Elisha V Ashton Trust UW
The Elisha V Ashton Trust UW is a private foundation established in 1957 under the will of Elisha V. Ashton. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the trust is administered by the law firm Choate Hall & Stewart LLP. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation with a fiscal year ending in October.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.9M
+16.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+57.2% YoY
Grant Count
17
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$64K
+57.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Elisha V Ashton Trust UW reported a distributable amount of $943K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The trust focuses its grantmaking on established Massachusetts-based organizations in the following areas:
- Education
- Human Services
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism
The foundation makes general operating grants to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$30,459 to $152,295
Invitation Only
** Invitation only; the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses on Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on the Boston area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $19,927,359 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving:
- 2024: $1,082,840
- 2023: $688,736
Revenue (2024):
- Total revenues: $1,854,116
- Investment income and dividends: $454,268
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $1,399,848
Expenses (2024):
- Total expenses: $1,274,384
Investment Portfolio: The foundation's assets are invested primarily in:
- Corporate stocks: $12.7 million
- Government obligations: $3.2 million
- Short-term investments
The foundation receives no external contributions and generates its income entirely from investments.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,927,359 | $17,129,189 | $16,998,418 |
| Revenue | $1,854,116 | $621,210 | $719,714 |
| Expenses | $1,274,384 | $837,898 | $374,299 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,117,069 | $718,804 | $294,227 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,718,123 | $502,116 | $654,642 |
| Distributable Amount | $943,020 | $866,304 | $905,554 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Home for Little Wanderers ($246,100), Boston Children's Hospital ($98,440), Boston Fatherless & Widows Society ($49,220).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA | General | $98,440 |
| Boston Fatherless & Widows Society Boston, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Boston Pilot's Relief Society East Boston, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Boston Seaman's Friend Society Inc Chelsea, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Dimock Community Health Center Roxbury, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Goddard House Brookline, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Managers of Boston Port & Seamen's Aid Society Salem, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Boston, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Massachusetts Medical Benevolent Society Waltham, MA | General | $49,220 |
| Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Boston, MA | General | $49,220 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard K Nichols | Trustee | 1 | $31,429 |
| Kristin T Abati | Trustee | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Administrator: Choate Hall & Stewart LLP
Phone: (617) 248-4760
Address: Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Elisha V Ashton Trust UW fund?
The trust focuses its grantmaking on established Massachusetts-based organizations in the following areas: • Education • Human Services • Philanthropy and Voluntarism The foundation makes general operating grants to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for a grant from Elisha V Ashton Trust UW?
**Application Process:** Invitation only; the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. **Grant Activity:** • Approximately 17 grants awarded annually (consistent 2020-2023) • Grant range: $30,459 to $152,295 • Standard grants typically fall between $30,459 and $79,556 • Larger grants can reach up to $152,295 **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • The Home for Little Wanderers: $246,100 • Boston Fatherless and Widows Society: $49,220 • Boston Seamans Friend Society: $49,220 **Recent G…
Where does Elisha V Ashton Trust UW make grants?
The foundation primarily focuses on Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on the Boston area.
What size grants does Elisha V Ashton Trust UW award?
In 2024, Elisha V Ashton Trust UW awarded 17 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $64K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Elisha V Ashton Trust UW required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Elisha V Ashton Trust UW reported a distributable amount of $943K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Elisha V Ashton Trust UW's EIN?
Elisha V Ashton Trust UW's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6016303. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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