The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations
THE ALLEN H AND SELMA W BERKMAN is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2023 filing reports five unrestricted grants totaling $633,000 to charitable funds and programs in Rhode Island, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations at a glance
In short: The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations gave $633K across 5 grants in 2023 (avg $127K), mostly in Rhode Island. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $633,000
- -95.6% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 5
- +0.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $126,600
- -95.6% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $126,600
- Primary geography
- Rhode Island (60% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations
- 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. This policy is reported in a filing marked final and should not be taken as a current application instruction.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2 Liberty St 500, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 426-7080
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Fidelity Charitable - the Bridgewater Fund ($127K). Together the top 5 received $633K.
Grant Size Distribution
166 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 141 grants of 166 (85%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2023 grants were distributed to recipients in Rhode Island (60% of grant dollars), Ohio (20%), and Pennsylvania (20%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations gives
- Giving fell 37% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $633K (2023) to $14.5M (2022). In 2023 it made 5 grants totaling $633K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Charitable - the Bridgewater Fund Cincinnati, OH | Unrestricted | $126,600 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh - Alan & Barbara Ackerman Family FD Pittsburgh, PA | Unrestricted | $126,600 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program - McKey & J Berkman Family Char FD Warwick, RI | Unrestricted | $126,600 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program Berkman Family Charitable FD Warwick, RI | Unrestricted | $126,600 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowmnet Program - the Rahm Family DAF Fund Warwick, RI | Unrestricted | $126,600 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2022 filing states that the trust has no contribution income.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $17,287 | $754,443 | $633,000 | 5 | $754,443 | $8,287 | $10,970 |
| 2022 | $738,750 | $104,320 | $14,658,713 | $14,500,000 | 5 | $14,601,225 | $160,832 | $760,917 |
| 2021 | $18,464,315 | $3,071,056 | $1,140,095 | $950,000 | 52 | — | $2,987,156 | $873,142 |
| 2020 | $16,336,053 | $770,269 | $1,099,316 | $999,660 | 59 | — | $701,799 | $803,042 |
| 2019 | $16,294,968 | $884,833 | $921,945 | $749,550 | 45 | — | $817,795 | $791,957 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations reported a distributable amount of $11K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported five grants of $126,600 each, totaling $633,000. Recipients included Fidelity Charitable – The Bridgewater Fund in Cincinnati, Ohio; the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh – Alan & Barbara Ackerman Family Fund in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and three charitable funds administered through Vanguard Charitable in Warwick, Rhode Island. Each grant was listed as unrestricted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists these trustees: Helen Berkman Habbert, James S Berkman, Susan Berkman Rahm, Richard Berkman, Barbara Berkman Ackerman, Alan Ackerman Jr, Daniel A Berkman, RT Winston Berkman-Breen, William Rahm, and Julie Habbert.
The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's 2023 filing lists 10 officers; none of the 10 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Alan Ackerman Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Berkman Ackerman
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel A. Berkman
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helen Berkman Habbert
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James S. Berkman
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Habbert
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Berkman
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rt Winston Berkman-Breen
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Berkman Rahm
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Rahm
Trustee
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations
How much does The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations give each year?
The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations gave $633K across 5 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $14.5M across 5 grants.
What is The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's typical grant size?
The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's median grant in 2023 was $126,600, and its average grant was $126,600, across 5 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations give grants?
The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations gives mostly in Rhode Island: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Ohio (20%) and Pennsylvania (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Warwick, RI (3 grants).
Does The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's largest grantees?
The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's largest 2023 grantees include Fidelity Charitable - the Bridgewater Fund ($126,600), Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh - Alan & Barbara Ackerman Family FD ($126,600) and Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program - McKey & J Berkman Family Char FD ($126,600), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How do I apply for a grant from The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations?
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 ↑
How much is The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations reported a distributable amount of $11K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's EIN?
The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 25-6144060. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Does The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 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 2019 (received by the IRS March 6, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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Figures come from The Allen H and Selma W Berkman Charitable Trust C/O GMA Foundations'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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