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.
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.
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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
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 |
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 include Foundation for Jewish Philanthropie ($59,000), Epic ($30,000), Hospice Buffalo ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BISON CHILDREN FUND BUFFALO, NY | SCHOLARSHIPS | $25,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BUFFALO, NY | AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BRRALLIANCE BUFFALO, NY | VARIOUS PROJECTS | $15,000 |
| BUFFALO MARITIME CENTER BUFFALO, NY | VARIOUS PROJECTS | $8,500 |
| BUFFALO-NIAGARA HONOR FLIGHTS CLARENCE, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $2,500 |
| COMMUNITY REHAB PROJECT VERNON, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $2,000 |
| EPIC BUFFALO, NY | PROGRAM EXPANSION | $30,000 |
| FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER BUFFALO, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $1,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH PHILANTHROPIE GETZVILLE, NY | CHARITABLE FUND DONATION | $59,000 |
| GRAND ISLAND CATHOLIC CLUB GRAND ISLAND, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $2,500 |
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 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 June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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