Cowles Charitable Trust Grant

The Cowles Charitable Trust Grant supports initiatives aligned with the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. Focused on education, social justice, health, and the arts, it favors organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS. The Trust encourages applications for general operating support and seeks partnerships rather than being the sole funder. Notably, it considers applications from established partners and supports efforts in Downstate New York and South Florida, with a preference for diverse funding sources.

The Founder
The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy.
The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

Eligibility

Occasionally, the trust supports national and international efforts that are mission aligned or long standing partners.The charitable organization must be recognized as such by the IRS 501c(3).The Trust recognizes the difficulty in raising support for general operating costs and welcomes applications seeking GOS funding.

Ineligibility

The Trust will not consider applications from any institution or organization any more frequently than once every 12 months, whether the result of the previous application was positive or negative.The Trust will not consider applications from any institution or organization receiving a multiyear grant until all payments of that grant have been made.