Jay Cowles

President at Unity Avenue Associates; former chairman of Cowles Media Company

Jay Cowles is a former media company executive and owner, with a long history of community engagement and entrepreneurial interests. As chairman of Cowles Media Company, he led the family owners and board of directors during the 1990s, until the sale of the company (and Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper) in 1998. After the sale, Jay led his family’s investment company and office until 2016. Jay has also served for decades on a variety of civic and nonprofit boards, and is currently the vice chair of the Minnesota State colleges and universities system, in addition to several other boards. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School (MBA).

Relationships Interlocks Giving Data

Board Memberships

The On Being Project Nonprofit media and public life initiative

• Board Member

Positions

Lawrence Creek

• Managing Director

Unity Avenue Associates

• President

Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Executive Committee

Donations

Educators For Excellence

• Donation/Grant

Federal Election Campaign Contributions

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Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee - Contributions

• 1 contribution · 20,000 USD (May 30 '14)

Amy Klobuchar US Senator from Minnesota, 2020 Democratic presidential primary candidate

• 13 contributions · 9,000 USD (Dec 28 '05→Mar 24 '17)

MN OH PA Victory Fund

• 2 contributions · 5,000 USD (Dec 18 '17→Dec 24 '17)

Bob Casey Former Pennsylvania US Senator (2007-2025)

• 2 contributions · 2,500 USD (Dec 31 '17)

Keith Ellison Minnesota Attorney General; US Representative from Minnesota

• 3 contributions · 2,000 USD (Jul 16 '15→Jun 5 '18)

Angie Craig US Representative from Minnesota

• 3 contributions · 2,000 USD (Oct 31 '17→Jun 12 '18)

Dean Phillips US Representative from Minnesota, 2024 Democratic Party presidential primary candidate

• 1 contribution · 1,700 USD (Mar 30 '18)

Russ Feingold Former US Senator from Wisconsin

• 3 contributions · 1,500 USD (Feb 22 '16→Jun 20 '16)

Sherrod Brown Democratic US Senator from Ohio (2007-present); former US Rep from Ohio (1993-2007)

• 1 contribution · 1,250 USD (Dec 24 '17)

Sheldon Whitehouse US Senator from Rhode Island (2007-present)

• 1 contribution · 1,000 USD (Jun 7 '11)