2 grants) and Costa Mesa, CA (2 grants).
Does The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton give general operating support?
Yes: 65% of The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton's largest grantees?
The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton's largest 2022 grantees include Herman Park Conservancy ($100,300), Second Harvest Food Bank of Oc ($84,200) and Catalina Island Conservancy ($81,600), according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 6 grants to individuals ($254,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2022 grant dollars.
What does The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants went to organizations working in areas including education, food assistance, conservation, youth services, and community support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton?
The foundation’s filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton's EIN?
The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-6097315. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2022.
Does The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton 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.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 10, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
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Figures come from The Foundation of the Family of CM and Edna P Cotton'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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