James Burns Trust
James Burns Trust is a private foundation based in Waterbury, Connecticut. Its 2025 filing reports 23 grants totaling $77,500, with the listed grants supporting scholarships at colleges and universities.
James Burns Trust at a glance
In short: James Burns Trust gave $78K across 23 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $77,500
- +10.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 23
- +21.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,370
- -8.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $373,965
- -11.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (62% 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 James Burns Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 123 Bank Street, Waterbury, CT 06702
Phone: (203) 578-2448
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James Burns Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Connecticut ($14K). Together the top 10 received $43K.
Organizations only. It also paid 6 individual scholarships ($20,750), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 64 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 62% of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut, 15% to Massachusetts, 6% each to New York and Pennsylvania, and 5% to Rhode Island. The listed grants also included recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How James Burns Trust gives
- 59% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 812% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 216% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2021) to $78K (2025). In 2025 it made 23 grants totaling $78K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Connecticut Storrs, CT | Scholarship | $13,500 |
| 6 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $20,750 |
| Springfield College Springfield, MA | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| University of Hartford West Hartford, CT | Scholarship | $5,000 |
| University of Connecticut - Hartford Cam Office of the Bursar Hartford, CT | Scholarship | $4,000 |
| Tunxis Community College Farmington, CT | Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT | Scholarship | $2,500 |
| Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CA | Scholarship | $2,500 |
| Shippensburg University Shippensburg, PA | Scholarship | $2,500 |
| Iona University New Rochelle, NY | Scholarship | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with James Burns Trust?
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 | $373,965 | $61,071 | $107,710 | $77,500 | 23 | $80,231 | $50,823 | $37,109 |
| 2024 | $420,717 | $75,032 | $99,190 | $70,250 | 19 | $78,592 | $59,314 | $38,244 |
| 2023 | $445,482 | $47,760 | $69,078 | $52,250 | 17 | $55,059 | $39,059 | $35,306 |
| 2022 | $466,949 | $17,117 | $23,269 | $8,500 | 4 | $11,207 | $8,679 | $36,089 |
| 2021 | $473,157 | $30,740 | $16,147 | $2,500 | 1 | $6,792 | $21,385 | $36,665 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James Burns Trust reported a distributable amount of $37K 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
No mission statement for the Trust is provided. The 2025 grants show support for scholarships at higher-education institutions. Among its grantees, Springfield College describes its mission as educating students in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others; the University of Hartford describes its mission as learning, personal growth, knowledge creation, and the betterment of society. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Trust’s.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Trust gave 23 grants totaling $77,500. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $13,500, with a median of $2,500. Its largest awards included $13,500 to the University of Connecticut, $7,500 to an individual recipient State University, $5,500 to an individual recipient State University, and $5,000 each to Springfield College and the University of Hartford. Each of these grants was designated for scholarships.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
James Burns Trust's only listed officer is Webster Bank NA, Trustee on every filing since 2021 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Webster Bank NA
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$5K (2021) → $9K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $9K, to Webster Bank (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about James Burns Trust
How much does James Burns Trust give each year?
James Burns Trust gave $78K across 23 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $70K across 19 grants.
What is James Burns Trust's typical grant size?
James Burns Trust's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $3,370, across 23 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does James Burns Trust give grants?
James Burns Trust gives mostly in Connecticut: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (15%) and New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Springfield, MA (2 grants) and Hartford, CT (2 grants).
Does James Burns Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on James Burns Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (23 grants).
Who are James Burns Trust's largest grantees?
James Burns Trust's largest 2025 grantees include University of Connecticut ($13,500), Springfield College ($5,000) and University of Hartford ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 6 individual scholarships ($20,750), which are not listed by name. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is James Burns Trust?
James Burns Trust reported $374K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $80K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $37K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does James Burns Trust fund?
No mission statement for the Trust is provided. The 2025 grants show support for scholarships at higher-education institutions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James Burns Trust?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James Burns Trust's EIN?
James Burns Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-6199399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does James Burns Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James Burns Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Connecticut
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Hartford, CT
The Greater Hartford Gives Foundation funds nonprofits, agencies, and scholarships, with priorities including equity, social and economic mobility, community wellbeing, civic engagement, and arts and culture. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $21,600, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to $2.48 million, and it primarily serves 29 towns in Greater Hartford. It offers annual, priority-aligned grant opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
613
Total Given
$52.0M
Ernst & Young Foundation
New York, NY
Ernst & Young Foundation supports higher education through employee and partner matching gifts, as well as educational and special-project grants, including research, education forums, and programs that expand educational opportunity. In 2025, it made 637 grants ranging from $5,056 to $316,005, with a median of $13,525, to recipients across multiple states; the largest shares went to New York, Texas, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$47.6M
Grants
637
Total Given
$16.7M
The Sudbury Foundation
Sudbury, MA
The Sudbury Foundation funds youth and family services, local food and sustainable agriculture, community needs, equity and inclusion, and projects benefiting Sudbury residents and nearby communities. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,083 to $100,000, with a median of $6,000. Application rules vary by program: Community grants are by invitation only, and the profile does not state a general policy on unsolicited requests.
Assets
$36.9M
Grants
137
Total Given
$1.9M
Folds of Honor Foundation
Owasso, OK
Folds of Honor funds education scholarships for spouses and children of U.S. military service members and first responders killed or disabled in service, with awards available for K–12 and higher education in the United States and its territories. Awards are up to $5,000 per academic year, based on unmet need, and are paid directly to the school. It accepts scholarship applications through an online portal during its annual application window; it does not make grants to outside applicants.
Assets
$122.3M
Grants
1,551
Total Given
$37.6M
Americares Foundation Inc
Stamford, CT
Americares funds health care organizations and programs focused on disaster preparedness and recovery, access to medicines and medical supplies, and community health services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,073 to $3.86 million, with a median of about $58,700; it works in the United States and internationally, reaching an average of 80 countries each year. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$372.5M
Grants
635
Total Given
$113.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Connecticut
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James Burns Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-burns-trust-morg_a54903ea0f3b48b6881f7c5002213aa8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_066199399_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James Burns Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-burns-trust-morg_a54903ea0f3b48b6881f7c5002213aa8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 James Burns 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.
James Burns Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?