William H Cowles Foundation
William H Cowles Foundation is a private foundation, based in Spokane, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $300K. Net investment income was $424K.
William H Cowles Foundation at a glance
In short: William H Cowles Foundation gave $300K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $300K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $300,000
- +57.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -66.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $300,000
- +373.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $300,000
- Total assets
- $5,317,040
- +2.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Washington (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 William H Cowles Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Innovia Foundation ($300K).
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 6 grants of 13 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How William H Cowles Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $190K (2023) to $479K (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $300K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Innovia Foundation Spokane, WA | Capital Campaign | $300,000 |
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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 | $5,317,040 | $448,944 | $338,897 | $300,000 | 1 | $307,120 | $424,208 | $332,373 |
| 2023 | $5,206,993 | $181,467 | $229,659 | $190,000 | 3 | $196,432 | $149,709 | $312,859 |
| 2022 | $5,255,185 | $423,211 | $517,711 | $479,000 | 4 | $479,085 | $344,038 | $319,486 |
| 2021 | $5,349,685 | $999,522 | $378,047 | $335,000 | 3 | $335,000 | $981,521 | $352,028 |
| 2020 | $4,728,210 | $289,769 | $340,655 | $300,000 | 2 | — | $265,057 | $335,697 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William H Cowles Foundation reported a distributable amount of $332K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
William H Cowles Foundation is led by Ws Cowles, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ws Cowles
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ea Cowles
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sr Rector
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 William H Cowles Foundation
How much does William H Cowles Foundation give each year?
William H Cowles Foundation gave $300K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $190K across 3 grants.
How large is William H Cowles Foundation?
William H Cowles Foundation reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $307K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $332K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does William H Cowles Foundation operate?
William H Cowles Foundation has awarded grants in California, Washington, Wyoming.
What is William H Cowles Foundation's EIN?
William H Cowles Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-6020496. 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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