The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research. Occasionally, the trust supports national and international efforts that are mission-aligned or long-standing partners. The primary areas of support are Downstate New York and South Florida.

There are no limitations on whom The Trust can give to as long as the charitable organization is 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. The Trust favors applicants who have developed a wide base of support for their programming. We prefer not to be the only funder.

The Trust Board of Trustees meets four times a year in January, April, July, and October to consider grant requests. An eligible request that arrives too late for one meeting will be placed on the agenda of the following meeting.  

Proposals must be received on the following dates to be included in the agendas noted:

• December 1 - January agenda

• March 1 - April agenda

• June 1 - July agenda

• September 1 - October agenda

Please be advised that The Cowles Charitable Trust will only be accepting grant applications submitted via email to submissions@cowlescharitabletrust.org

The Trust asks that all grant recipients acknowledge their receipt of Trust funds in hardcopy. A brief final report must be sent to the Trust electronically within sixty days following the program period for which the grant was given, or following the expenditure of the granted funds, whichever occurs first. This report should state if the objectives of the grant were met, and if not, why not. Of special interest to the Trust are any ongoing effects from the grant.