Stearns Charitable Trust
Preselected recipients only
Stearns Charitable Trust is a private foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2025 it gave $450,000 in 42 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $55,000. 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$450,000
- Number of grants42
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$55,000
- Assets$9.5 million
- New grantees19%
Giving in 2025 was up from $396,657 the year before.
19% 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 | $409,331 | 43 | $7.8 million |
| 2024 | $396,657 | 41 | $8.5 million |
| 2025 | $450,000 | 42 | $9.5 million |
How to apply
Stearns 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 Stearns Charitable Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Massachusetts.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 17 | $151,500 |
| California | 9 | $122,500 |
| Virginia | 2 | $60,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $50,000 |
| New York | 3 | $21,000 |
| Rhode Island | 3 | $17,500 |
| Michigan | 1 | $10,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $7,500 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $5,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Shepherd Conservation Society | Program support | $55,000 |
| Massachusetts Rivers Alliance | Program support | $40,000 |
| Woodmere Art Museum | Program support | $30,000 |
| Stanford University | Program support | $20,000 |
| University of California San Francisco Foundation (Uscf Foundation) | Program support | $20,000 |
| Wheaton College | Program support | $20,000 |
| Compass Family Services | Program support | $17,500 |
| Bric Arts Media Bklyn Inc (DBA Bric) | Program support | $15,000 |
| Saint Ignatius School | Program support | $15,000 |
| Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation | Program support | $10,000 |
| Grace Science Foundation | Program support | $10,000 |
| Make A Wish Foundation | Program support | $10,000 |
| Marin County Bicycle Coalition | Program support | $10,000 |
| National Park Service (Old Slater Mill Association) | Program support | $10,000 |
| National Park Service (Point Reyes National Seashore) | Program support | $10,000 |
| Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium Foundation | Program support | $10,000 |
| Pine Street Inn | Program support | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc | Program support | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania Inc | Program support | $10,000 |
| Sea Education Association Inc | Program support | $10,000 |
| Keystone Care | Program support | $10,000 |
| Love Lives in Seekonk | Program support | $10,000 |
| Marin General Hospital Foundation DBA Marinhealth Foundation | Program support | $10,000 |
| Conservation International | Program support | $5,000 |
| Conservation Law Foundation | Program support | $5,000 |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Program support | $5,000 |
| Greenpeace Fund Inc | Program support | $5,000 |
| North Shore Country Day School | Program support | $5,000 |
| Save the Children | Program support | $5,000 |
| Seekonk Land Conservation Trust | Program support | $5,000 |
| Seekonk Library Trust | Program support | $5,000 |
| Sojourner House Inc | Program support | $5,000 |
| Westport Land Conservation Trust | Program support | $5,000 |
| Westport River Watershed Alliance | Program support | $5,000 |
| Berkshire Immigrant Center Inc | Program support | $5,000 |
| Medecins Sans Frontieres USA Inc (DBA Doctors Without Borders USA Inc) | Program support | $4,000 |
| Environmental Working Group | Program support | $2,500 |
| Garden Time Inc | Program support | $2,500 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Program support | $2,500 |
| Brooklyn Public Library | Program support | $2,000 |
Officers and trustees
- James A Gassel
- Kimberly B Soule
- Sarah J Lodge
Questions people ask
Does Stearns Charitable Trust accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Stearns Charitable Trust give?
$450,000 in tax year 2025, across 42 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Stearns Charitable Trust?
Its 2025 filing lists James A Gassel (Trustee), Kimberly B Soule (Trustee) and Sarah J Lodge (Trustee).
What does Stearns Charitable Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and arts and culture.