Foster Charitable Trust
Foster Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its website describes it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a private membership organization serving U.S. Armed Forces veterans and qualifying family members through education, coordination, and access to resources.
Foster Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Foster Charitable Trust gave $204K across 33 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $204,200
- +63.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 33
- +17.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,188
- +38.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $3,173,129
- +14.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (50% 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 Foster Charitable Trust
- How to Apply
-
The filing says the Trust does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants should contact Peter F Mars, Trustee, and provide charitable organization information and the entity’s determination letter. The filing lists no application deadline and no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Peter F Mars Trustee
Mailing address: 681 Andersen Drive Suite 300, Pittsburgh, PA 15220-2747
Phone: (412) 928-8900
Website: https://fostercharitabletrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Foster Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Jewish Federation - Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh ($50K). Together the top 10 received $164K.
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 147 grants of 152 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Pennsylvania recipients received 50% of grant dollars, followed by New York and Illinois at 14% each, Texas at 10%, and California at 5%. The reported grants also included recipients in other states, such as Washington, Utah, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Foster Charitable Trust gives
- 73% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 118% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $125K (2024) to $556K (2020). In 2025 it made 33 grants totaling $204K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Jewish Federation - Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $50,000 |
| Rochester Contemporary Art Ctr Rochester, NY | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $26,500 |
| University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Pittsburgh, PA | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $25,000 |
| Mental Help Global Spring, TX | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $20,000 |
| Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Pittsburgh, PA | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $10,000 |
| Temple Jeremiah Northfield, IL | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $7,600 |
| Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute Chicago, IL | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $5,000 |
| Ravina Festival Association Highland Park, IL | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $5,000 |
| Team Rubicon Los Angeles, CA | Distributions for Charitable Purposes | $5,000 |
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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 | $3,173,129 | $638,791 | $232,970 | $204,200 | 33 | $204,200 | $630,805 | $172,788 |
| 2024 | $2,767,308 | $446,855 | $144,660 | $124,800 | 28 | $124,800 | $414,369 | $146,834 |
| 2023 | $2,465,113 | $148,947 | $204,657 | $184,770 | 31 | $184,770 | $86,776 | $137,435 |
| 2022 | $2,520,823 | $191,214 | $266,967 | $242,470 | 31 | $192,470 | $188,777 | $144,442 |
| 2021 | $2,596,576 | $433,865 | $232,332 | $212,770 | 29 | $212,770 | $390,125 | $159,877 |
| 2020 | $2,395,043 | $68,494 | $573,903 | $555,700 | 2 | — | $122,902 | $144,302 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Foster Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $173K 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 states that it exists “to provide education, coordination, and access to lawful resources and institutional pathways that support the stability, advancement, and long-term well-being of United States Armed Forces veterans and their families.” Its website says it maintains member programs funded by membership dues and facilitates access to independent third-party services when available.
Its 2025 grants also supported organizations working in varied fields. For example, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust describes its work as presenting performing and visual arts, advancing arts education, and developing Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Team Rubicon describes itself as a veteran-led humanitarian organization serving communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute says it uses psychoanalytic knowledge to help individuals, families, and communities grow and thrive. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Trust reported 33 grants totaling $204,200. Grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median of $2,000. The largest awards included $50,000 to United Jewish Federation – Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, $26,500 to Rochester Contemporary Art Center, $25,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, and $20,000 to Mental Help Global. Each was listed for “distributions for charitable purposes.”
Other 2025 grants included $10,000 each to Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust; $7,600 to Temple Jeremiah; and $5,000 each to Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, Ravinia Festival Association, Team Rubicon, The Stanford Fund for Undergraduate, and University of Chicago Law School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these trustees: Penny Foster, Lee B FosterII, Peter F Mars, Lynn B Foster, Kim Foster Petracca, Craig J Foster, and Alexandra D Mars.
Foster Charitable Trust's 2025 filing lists 7 officers; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alexandra D. Mars
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Craig J. Foster
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kim Foster Petracca
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lee B. Fosterii
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Penny Foster
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Peter F. Mars
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lynn B. Foster
Trustee
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: James R. Foster (2020–2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Foster Charitable Trust
How much does Foster Charitable Trust give each year?
Foster Charitable Trust gave $204K across 33 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $125K across 28 grants.
What is Foster Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Foster Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $6,188, across 33 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Foster Charitable Trust give grants?
Foster Charitable Trust gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (14%) and Illinois (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (7 grants), Chicago, IL (5 grants), Highland Park, IL (5 grants) and Park City, UT (5 grants).
Who are Foster Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Foster Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include United Jewish Federation - Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh ($50,000), Rochester Contemporary Art Ctr ($26,500) and University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Foster Charitable Trust?
Foster Charitable Trust reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $204K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $173K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Foster Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust states that it exists “to provide education, coordination, and access to lawful resources and institutional pathways that support the stability, advancement, and long-term well-being of United States Armed Forces veterans and their families.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Foster Charitable Trust?
The filing says the Trust does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Foster Charitable Trust's EIN?
Foster Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6064791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Foster Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/foster-charitable-trust-morg_49c0c70a105d47cfbcb2d88a19533df0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_256064791_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Foster Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/foster-charitable-trust-morg_49c0c70a105d47cfbcb2d88a19533df0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Foster 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.
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