Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
The Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. It supports organizations serving people in Erie and Niagara Counties, with particular interest in Buffalo’s Black Rock/Riverside area, and emphasizes services benefiting children and older adults experiencing challenges.
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust gave $415K across 37 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in New York. 57% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $415,300
- +10.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 37
- +15.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,224
- -4.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $3,860,164
- -3.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 57% first-time grantees (21 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
- How to Apply
-
Submit the online Letter of Inquiry with the required materials. The Trust’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states an annual May 31 submission deadline; the 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The filing states an annual May 31 submission deadline; the 2026 deadline has passed.
- Contact
Application contact: Paul And Helen Ellis Charitable Tr
Mailing address: Wwwellistrustwnyorg, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716) 849-1470
Email: info@ellistrustwny.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
Who Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hospice Buffalo ($30K). Together the top 10 received $228K.
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 127 grants of 132 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Trust’s stated focus is organizations serving people in Erie and Niagara Counties, New York, with particular interest in the Black Rock/Riverside area of Buffalo. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in New York State.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
57%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 21 of 37 grantees (57%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 43% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 122% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 $322K (2023) to $415K (2025). In 2025 it made 37 grants totaling $415K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hospice Buffalo Cheektowaga, NY | Capital Campaign | $30,000 |
| Kenmore Mercy Hosptal Foundation Kenmore, NY | Capital Campaign | $25,000 |
| Grassroots Gardens of WNY Buffalo, NY | Support for Program | $25,000 |
| Providence Farm Collective Orchard Park, NY | Various Projects | $25,000 |
| West Side Community Services Buffalo, NY | Support for Social Services Program | $25,000 |
| International Institute of Buffalo Buffalo, NY | Support for Social Services Program | $20,000 |
| Massachusetts Avenue Project Buffalo, NY | Various Projects | $20,000 |
| 5 Loaves Farm Buffalo, NY | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Karen Society of Buffalo Inc Buffalo, NY | General Operating | $20,000 |
| Buffalo Maritime Center Buffalo, NY | Various Projects | $17,500 |
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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 | $3,860,164 | $368,312 | $496,733 | $415,300 | 37 | $415,300 | $124,956 | $341,509 |
| 2024 | $3,991,052 | $269,121 | $446,352 | $375,000 | 32 | $375,000 | $117,439 | $317,511 |
| 2023 | $4,171,868 | $203,486 | $386,093 | $322,000 | 21 | $322,000 | $116,030 | $275,524 |
| 2022 | $4,365,596 | $306,715 | $465,426 | $400,000 | 22 | $400,000 | $91,155 | $282,116 |
| 2021 | $4,523,127 | $161,086 | $427,919 | $366,972 | 20 | $366,972 | $128,649 | $313,615 |
| 2020 | $4,791,140 | $42,014 | $443,252 | $377,540 | 17 | — | $97,534 | $264,004 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $342K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Trust says it invests in organizations providing services to individuals in Erie and Niagara Counties. It gives preference to education programs and work addressing food insecurity and respite care, and also supports beautification of public green space in honor of Helen Ellis.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of community services. West Side Community Services describes its work as promoting Buffalo residents’ stability and well-being through youth development, older-adult engagement, food access, and community events. Providence Farm Collective says it works to build farmer-led, community-rooted food systems and equitable access to food and farmland. The Karen Society of Buffalo describes providing case management and youth programming for immigrants from Burma while preserving and sharing cultural heritage. Massachusetts Avenue Project says it works on equitable community food systems, affordable nutritious food, local economic opportunities, and social-change education. The International Institute of Buffalo describes welcoming, connecting, and empowering immigrants and refugees in Western New York.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Trust reported 37 grants totaling $415,300. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $30,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable awards included $30,000 to Hospice Buffalo for a capital campaign; $25,000 each to Kenmore Mercy Hospital Foundation for a capital campaign, Grassroots Gardens of WNY for program support, Providence Farm Collective for various projects, and West Side Community Services for social-services program support. Other awards included $20,000 to the International Institute of Buffalo, Massachusetts Avenue Project, 5 Loaves Farm, and the Karen Society of Buffalo.
The Trust’s website directs applicants to submit an online Letter of Inquiry and says grant inquiries sent directly to trustees will not be considered. The 2025 filing lists an online submission form, the organization’s most recent Form 990, and its federal 501(c)(3) determination letter as required materials. It restricts awards to tax-exempt organizations in Erie and Niagara Counties, New York, providing community, education, or health-related services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John Bartlo, William R. Pictor, and Mary Ann Aures as trustees.
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Ann Aures
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$4K (2021) → $6K (2025)
William R. Pictor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$4K (2021) → $6K (2025)
John Bartlo
Trustee
On filings since 2023
$5K (2023) → $6K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Noel E. Bartlo (2020–2022) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $6K, to Mary Ann Aures (Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust
How much does Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust give each year?
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust gave $415K across 37 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $375K across 32 grants.
What is Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,224, across 37 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust that year got $12K on average.
Where does Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust give grants?
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (24 grants) and East Aurora, NY (2 grants).
Does Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 38% of Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Various Projects" (5 grants) and "Support for Social Services Program" (3 grants).
Who are Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Hospice Buffalo ($30,000), Kenmore Mercy Hosptal Foundation ($25,000) and Grassroots Gardens of WNY ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust?
Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $415K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $342K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust fund?
The Trust says it invests in organizations providing services to individuals in Erie and Niagara Counties. It gives preference to education programs and work addressing food insecurity and respite care, and also supports beautification of public green space in honor of Helen Ellis. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust?
Submit the online Letter of Inquiry with the required materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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 May 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Paul & Helen Ellis Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/paul-and-helen-ellis-charitable-trust-morg_927ce2deb68844d19cfe806f01dd67ad
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_836584353_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Paul \& Helen Ellis Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/paul-and-helen-ellis-charitable-trust-morg_927ce2deb68844d19cfe806f01dd67ad},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Paul & Helen Ellis 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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