Esther Chesley Charitable Trust
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust is a private foundation, based in Concord, NH. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $586K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $24K. Net investment income was $40K.
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Esther Chesley Charitable Trust gave $24K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $24,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $585,691
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maine (75% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who Esther Chesley Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hampden Academy ($6K). Together the top 4 received $24K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 20 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Esther Chesley Charitable Trust gives
- Giving fell 25% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 77% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $24K (2024) to $36K (2020). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $24K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hampden Academy Hampden, ME | Francis J. Chesley Memorial Sch FD | $6,000 |
| Boy Scouts of Amer Katahdin Counc Orono, ME | General Support - Education/Scouting | $6,000 |
| Shriners Hospital for Children Boston, MA | General Support - Hospital Services | $6,000 |
| Hampden Methodist Church Hampden, ME | General Support - Religious Services | $6,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $585,691 | $43,982 | $32,501 | $24,000 | 4 | $26,566 | $39,685 | $34,528 |
| 2024 | $574,210 | $28,306 | $32,804 | $24,000 | 4 | $26,511 | $24,133 | $33,489 |
| 2023 | $578,708 | $33,537 | $36,073 | $28,000 | 4 | $31,729 | $30,253 | $31,088 |
| 2022 | $581,244 | $13,129 | $40,455 | $32,000 | 4 | $36,428 | $11,183 | $32,367 |
| 2021 | $608,570 | $47,283 | $36,724 | $28,000 | 4 | $32,775 | $43,574 | $35,490 |
| 2020 | $598,011 | $-5,447 | $44,653 | $36,000 | 4 | — | $12,994 | $33,692 |
| 2019 | $648,111 | $39,775 | $40,370 | $32,000 | 4 | — | $36,335 | $33,161 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esther Chesley Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $35K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust's only listed officer is BAR Harbor Wealth Management Ruth Dunbar, Trustee on every filing since 2022 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
BAR Harbor Wealth Management Ruth Dunbar
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$7K (2022) → $7K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: BAR Harbor Bank & Trust Ruth Dunbar (2019–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $7K, to Bar Harbor Wealth Management Ruth Dunbar (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Esther Chesley Charitable Trust
How much does Esther Chesley Charitable Trust give each year?
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust gave $24K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $24K across 4 grants.
What is Esther Chesley Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $6,000, and its average grant was $6,000, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Esther Chesley Charitable Trust give grants?
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust gives mostly in Maine: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hampden, ME (2 grants).
Does Esther Chesley Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of Esther Chesley Charitable Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Esther Chesley Charitable Trust?
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust reported $586K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $27K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $35K (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 Esther Chesley Charitable Trust's EIN?
Esther Chesley Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-7222155. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 29, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Esther Chesley Charitable Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Esther Chesley Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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