The Seed Foundation
The Seed Foundation is a private foundation, based in Boulder, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $39K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $4K. Net investment income was $1K.
The Seed Foundation at a glance
In short: The Seed Foundation gave $4K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $568), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,976
- -34.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $568
- -43.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $220
- Total assets
- $39,215
- +5.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Colorado (67% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Seed Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Emergency Family Assistance Assn ($2K). Together the top 7 received $4K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Seed Foundation gives
- Giving grew 294% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 224% of 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1K (2022) to $6K (2024). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $4K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Family Assistance Assn Boulder, CO | Support | $2,000 |
| Public Citizen Washington, DC | Support | $1,000 |
| Planned Parenthood for the Rockies Denver, CO | Support | $350 |
| Patriots for Ukraine Orlando, FL | Support | $220 |
| Community Foundation Serving Boulder County Boulder, CO | Support | $200 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis New York, NY | Support | $106 |
| Environment Colorado Denver, CO | Support | $100 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,215 | $4,473 | $5,635 | $3,976 | 7 | $3,976 | $1,323 | $1,777 |
| 2024 | $37,350 | $8,170 | $8,044 | $6,050 | 6 | $6,050 | $1,498 | $1,621 |
| 2023 | $29,661 | $-475 | $4,764 | $2,700 | 3 | $2,700 | — | $1,366 |
| 2022 | $28,680 | — | $2,157 | $1,010 | 2 | $1,010 | — | $1,407 |
| 2021 | $41,001 | $11,045 | $2,212 | $1,650 | 4 | $2,102 | $11,045 | $1,867 |
| 2020 | $28,473 | $734 | $4,533 | $4,100 | 4 | — | $734 | $1,730 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Seed Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Seed Foundation is led by Macon Cowles, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Macon Cowles
President
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Regina Cowles
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Seed Foundation
How much does The Seed Foundation give each year?
The Seed Foundation gave $4K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $6K across 6 grants.
What is The Seed Foundation's typical grant size?
The Seed Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $220, and its average grant was $568, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Seed Foundation give grants?
The Seed Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 67% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (25%) and Florida (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boulder, CO (2 grants) and Denver, CO (2 grants).
Does The Seed Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Seed Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support" (7 grants).
Who are The Seed Foundation's largest grantees?
The Seed Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Emergency Family Assistance Assn ($2,000), Public Citizen ($1,000) and Planned Parenthood for the Rockies ($350), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Seed Foundation?
The Seed Foundation reported $39K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Seed Foundation's EIN?
The Seed Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1245931. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Seed Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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