Poor Richard's Charitable Trust
Preselected recipients only
Poor Richard's Charitable Trust is a private foundation in Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.1 million in 35 grants; the typical grant was $35,000 and the largest $859,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.1 million
- Number of grants35
- Typical grant$35,000
- Largest grant$859,000
- Assets$67.6 million
- New grantees20%
Giving in 2024 was down from $3.2 million the year before.
20% of its 2024 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 | $3.2 million | 42 | $63.5 million |
| 2024 | $3.1 million | 35 | $67.6 million |
How to apply
Poor Richard's Charitable Trust 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 Poor Richard's Charitable Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Pennsylvania.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 33 | $2.9 million |
| New York | 1 | $85,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $50,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Museum of Art | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $859,000 |
| Center City District Foundation | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $250,000 |
| Center for Architecture Design | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $250,000 |
| Spotlight Pa | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $225,000 |
| Germination Project | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $150,000 |
| Tiny Wpa | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $125,000 |
| Craftnow | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $120,000 |
| Philadelphia Soccer 2026 | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $100,000 |
| Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative (Pysc) | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $100,000 |
| Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $100,000 |
| Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $85,000 |
| Philadelphia Visitor Center | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $75,000 |
| Starfinder Foundation | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $75,000 |
| Abortion Access for All | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $50,000 |
| Share Food Program | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $50,000 |
| The Athenaeum of Philadelphia | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $50,000 |
| Neighborhood Garden's Trust | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $45,000 |
| Schuylkill River Development Corp | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $35,000 |
| Drexel University | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| Heights Philadelphia | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| Hopephl | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| National Constitution Center | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| Philadelphia Union Foundation | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| Society Hill Preservation Foundation | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| US Squash | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $25,000 |
| Rodeph Shalom Congregation | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $21,250 |
| The Philadelphia Foundation | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $20,000 |
| Fringearts | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $10,000 |
| Philadelphia Children's Alliance | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $10,000 |
| Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $10,000 |
| Celebration of Benjamin Franklin Founder | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $5,000 |
| Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $5,000 |
| PHILADELPHIA250 | To fund the operational budgets of the organization | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Lisa S Roberts
- David Seltzer
Questions people ask
Does Poor Richard's Charitable Trust accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Poor Richard's Charitable Trust give?
$3.1 million in tax year 2024, across 35 grants, with a typical grant of $35,000.
Who runs Poor Richard's Charitable Trust?
Its 2024 filing lists Lisa S Roberts (Trustee) and David Seltzer (Trustee).
What does Poor Richard's Charitable Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and youth programs.