The Ra Bowen Trust
The RA Bowen Trust is a charitable foundation based in Macon, Georgia, dedicated to supporting higher education and community initiatives. Established in 1943 by Mr. Robert A. Bowen, Sr., the organization has maintained its commitment to philanthropy for over 80 years and continues to be managed by the Bowen family.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.9M
+30.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$397K
+4.3% YoY
Grant Count
63
-4.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+9.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ra Bowen Trust reported a distributable amount of $427K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust's primary purpose is to award scholarships to deserving undergraduate students pursuing higher education. The organization also supports local nonprofits in the Macon community.
Grantmaking
The Trust also provides grants to local nonprofits. Recent documented grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust primarily serves central Georgia, with particular emphasis on specific Georgia counties and select universities in Macon. The organization also funds projects across multiple U.S. states, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $1,493,840
- Annual Revenue: $329,514
- Annual Expenses: $406,512
- Annual Grants Awarded: Approximately $300,000 in scholarships; $381,000 total awarded in 2024
- Cumulative Impact: Over $3.2 million in scholarships awarded and $2 million in donations to the community since establishment
2024 Activity:
- 66 grants awarded
- Average grant size: $26
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,946,268 | $1,493,840 | $1,568,417 |
| Revenue | $659,910 | $329,514 | $316,645 |
| Expenses | $429,114 | $406,512 | $370,566 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $410,648 | $391,535 | $348,117 |
| Net Investment Income | $629,797 | $318,778 | $305,528 |
| Distributable Amount | $426,561 | $405,489 | $391,461 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Ra Bowen Trust
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mercer University ($33,500), University of Georgia ($26,250), Wesleyan College ($22,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABRAHAM BALDWIN AGRICULTURE COLLEGE TIFTON, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $3,750 |
| BELMONT UNIVERSITY COLUMBIA, SC | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,500 |
| BENEDICT COLLEGE COLUMBIA, SC | SCHOLARSHIP | $2,500 |
| BERRY COLLEGE MOUNT BERRY, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY FORT VALLEY, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY MILLEDGEVILLE, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $10,000 |
| GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ATLANTA, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $6,250 |
| GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STATESBORO, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $12,500 |
| KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY KENNESAW, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $5,000 |
| MERCER UNIVERSITY MACON, GA | SCHOLARSHIP | $33,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel serving as trustees without compensation include:
- Leslie Walton Bowen
- Charlotte Bowen Bogle
- Paul Hart
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESLIE BOWEN BEAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHARLOTTE BOWEN BOGLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAUL HART | TRUSTEE | 3 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Ra Bowen Trust fund?
The Trust's primary purpose is to award scholarships to deserving undergraduate students pursuing higher education. The organization also supports local nonprofits in the Macon community.
How do I apply for a grant from The Ra Bowen Trust?
**Scholarship Program:** • Scholarships of up to $10,000, paid as $2,500 per academic year • Approximately $300,000 awarded annually in scholarships • Eligible applicants must be full-time students accepted into accredited four-year colleges or universities • Candidates must either reside in specific Georgia counties or plan to attend select institutions in Macon, Georgia **Community Grants:** The Trust also provides grants to local nonprofits. Recent documented grants include: • $3,000 to Midd…
Where does The Ra Bowen Trust make grants?
The Trust primarily serves central Georgia, with particular emphasis on specific Georgia counties and select universities in Macon. The organization also funds projects across multiple U.S. states, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
What size grants does The Ra Bowen Trust award?
In 2024, The Ra Bowen Trust awarded 63 grants totaling $397K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ra Bowen Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Ra Bowen Trust reported a distributable amount of $427K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Ra Bowen Trust's EIN?
The Ra Bowen Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6032145. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Ra Bowen Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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