Cogswell Benevolent Trust
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Trust's priority is New Hampshire, and it generally expects an established programme there, with only limited funds for out-of-state projects, so a New Hampshire organisation is the clearest fit.
- Ask for a modest sum: about 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $5,000 and $40,000, and half of its grants to organisations were $10,000 or less, although its largest grant was $150,000, so $10,000 is a sensible starting point rather than a ceiling.
- Frame the request around one specific project with an itemised budget, because requests for general operating or start-up expenses, feasibility studies, endowments, conferences, film or video production and deficit elimination are rarely considered, and the Trust does not aim to provide permanent programme support.
- Applications are rolling, so a brief letter with the budget, the latest audited financial statement and Form 990-PF can be sent at any time.
- The filing shows that 52% of grant dollars to organisations went to organisations funded earlier, but the Trust generally avoids grants to the same organisation in successive years, so a past grantee should not count on renewal, and a new applicant should not be discouraged.
Overview
Cogswell Benevolent Trust is a US private foundation based in Bedford, NH.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Trust accepts requests from nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organisations and public agencies, and its eligibility covers tax-exempt organisations regardless of purpose. It generally expects an established programme to be located in New Hampshire, although limited funds may be available for out-of-state projects. Its recorded grants have reached food banks and pantries, family and housing services, youth and camp programmes, healthcare and disability services, schools, and cultural and community organisations. Grant purposes have included food provision, transitional living, youth activities, healthcare equipment, and improvements to community facilities. The Trust says requests for general operating or start-up expenses, feasibility studies, endowments, conferences, film or video production, and deficit elimination are rarely considered; it does not aim to provide permanent programme support.
Geographic Focus
Priority: New Hampshire.
How to apply
Submit a brief application letter setting out the project purpose, how it will be carried out and the amount requested, with an itemised income and expenditure budget, the latest audited financial statement and Form 990-PF.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 52% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 324 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The Trust rarely considers requests for general operating or start-up expenses, feasibility studies, endowments, conferences, film or video production, or deficit elimination.
- Except in an emergency, it generally avoids grants to the same organisation in successive years.
- The Trust does not aim to provide permanent support for programmes.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 6% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 52% of grant dollars went to organisations Cogswell Benevolent Trust had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 7% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 107 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $10,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- YMCA Camp Huckins · Capital expenditure$75,0002025 tax year
- Friends of Aine Center · Support new program replication model initiative$75,0002025 tax year
- Granite United Way · Annual appeal$60,0002025 tax year
- Waypoint NH · Building capacity around impact measurement and quality initiatives$50,0002025 tax year
- NH Food Bank · Thanksgiving turkeys$50,0002025 tax year
- ST Amselm's Jean School Of Nursing And Health Sciences · Capital support grappone hall$50,0002025 tax year
- My Turn · Expand project complete programs at central and west high schools$50,0002025 tax year
- Easter Seals NH · Construct playground at gammon academy, zachary road manch. 3 yr pledge $150k in 2024, $50k in 2025 & 2026$50,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Mark Northridge — Trustee
- Peter Kachavos — Trustee
- Charles Goodwin — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $2,647,038 | $2,139,364 | $38,846,117 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,163,395 | $1,706,074 | $40,898,063 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $2,248,974 | $1,763,326 | $42,199,758 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to Cogswell Benevolent Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (603) 622-4013
- info@cogswellbenevolenttrust.org
- Bedford, NH
- cogswellbenevolenttrust.org
Applying to Cogswell Benevolent Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (603) 622-4013
- info@cogswellbenevolenttrust.org
- Bedford, NH
- cogswellbenevolenttrust.org