Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
The Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust is a private independent foundation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, established in Buffalo, New York. The Trust was created by Helen Ellis following the death of her husband Paul to provide funding for causes important to them. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization serving the Western New York region.
Key facts about Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
- EIN
- 83-6584353
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $375,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 32
- Average grant
- $11,719
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (16 of 32, 2024)
- Total assets
- $3,991,052
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's 32 itemized 2024 grants were New York (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (19 grants), Grand Island, NY (3 grants), Kenmore, NY (2 grants) and East Aurora, NY (2 grants). 44% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Expansion" (3 grants).
Is Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 32 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $7K repeat.
- 41% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 118% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
- How to evaluate Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.0M
-4.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$375K
+16.5% YoY
Grant Count
32
+52.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-23.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $318K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust invests in organizations that provide services to individuals in Niagara and Erie Counties, New York, with particular interest in the Black Rock/Riverside area. The foundation especially seeks to improve the lives of children and senior adults experiencing challenges.
Funding Priorities:
- Education programs
- Food insecurity initiatives
- Respite care services
- Beautification of public green space (in honor of founder Helen Ellis)
Legacy Organizations: The Trust identified three organizations for ongoing support: Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, and Hospice Buffalo.
Grantmaking
Applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry through the Trust's online form. Grant inquiries directed to trustee email addresses will not be considered.
Ready to take the next step with Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust focuses on Niagara and Erie Counties in New York State, with particular emphasis on the Black Rock/Riverside neighborhood in north Buffalo.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 32 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $3.99 million
- Total Liabilities: $12
- Revenue: $269,000
- Expenses: $446,000
Historical Assets: The Trust reported assets of $6 million in earlier documentation.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,991,052 | $4,171,868 | $4,365,596 |
| Revenue | $269,121 | $203,486 | $306,715 |
| Expenses | $446,352 | $386,093 | $465,426 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $375,000 | $322,000 | $400,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $117,439 | $116,030 | $91,155 |
| Distributable Amount | $317,511 | $275,524 | $282,116 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
112 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Foundation for Jewish Philanthropie ($59,000), Epic ($30,000), Hospice Buffalo ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPIE Getzville, NY | CHARITABLE FUND DONATION | $59,000 |
| EPIC Buffalo, NY | PROGRAM EXPANSION | $30,000 |
| HOSPICE BUFFALO Cheektowaga, NY | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $30,000 |
| BISON CHILDREN FUND Buffalo, NY | SCHOLARSHIPS | $25,000 |
| KENMORE MERCY HOSPTAL FOUNDATION Kenmore, NY | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $25,000 |
| WEDI Buffalo, NY | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS | $25,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB Buffalo, NY | AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| SABAH Buffalo, NY | PROGRAM EXPANSION | $20,000 |
| VIA Buffalo, NY | HVAC PURCHASE | $20,000 |
| SENECA STREET CDC Buffalo, NY | VARIOUSL PROGRAMS | $16,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustees:
- Mary Ann Aures
- John Bartlo
- William Pictor
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Bartlo | Trustee | 1 | $5,873 |
| William R Pictor | Trustee | 1 | $5,873 |
| Mary Ann Aures | Trustee | 1 | $5,873 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust invests in organizations that provide services to individuals in Niagara and Erie Counties, New York, with particular interest in the Black Rock/Riverside area. The foundation especially seeks to improve the lives of children and senior adults experiencing challenges. **Funding Priorities:** • Education programs • Food insecurity initiatives • Respite care services • Beautification of public green space (in honor of founder Helen Ellis) **Legacy Organizations:** The Trust identified t…
How do I apply for a grant from Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust?
Applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry through the Trust's online form. Grant inquiries directed to trustee email addresses will not be considered. **Grant Activity:** • Approximately $280,000 distributed annually to eligible organizations in Erie County • Total giving reported at $375,000 (based on 2024 Form 990 filing)
Where does Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust make grants?
The Trust focuses on Niagara and Erie Counties in New York State, with particular emphasis on the Black Rock/Riverside neighborhood in north Buffalo.
What size grants does Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust award?
In 2024, Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust awarded 32 grants totaling $375K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $318K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's EIN?
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-6584353. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.