Baker Charitable Trust
Baker Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Columbia, South Carolina. Its 2021 IRS filing is marked as a final return, indicating that the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Baker Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Baker Charitable Trust gave $114K across 14 grants in 2021 (avg $8K), top state South Carolina. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $113,943
- +3078.3% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 14
- +600.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $8,139
- +354.0% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $4,984
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (40% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Baker Charitable Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 25710, Columbia, SC 29224-7510
Phone: (803) 787-4332
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Baker Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Beth Shalom Synagouge ($20K). Together the top 10 received $104K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 16 grants of 16 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, recipients in South Carolina received 40% of grant dollars, followed by New York at 20%, North Carolina and Alabama at 11% each, and Maryland at 6%. Grants also went to organizations in California, the District of Columbia, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2020) to $114K (2021). In 2021 it made 14 grants totaling $114K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Beth Shalom Synagouge Columbia, SC | Jewish House of Worship | $19,526 |
| American Civil Liberties Union New York, NY | Legal Research and Education | $19,467 |
| Temple of Israel Wilmington, NC | Religous Institution | $13,103 |
| Southern Poverty Law Montgomery, AL | Education, Research | $12,931 |
| University of SC Educational Foun Columbia, SC | Education | $12,773 |
| Columbia Jewish Federation Columbia, SC | Eleemosynary | $9,816 |
| Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Silver Spring, MD | Eleemosynary | $6,523 |
| Sierra Club Foundation Oakland, CA | Research, Education | $3,445 |
| Oceana Inc 501(C)(3) Washington, DC | Research, Education | $3,218 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council New York, NY | Research, Education | $3,218 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $2,972 | $117,039 | $113,943 | 14 | $113,943 | — | — |
| 2020 | $114,067 | $5,345 | $5,206 | $3,585 | 2 | — | $4,297 | $7,766 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available grant records show support for religious institutions, civil liberties and legal research, education, environmental research and education, and charitable services. The ACLU describes its mission as advancing civil liberties and rights; the Sierra Club Foundation says it works to educate and empower people to protect and improve the natural and human environment. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not a stated mission of the trust.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the trust reported 14 grants totaling $113,943. Grant amounts ranged from $340 to $19,526, with a median of $4,984. Notable grants included $19,526 to Beth Shalom Synagogue, $19,467 to the American Civil Liberties Union, $13,103 to Temple of Israel, $12,931 to Southern Poverty Law, and $12,773 to the University of South Carolina Educational Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Sam Baker was listed as trustee on the 2021 filing.
Baker Charitable Trust is led by Sam Baker, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Sam Baker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Baker Charitable Trust
How much does Baker Charitable Trust give each year?
Baker Charitable Trust gave $114K across 14 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $4K across 2 grants.
What is Baker Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Baker Charitable Trust's median grant in 2021 was $4,984, and its average grant was $8,139, across 14 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Baker Charitable Trust give grants?
Baker Charitable Trust's top state is South Carolina, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (20%) and North Carolina (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbia, SC (5 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Baker Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Baker Charitable Trust's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research, Education" (4 grants).
Who are Baker Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Baker Charitable Trust's largest 2021 grantees include Beth Shalom Synagouge ($19,526), American Civil Liberties Union ($19,467) and Temple of Israel ($13,103), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Baker Charitable Trust fund?
The available grant records show support for religious institutions, civil liberties and legal research, education, environmental research and education, and charitable services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Baker Charitable Trust?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Baker Charitable Trust's EIN?
Baker Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7248956. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Baker Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Figures come from Baker Charitable Trust's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Baker Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?