Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust
The Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust is a private foundation based in San Diego, California. Established in 1988 under James Hervey Johnson’s will, it makes annual grants to organizations whose activities align with his interests in reason over religion and natural health.
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust at a glance
In short: Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust gave $629K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $35K), top state New York. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $628,974
- +190.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,943
- +126.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $8,044,575
- +5.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- New York (40% 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 Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The trust’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It lists an online grant application and states that award restrictions are N/A.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists July 31. That filing’s application cycle is past.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists July 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Mark Munnelly Trustee
Mailing address: PO Box 16160, San Diego, CA 92176
Phone: (619) 275-4313
Website: http://jamesherveyjohnson.com/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Center for Inquiry International ($180K). Together the top 10 received $548K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 61 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants went to recipients in several states. By grant dollars, recipients in New York received 40%, California 34%, Ohio 12%, Wisconsin 6%, and Florida 5%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
How Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust gives
- 61% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 148% 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 $72K (2021) to $629K (2025). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $629K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Inquiry International Amherst, NY | General Purposes | $180,000 |
| San Diego State University San Diego, CA | General Purposes | $85,000 |
| National Health Association Youngstown, OH | General Purposes | $40,000 |
| Atheists United Los Angeles, CA | General Purpose | $40,000 |
| Thomas Paine National Historical As New Rochelle, NY | General Purposes | $37,500 |
| Camp Quest Inc Columbus, OH | General Purposes | $35,000 |
| Plant Powered Metro New York New York, NY | General Purpose | $35,000 |
| Thomas Paine Memorial Association Madison, WI | General Purpose | $35,000 |
| Prader-Willi Syndrome Association Sarasota, FL | General Purposes | $30,000 |
| True North Health FDN Santa Rosa, CA | General Purpose | $30,000 |
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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 | $8,044,575 | $1,371,914 | $986,009 | $628,974 | 18 | $767,128 | $1,153,033 | $518,330 |
| 2024 | $7,658,666 | $1,058,544 | $537,667 | $216,500 | 14 | $348,312 | $872,889 | $431,389 |
| 2023 | $6,940,724 | $693,147 | $520,545 | $209,400 | 14 | $346,881 | $513,683 | $437,356 |
| 2021 | $7,026,393 | $683,731 | $435,929 | $72,000 | 2 | — | $478,212 | $447,872 |
| 2020 | $6,778,592 | $2,506,547 | $545,623 | $147,000 | 13 | — | $2,283,715 | $389,232 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust reported a distributable amount of $518K 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’s website says its purpose is to continue Johnson’s efforts to challenge religion as opposed to reason and promote his views on natural health. It describes support for atheist and secular organizations, natural health groups, plant-based diet initiatives, and activities such as publishing The Truth Seeker and promoting the life and beliefs of Thomas Paine.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of supported work. The National Health Association says it provides educational materials, events, and services. Plant Powered Metro New York says it works with diverse communities to advance health and address chronic disease through whole-food, plant-based nutrition. American Atheists says it works for atheists’ civil liberties and separation of government and religion. Mama’s Kitchen says it provides nutritious food to people and families vulnerable to malnutrition due to critical illness.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the trust reported 18 grants totaling $628,974. Grants ranged from $4,600 to $180,000, with a median grant of $30,000.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $180,000 to Center for Inquiry International, $85,000 to San Diego State University, $40,000 to the National Health Association, and $40,000 to Atheists United. Other notable awards included $37,500 to the Thomas Paine National Historical Association, $35,000 each to Camp Quest, Plant Powered Metro New York, and the Thomas Paine Memorial Association, and $30,000 each to the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association and True North Health Foundation. American Atheists received $10,000 and Mama’s Kitchen received $6,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark Munnelly and Kevin V. Munnelly as co-trustees.
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kevin V Munnelly
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Mark Munnelly
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
$101K (2020) → $128K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $128K, to Mark Munnelly (Co-Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust
How much does Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust give each year?
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust gave $629K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $217K across 14 grants.
What is Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's typical grant size?
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $34,943, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust give grants?
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's top state is New York, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (34%) and Ohio (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (4 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (2 grants).
Does Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's largest grantees?
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Center for Inquiry International ($180,000), San Diego State University ($85,000) and National Health Association ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust?
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust reported $8.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $767K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $518K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust fund?
The trust’s website says its purpose is to continue Johnson’s efforts to challenge religion as opposed to reason and promote his views on natural health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust?
The trust’s 2024 filing 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 Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's EIN?
Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-6081439. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Johnson James Hervey Char Ed 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/johnson-james-hervey-char-ed-trust-morg_0f0b662986ed48cbb903dd2404dc99ba
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_336081439_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Johnson James Hervey Char Ed Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/johnson-james-hervey-char-ed-trust-morg_0f0b662986ed48cbb903dd2404dc99ba},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Johnson James Hervey Char Ed 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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