Gow Family Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Gow Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to youth, human services, and education.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.

PROFILE: Established in 2012, the Gow Family Foundation is currently steered by real estate mogul Jeffery D. Gow and his ex-wife Pamela. Jeffery worked at Polygon Northwest Company, a homebuilder in the Seattle and Portland areas, for more than three decades and served as CEO until its sale to William Lyon Homes for $520 million in cash. Jeffery D. Gow attended University of British Columbia from 1976 to 1980, where he studied history.

The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax records, the Gow Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to youth, human services, and education.

Grants for Education

The couple both attended University of British Columbia and support the school. They’ve also supported places like Rainier Prep and Rainier Scholars.

Much of the family’s other philanthropy in this area focuses on youth organizations. Grantees have included Amara, which deals with foster care; Art with Heart; and Bellevue LifeSpring, whose “mission is to foster stability and self-sufficiency for Bellevue’s children and their families through programs that provide food, clothing, education and emergency assistance.”

Grants for Health

Pamela Gow is a former registered nurse turned Qigong Instructor and Feldenkrais Practitioner. She appears to have a strong interest in health and wellness. The Feldenkrais Method aims to improve human functioning by increasing self-awareness through movement. Via their foundation, the Gows have supported places like Food Lifeline; Recovery Cafe; Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands; Washington Women in Need; and Yuan Tze Ren Xue which deals with health and wellness issues.

Other opportunities:

The family has also earmarked funds for places like Museum of Flight, Pottery Northwest, and Wild Salmon Center.

Important Grant Details:

Grants range from $10,000 to $140,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away over $1,440,000. Past grantees include Rainier Scholars; Amara, which deals with foster care; Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands; Washington Women in Need; Museum of Flight; and Pottery Northwest

While the foundation keeps a low profile, it does have an application form which can be requested from the foundation. There are no application deadlines or restrictions on awards.

PEOPLE:

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

CONTACT:

Jeffery Gow - Gow Family Foundation 
11624 SE Fifth Street, Suite 210
Bellevue, WA 98005