The Bower Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Bower Foundation is a private foundation in Ridgeland, Mississippi. In tax year 2025 it gave $12.6 million in 51 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $902,195. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$12.6 million
- Number of grants51
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$902,195
- Assets$133 million
- New grantees18%
Giving in 2025 was up from $3.6 million the year before.
18% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.7 million | 37 | $112 million |
| 2024 | $3.6 million | 37 | $118 million |
| 2025 | $12.6 million | 51 | $133 million |
How to apply
The Bower Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What The Bower Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Mississippi.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 49 | $5.1 million |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $45,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Mississippi Health Polic | Funding grant 2024-2026 | $902,195 |
| Converge | Birth control educat & engagement | $500,000 |
| University of Mississippi | Enhance access to autism disorder ev | $449,947 |
| Mississippi State University Founda | Accel master of science-nursing | $345,000 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Accel bachelor of science in nursing | $339,000 |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College FN | Modernizing healthcare training | $315,880 |
| Mha Health Research and Education | Ms student nurse mentorship | $312,836 |
| Direct Grant Expenses - V | Expenses related to direct grants | $311,448 |
| Mississippi University for Women | Muw nurse scholarships | $250,000 |
| Phi Theta Kappa Foundation | Trnsf schlrships nursing students-ds | $232,000 |
| Singing River Health Systems | Healthcare academy equip & apprentic | $216,000 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Usm pathways to bsw 2.0 | $139,243 |
| Ms Gulf Coast Community College | New technical & healthcare workforce | $101,000 |
| Ms Public Health Institute | Suppt communications & develop dir | $100,000 |
| Mississippi Department of Education | Move to learn 2025-2026 | $97,500 |
| Northwest Ms Community College Fnd | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $58,800 |
| Phi Theta Kappa Foundation | Membership for healthcare scholars | $51,500 |
| Itawamba Community College Foundati | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $48,000 |
| Singing River Health Systems | Academy website design & deployment | $43,320 |
| Holmes Community College Foundation | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $40,000 |
| East Ms Commun College Fnd | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $34,000 |
| Jones County Junior College | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $28,800 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard Co | Health coverage fellowship 2025 | $25,000 |
| Meridian Community College Foundati | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $21,600 |
| Northeast Ms Community College Fnd | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $21,600 |
| Boston Medical Center | Sustaining baby friendly init-v 2 | $20,000 |
| Copiah Lincoln Community College | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $20,000 |
| Coahoma Community College | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $18,000 |
| Inspire Health Inc | Operating budget | $15,567 |
| Pearl River Community College Fnd | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $12,000 |
| East Central Ms Community College | Advancing ms healthcare workforce | $11,000 |
| Jones County Junior College | 3d human anatomy technology | $10,000 |
| East Central Ms Community College | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $10,000 |
| Hinds Community College Foundation | Advancing ms healthcare workforce 3. | $10,000 |
| Ms State University Foundation | Nursing graduate student scholarship | $6,000 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Accel bachelor of science fellowship | $6,000 |
| University of Ms Medical Center | Culinary medicine teaching kitchen | $5,000 |
| University of Ms Medical Center | Elementary ed degree with hlth endor | $4,900 |
| University of Ms Medical Center | Bldg strong future for nursing in ms | $1,000 |
| Alcorn State University | Advancing ms healthcare workforce | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Anne Travis
- Ralph Didlake MD
- Walter Neely PHD
- William S Painter
- Cheryl Lee Sykes
- Teresa Lindsey
Questions people ask
Does The Bower Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Bower Foundation give?
$12.6 million in tax year 2025, across 51 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs The Bower Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Anne Travis (Ceo/Bd Presi), Ralph Didlake MD (Director), Walter Neely PHD (Director) and William S Painter (Director) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Bower Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and science and research.