The Charles Spear Charitable Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Charles Spear Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Pawling, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $680,000 in 40 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $100,000. 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$680,000
- Number of grants40
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$13.7 million
- New grantees20%
Giving in 2025 was up from $639,500 the year before.
20% 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 | $417,500 | 39 | $12.2 million |
| 2024 | $639,500 | 42 | $12.7 million |
| 2025 | $680,000 | 40 | $13.7 million |
How to apply
The Charles Spear Charitable 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.
What The Charles Spear Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 14 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 16 | $370,000 |
| Connecticut | 3 | $55,000 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $50,000 |
| California | 4 | $45,000 |
| Virginia | 2 | $30,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $30,000 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $25,000 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $20,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $15,000 |
| Alabama | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wnyc-Ny Public Radio | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Wnet | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Childrens Center of New Milford | Charitable | $40,000 |
| Pro Publica | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Institute for Non Profit Practice | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting | Charitable | $30,000 |
| Public Media Bridge Fund | Charitable | $30,000 |
| ACLU Foundation | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Food Bank of NYC | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Planned Parenthood | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Salk Institute for Biological Studies | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | Charitable | $20,000 |
| City Meals on Wheels | Charitable | $15,000 |
| St Judes Childrens Hospital | Charitable | $15,000 |
| US Autism Homes | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Coalition for the Homeless | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Amazon Conservation Team | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Amnesty International | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Books for Africa | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Cancer Research Institure | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Charity Navigator | Charitable | $10,000 |
| National Wildlife Rehab | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Environmental & Energy Study Institute | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Friends of the Earth | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Friends of the Sherman Senior Center | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Henry Kendall Society | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Humane Farming Assocation | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Nurses House Inc | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Operation Delta Dog | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Oxfam America | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Wikimedia Foundation | Charitable | $10,000 |
| 350ORG | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Acadia Center | Charitable | $5,000 |
| African Wild Life Foundation | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Last Chance for Animals | Charitable | $5,000 |
| New Fairfield Sherman Animal Center | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Riverkeeper | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Water Mission International | Charitable | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Caroline M Barrett
- Barbara Solomon
- James Galvin
Questions people ask
Does The Charles Spear Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Charles Spear Charitable Foundation give?
$680,000 in tax year 2025, across 40 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs The Charles Spear Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Caroline M Barrett (President,director,treasur), Barbara Solomon (Director) and James Galvin (Director, VP, Secretary).
What does The Charles Spear Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, environment and conservation and food and hunger.