The Murray Charitable Trust
The Murray Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. In 2025, it reported 75 grants totaling $20,545, with 89% of grant dollars going to recipients in Maine.
The Murray Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: The Murray Charitable Trust gave $21K across 75 grants in 2025 (avg $273.933), mostly in Maine. 37% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $20,545
- +78.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 75
- +10.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $274
- +62.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $150
- Total assets
- $127,596
- +23.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (28 of 75, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maine (89% 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 The Murray Charitable Trust
- How to Apply
-
The 2025 filing says to contact Peter L Murray by letter. It states there are no deadlines and no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Peter L Murray
Mailing address: 104 North Street, Portland, ME 04101
Phone: (207) 409-3179
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Murray Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Williston Immmanuel United Church ($4K). Together the top 10 received $10K.
Grant Size Distribution
352 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 352 grants of 352 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 89% of grant dollars went to Maine recipients. The remaining reported shares were Massachusetts, 4%; Maryland, 1%; Pennsylvania, 1%; and California, 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Murray Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 28 of 75 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $353; repeat grants $227. How we count
Medians: $188 first-time, $150 repeat.
- 37% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 34% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 741% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2021) to $21K (2025). In 2025 it made 75 grants totaling $21K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Williston Immmanuel United Church Portland, ME | general | $3,860 |
| Maine Public Broadcasting Portland, ME | general | $1,800 |
| Scholarships for Maine Immigrants Portland, ME | general | $1,000 |
| Immigrand Legal Advocacy Project Portland, ME | general purposes | $800 |
| Milestone Foundation Portland, ME | general purposes | $700 |
| University of Southern Maine Portland, ME | general | $500 |
| Maine Gun Safety Coalition Portland, ME | general | $500 |
| Tree of Life Gospel Church Portland, ME | general | $450 |
| Maine Society for the Protection of Windham, ME | general | $450 |
| Maine Monitor Hallowell, ME | general | $400 |
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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 | $127,596 | $43,266 | $20,545 | $20,545 | 75 | $20,545 | $13,266 | — |
| 2024 | $103,136 | $55,055 | $11,488 | $11,488 | 68 | $11,488 | — | — |
| 2023 | $66,604 | $35,791 | $16,092 | $16,092 | 77 | $16,092 | $5,791 | $2,172 |
| 2022 | $37,878 | $22,896 | $15,280 | $15,280 | 75 | $15,280 | $341 | — |
| 2021 | $17,808 | $30,859 | $7,841 | $6,940 | 57 | $6,940 | $114 | $1,098 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as public broadcasting, historical preservation, social services, legal aid, health, trails, and the arts. For example, Maine Public Broadcasting Corporation says it connects people in Maine through information, ideas, and cultural content; Maine Historical Society says its mission is to preserve and share Maine’s story; and Hope Acts says it assists asylum seekers with housing, immigration processes, and English learning.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the trust made 75 grants totaling $20,545. Grant amounts ranged from $45 to $3,860, with a median grant of $150. Among the largest grants listed were $3,860 to Williston Immmanuel United Church, $1,800 to Maine Public Broadcasting, $1,000 to Scholarships for Maine Immigrants, $800 to Immigrand Legal Advocacy Project, and $700 to Milestone Foundation. Other listed grants included $500 each to the University of Southern Maine and Maine Gun Safety Coalition.
The trust also gave $325 to Maine Historical Society, $300 each to United Way Inc and Partners for World Health, $250 to Maine Justice Foundation, and $200 each to Portland Trails, Hope Acts, and Opera Maine. Partners for World Health describes its work as collecting and redistributing unused medical supplies, organizing medical missions, and educating people about global health issues. Portland Trails describes its work as expanding and enhancing the regional trail network.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Peter L Murray and Deborah D Murray as trustees.
The Murray Charitable Trust's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Deborah D Murray
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter L Murray
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Murray Charitable Trust
How much does The Murray Charitable Trust give each year?
The Murray Charitable Trust gave $21K across 75 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $11K across 68 grants.
What is The Murray Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
The Murray Charitable Trust's median grant in 2025 was $150, and its average grant was $274, across 75 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Murray Charitable Trust that year got $353 on average.
Where does The Murray Charitable Trust give grants?
The Murray Charitable Trust gives mostly in Maine: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, ME (42 grants), Augusta, ME (3 grants), Boston, MA (3 grants) and Falmouth, ME (3 grants).
Does The Murray Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Murray Charitable Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (75 of 75) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Murray Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
The Murray Charitable Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Williston Immmanuel United Church ($3,860), Maine Public Broadcasting ($1,800) and Scholarships for Maine Immigrants ($1,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Murray Charitable Trust?
The Murray Charitable Trust reported $128K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $43K.
What does The Murray Charitable Trust fund?
No mission statement for the trust is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as public broadcasting, historical preservation, social services, legal aid, health, trails, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Murray Charitable Trust?
The 2025 filing says to contact Peter L Murray by letter. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Murray Charitable Trust's EIN?
The Murray Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-6644211. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 28, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Live grants for the work The Murray Charitable Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Murray Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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