FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust
The FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Established in 2024 to continue the work of the Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Foundation, it supports charitable organizations in areas including arts and culture, community services, education, historic preservation, medical programs, and scientific research.
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust gave $492K across 57 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Massachusetts. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $491,691
- Grants made (2025)
- 57
- Average grant
- $8,626
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $7,868,606
- +6.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (54% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust
- How to Apply
-
The website directs applicants to submit requests online and says applications are not accepted by mail or email. It describes annual March–June and September–December application cycles. The filing lists June 30 and December 30 as deadlines; the website lists June 30 and December 31.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists June 30 and December 31; the 2025 filing lists June 30 and December 30.
- Deadline
- The website lists June 30 and December 31; the 2025 filing lists June 30 and December 30.
- Contact
Application contact: Kelly Hewitt
Mailing address: 3301 Salterbeck Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Phone: (843) 270-8138
Email: kelly@fjbrothertoncharitabletrust.org
Website: https://fjbrothertoncharitabletrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Homeless Prevention Council ($25K). Together the top 10 received $179K.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 57 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust says it funds 501(c)(3) organizations located in Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and South Carolina. In 2025, grant dollars went primarily to Massachusetts (54%), followed by New Jersey (19%), New York (11%), Florida (5%), and Pennsylvania (3%). The 2025 filing states that awards are not made to organizations outside the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 57 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust gives
- In 2025 it paid out 89% 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
In 2025 it made 57 grants totaling $492K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Homeless Prevention Council Orleans, MA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Tech Goes Home Incorporated Boston, MA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Clarke School for the Deaf DBA Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech Northampton, MA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Gore Place Society Waltham, MA | General Support | $18,941 |
| Palm Beach County Medical Society Services West Palm Beach, FL | General Support | $15,000 |
| Chatham Marconi Maritime Center North Chatham, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Cape Abilities Hyannis, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Cape Cod Children's Place Eastham, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Mass Audubon South Wellfleet, MA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY | General Support | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
IRS filing data reports the following:
Separately, the Trust’s website reported total assets of $7,841,750 as of December 2025.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,868,606 | $998,562 | $413,008 | $491,691 | 57 | $322,421 | $924,173 | $363,183 |
| 2024 | $7,376,853 | $1,409,882 | $36,666 | — | — | $32,041 | $1,400,973 | $293,122 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $363K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust says it helps fulfill the missions of charitable organizations within its grantmaking guidelines. Its stated areas of interest are arts and culture; community, housing, and social services; education; historic preservation; medical programs; and scientific research. The website describes particular interests within those fields, including assistance for people who are needy or disabled.
Its 2025 grants illustrate support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Gore Place Society says its mission is to preserve and promote an early-19th-century estate as a community resource. Cape Abilities says it serves people with disabilities through educational, residential, therapeutic, and employment supports. Chatham Marconi Maritime Center says it preserves Chatham radio history through exhibits, education, and community engagement. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Trust made 57 grants totaling $491,691. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $8,000. The largest awards included $25,000 each to Homeless Prevention Council and Tech Goes Home Incorporated; $20,000 to Clarke School for the Deaf; and $18,941 to Gore Place Society. Other notable grants included $15,000 each to Palm Beach County Medical Society Services, Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, Cape Abilities, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Mass Audubon, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Volunteer Center of Bergen County, and The Wistar Institute.
The website describes an online application process with registration, a letter of intent, and a grant application. It says the portal is open during two four-month cycles each year and that the process from registration to final approval can take up to six months. Prior grantees must wait 18 months after their grant award date before applying again. The 2025 filing states that the Trust does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and that it makes no awards to organizations outside the United States.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
William P. Brotherton, M.D., is identified as trustee on the Trust’s website and its 2025 filing. The website also lists James Davies, Brian Brotherton, and Michael Brotherton on its advisory board, and Kelly Hewitt as administrator.
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust is led by William P. Brotherton, Trustee on every filing since 2024 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William P. Brotherton
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "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 FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust
How much does FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust give each year?
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust gave $492K across 57 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $8,000, and its average grant was $8,626, across 57 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust give grants?
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust gives mostly in Massachusetts: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Jersey (19%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Orleans, MA (5 grants), New York, NY (5 grants), Hyannis, MA (4 grants) and Boston, MA (3 grants).
Does FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (57 of 57) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Homeless Prevention Council ($25,000), Tech Goes Home Incorporated ($25,000) and Clarke School for the Deaf DBA Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust?
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust reported $7.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $322K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $363K (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 does FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust says it helps fulfill the missions of charitable organizations within its grantmaking guidelines. Its stated areas of interest are arts and culture; community, housing, and social services; education; historic preservation; medical programs; and scientific research. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust?
The website directs applicants to submit requests online and says applications are not accepted by mail or email. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's EIN?
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 99-6612263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 21, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in South Carolina
Central Carolina Community Foundation
Columbia, SC
Central Carolina Community Foundation funds education, human services, health, arts and culture, community development, disaster relief, and related community initiatives through specific grant programs. Its 2025 grants had a median of $20,000, and it primarily serves 11 Midlands counties while also funding statewide and nationally. It accepts applications through its online portal during published grant periods for specific opportunities; some programs are invitation-only.
Assets
$264.3M
Grants
488
Total Given
$26.5M
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc
N Charleston, SC
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina supports nonprofits and community initiatives in education, health, human services, the environment, arts, social justice, and community development across nine coastal South Carolina counties. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,057 to $2.3 million, with a median of $16,500; competitive programs accept applications through its online portal.
Assets
$435.6M
Grants
459
Total Given
$26.0M
Community Foundation of Greenville Inc
Greenville, SC
Community Foundation of Greenville funds nonprofits and projects in arts, education, environment, health, and human services, with a focus on Greenville County, South Carolina. Its 2026 Capacity Building Grants award $5,000–$12,500; 2024 grants had a median of $23,900. It accepts unsolicited requests through its Capacity Building Grants program.
Assets
$118.8M
Grants
346
Total Given
$26.4M
South Carolina Christian Foundation
Spartanburg, SC
The foundation funds Christian ministries, churches, and quality-of-life organizations, with particular attention through its Community Trust Grants to Christian nonprofits in five South Carolina counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, though awards varied widely; most grant dollars went to South Carolina, with additional funding in other states. Community Trust applicants must submit a Ministry Introduction Form and be invited to apply; the profile does not state whether other requests are unsolicited.
Assets
$45.4M
Grants
285
Total Given
$11.6M
Spartanburg County Foundation
Spartanburg, SC
The Spartanburg County Foundation funds nonprofits and community groups serving Spartanburg County residents, with priorities including quality of life, education, economic mobility, and organizational capacity. Its itemized 2025 grants had a median of $15,500; listed programs offer awards of up to $10,000–$35,000.
Assets
$280.4M
Grants
227
Total Given
$19.0M
United Community Bank Foundation
Greenville, SC
United Community Bank Foundation funds economic empowerment, arts, housing and youth development in communities served across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $16,000, with a median of $2,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; grants go to preselected organizations.
Assets
$12.6M
Grants
235
Total Given
$505K
More similar funders
More Funders in South Carolina
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fj-brotherton-charitable-trust-morg_9f5b0788339046839cce065099b73424
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_996612263_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fj-brotherton-charitable-trust-morg_9f5b0788339046839cce065099b73424},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from FJ Brotherton 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.
FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?