Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust is a private foundation, based in Boston, MA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $502K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 8 grants totaling $35K. Net investment income was $29K.
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust at a glance
In short: Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust gave $35K across 8 grants in 2026 (avg $4K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $35,000
- -10.3% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 8
- +14.3% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $4,375
- -21.5% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $502,166
- -4.0% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (94% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Carroll Center for the Blind ($5K). Together the top 8 received $35K.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 41 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust gives
- Giving fell 31% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 75% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2026) to $51K (2023). In 2026 it made 8 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carroll Center for the Blind Newton, MA | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Boston, MA | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Milton Academy Milton, MA | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Wellfleet Food Pantry Wellfleet, MA | General Fund | $5,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Boston Boston, MA | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Fleet Fund Inc Wellfleet, MA | General Fund | $4,000 |
| Ma Audobon Society Lincoln, MA | General Fund | $4,000 |
| Consequence Forum Las Vegas, NV | General Fund | $2,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $502,166 | $44,253 | $65,106 | $35,000 | 8 | $49,744 | $28,891 | $66,482 |
| 2025 | $523,014 | $23,889 | $90,176 | $39,000 | 7 | $64,134 | $10,426 | $63,388 |
| 2024 | $589,229 | $40,018 | $83,366 | $44,000 | 9 | $68,485 | $25,137 | $61,303 |
| 2023 | $632,577 | $38,739 | $71,942 | $51,000 | 10 | $63,848 | $30,645 | $61,262 |
| 2022 | $665,782 | $40,327 | $55,523 | $40,000 | 7 | $50,058 | $27,741 | $59,660 |
| 2021 | $680,978 | $33,000 | $61,806 | $36,000 | 8 | — | $28,087 | $50,683 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust reported a distributable amount of $66K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's 2026 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
F. Curtis Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$4K (2021) → $5K (2026)
Cameron Curtis Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
$10K (2025) → $5K (2026)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Elizabeth Van Dorn Dec'd (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Elizabeth Van Dorn (2021–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $5K, to F Curtis Smith (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust
How much does Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust give each year?
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust gave $35K across 8 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $39K across 7 grants.
What is Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's typical grant size?
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's median grant in 2026 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,375, across 8 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust give grants?
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust gives mostly in Massachusetts: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nevada (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (2 grants) and Wellfleet, MA (2 grants).
Does Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's largest grantees?
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's largest 2026 grantees include Carroll Center for the Blind ($5,000), Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary ($5,000) and Milton Academy ($5,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust?
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust reported $502K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $50K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $66K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's EIN?
Ellen Abbott Gilman Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6462394. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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