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Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$570k
Granted FY2024still arriving
6
Grants FY2024still arriving
1
States reached
$250k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2024.

Education$971kRecreation & Sports$758kPhilanthropy$645kHealth$438kArts & Culture$421kYouth Development$128kEnvironment$123kCommunity Improvement$50kOther$0
02FY2024 · 6 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • $10k–50k2 grants · $50k
  • $50k–250k3 grants · $270k
  • $250k+1 grant · $250k
$100,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$12M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
INNOVIA FOUNDATION$250,000
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SPOKANE COUNTY$120,000
INLAND NORTHWEST LAND CONSERVANCY$100,000
MULTI-ETHNIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (AHANA)$50,000
SEATTLE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION$25,000
VILLAGE COHOUSING WORKS$25,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY20–24) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 10%. 99% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 10%THE THACHER SCHOOL: $5k → 10%UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS: $4k → 14%FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: $3k → 14%CO-LAB PROJECTS: $3k → 10%UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION FOR UNHCR: $2k → 14%JAMES E HUGHES JR FOUNDATION: $10k → 16%COBALT FOUNDATION: $2k → 12%LEGAL FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON: $2k → 9%WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $150k → 12%CENTER FOR WOMEN & THEIR WORK (RUTGERS): $10k → 8%CENTER FOR THE ARTS: $6k → 5%UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS: $2k → 14%SANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION: $3k → 14%MAINSPRING SCHOOLS: $3k → 10%LEGAL FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON: $2k → 9%MADDIE'S PLACE: $125k → 12%JACKSON HOLE CENTER FOR THE ARTS: $5k → 5%UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS: $2k → 14%NORTHWEST HARVEST EMM: $2k → 9%MULTI-ETHNIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (AHANA): $50k → 12%NORTHWEST HARVEST E M M: $2k → 9%NORTHWEST HARVEST E M M: $2k → 9%BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SPOKANE COUNTY: $120k → 12%NORTHWEST HARVEST EMM: $2k → 9%PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER WASHINGTONNORTH IDAHO: $50k → 12%PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER WASHINGTONNORTH IDAHO: $2k → 12%PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER WASHINGTON AND IDAHO: $2k → 12%WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY: $500k → 12%HUB SPORTS CENTER: $750k → 12%CARL MAXEY CENTER: $30k → 12%INNOVIA FOUNDATION: $250k → 12%INNOVIA FOUNDATION: $200k → 12%INNOVIA FOUNDATION: $150k → 12%INLAND NORTHWEST LAND CONSERVANCY: $100k → 12%INNOVIA FOUNDATION: $25k → 12%INNOVIA FOUNDATION: $10k → 12%INLAND NORTHWEST LAND CONSERVANCY: $8k → 12%INLAND NORTHWEST LAND CONSERVANCY: $8k → 12%INLAND NORTHWEST LAND CONSERVANCY: $8k → 12%BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INLAND NORTHWEST COUNCIL: $5k → 12%YWCA: $2k → 12%MADDIE'S PLACE: $125k → 12%JOYA CHILD & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT: $100k → 12%LIFE SERVICES OF SPOKANE: $2k → 12%LIFE SERVICES OF SPOKANE: $2k → 12%LIFE SERVICES OF SPOKANE: $2k → 12%MT SPOKANE 2000: $5k → 12%MT SPOKANE 2000: $3k → 12%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

NH
WA
WY
NJ
CA
CO
DC
AL
TX
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

43%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.3M · 12 repeat orgs$1.7M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +52% since the first grant, against +5% for those funded once.

12 repeat relationships: 1 still active in FY2024, 11 since wound down; 4 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

12
22

Total granted

$1.3M
$1.5M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+52%
+5%

Still filing today

92%
73%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 31% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $220k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24
Arts & CultureEducationCivil RightsFood & NutritionHealthCrime & LegalOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
    2× · 2020–2022 · $451k · revenue +42%
  • MP
    MADDIE'S PLACE
    2× · 2020–2022 · $250k · revenue +526%
  • IN
    INLAND NORTHWEST LAND TRUST
    4× · 2020–2024 · $123k · revenue +61%

Funded once

  • Spokane Valley Hubgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $750k · revenue +112% · 38% of their budget
  • WU
    WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY
    one grant, 2022 · $500k · revenue +1%
  • SG
    Spokane Guilds' School & Neuromuscular Centergraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $100k · revenue +52%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Spokane Parks Foundation

The Spokane Parks Foundation cultivates the health, growth, and continued enjoyment of our communities by inspiring giving and passion for our parks.

—
2
Innovation Spokane Schools

To prepare a diverse range of students for a life of learning in post-secondary education, citizenship, and leadership.

Education
3
Community Foundation of Snohomish County

The Community Foundation of Snohomish County (the Foundation) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington. The Foundation serves as a community foundation, supporting a broad spectrum of…

Philanthropy
4
Community Health Association of Spokane

The mission of the Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS Health) is to improve the overall health of the communities we serve by expanding access to quality health and wellness services.

Health
5
Washington Filmworks

To build and enhance the competitiveness of Washington State's film and associated creative industry. We accomplish this by marketing and managing the state's production incentive program, representing the state in national and…

Community Improvement
6
Spark Northwest

Founded in 2001, Spark Northwest accelerates the just transition to clean energy in the Pacific Northwest. Spark Northwest uses two primary strategies: (1) on-the-ground project consulting, focusing on communities with limited financial…

Environment
7
Visit Spokane

The mission of Visit Spokane is to help promote economic development for Spokane County through tourism and tourism promotion.

—
8
Re Sources

RE Sources mobilizes people of Northwest Washington to build just and thriving communities and to protect the land, water, and climate on which we all depend.

Environment
9
United Way of Snohomish County

United way of snohomish county improves lives for families in snohomish county by bringing people, resources, and strategy together.

Philanthropy
10
Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce

The Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, dba Greater Spokane, Incorporated, primary mission is to lead transformative business and community initiatives to build a robust regional economy.

—
11
King County Sexual Assault Resource Center

KCSARC is the largest and most comprehensive non-profit provider of sexual assault services in King County and Washington State. Our vision is a community free of sexual violence. Our mission is to: give voice to victims, their families,…

—
12
The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound

To grow a lasting culture of generosity and well-being in the South Puget Sound through connection, leadership, and investment.

Philanthropy
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Northwest Harvest Emm; the most unlike its peers is James E Hughes Jr Foundation. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

30 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 30 of the 39 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

2
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
10
Early backer (in before they grew)
30/30
Grantees still filing
19/30
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

WHITWORTH UNIVERSITY: $500,000 · EducationWHITWORTH UNIVERSITYWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $451,000 · EducationWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY FO…+3 more: $19,800 · EducationSpokane Valley Hub: $750,000 · Recreation & SportsSpokane Valley HubInnovia Foundation: $635,000 · PhilanthropyInnovia Foundation+1 more: $10,000 · PhilanthropySpokane Symphony and Fox Theater Endowment Fund: $400,000 · Arts & CultureSpokane Symph…Carl Maxey Center: $30,000 · Arts & CultureCarl Maxey Ce…+4 more: $15,500 · Arts & CultureSpokane Guilds' School & Neuromuscular Center: $100,000 · OtherSpokane Guild…PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER WASHINGTONNORTH IDAHO: $53,000 · OtherPLANNED PAREN…MULTI-ETHNIC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (AHANA): $50,000 · OtherMULTI-ETHNIC …Seattle Children's Foundation: $25,000 · OtherSeattle Child…VILLAGE COHOUSING WORKS: $25,000 · OtherVILLAGE COHOU…Boys & Girls Club of Spokane County: $120,000 · OtherBoys & Girls …+16 more: $63,800 · Other+16 moreMADDIE'S PLACE: $250,000 · Health+1 more: $6,600 · HealthINLAND NORTHWEST LAND TRUST: $123,400 · Environment
Education$970,800Recreation & Sports$750,000Philanthropy$645,000Arts & Culture$445,500Other$436,800Health$256,600Environment$123,400

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetSpokane Valley Hub: $750,000 over 1y, 38% of budgetInnovia Foundation: $635,000 over 4y, 0.7% of budgetWHITWORTH UNIVERSITY: $500,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION: $451,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetSpokane Symphony and Fox Theater Endowment Fund: $400,000 over 2y, 34% of budgetMADDIE'S PLACE: $250,000 over 2y, 18% of budgetINLAND NORTHWEST LAND TRUST: $123,400 over 4y, 2.6% of budgetBoys & Girls Club of Spokane County: $120,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetSpokane Guilds' School & Neuromuscular Center: $100,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetCarl Maxey Center: $30,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetSeattle Children's Foundation: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJAMES E HUGHES JR FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetThe Thacher School Inc: $9,700 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetNORTHWEST HARVEST EMM: $9,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetMt Spokane 2000: $8,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS: $7,600 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetLIFE SERVICES OF SPOKANE: $6,600 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetCommunity Center for the Arts: $6,300 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSpokane Symphony Society: $5,200 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetLEGAL FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON: $4,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCREATE YOUR STATEMENT: $3,200 over 2y, 1.9% of budgetCo-Lab Projects: $3,000 over 1y, 3.7% of budgetSANTA BARBARA RESCUE MISSION: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFoodbank of Santa Barbara County Inc: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWASHINGTON POLICY CENTER: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMAINSPRING SCHOOLS INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCOBALT FOUNDATION: $2,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUnited States Association for UNHCR: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetThe Art Association of Jackson Hole: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetCentral Texas Food Bank Inc: $900 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Innovia FoundationThe Avista FoundationM J Murdock Charitabl…The Bergquist Foundat…Women Helping Women F…First Interstate Banc…Seattle FoundationThe Is & Emily Fetter…Pierce Charitable Tru…Numerica Credit UnionSmith-Barbieri Progre…Bnsf Railway Foundati…
Innovia FoundationWA25.9× affinity11 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Innovia Foundation · The Avista Foundation · M J Murdock Charitable Trust · The Bergquist Foundation Attn Eric Sachtjen · Women Helping Women Fund · First Interstate BancSystem Foundation Inc · Seattle Foundation · The Is & Emily Fetterman Foundation · Pierce Charitable Trust Xxx-Xx-Xxxx · Numerica Credit Union · Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund a Charitable Foundation · Bnsf Railway Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%3%5%8%10%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    11report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–10%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to Harriet Cheney Cowles Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 39 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Harriet Cheney Cowles’ filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home