The Pew Charitable Trusts
The Pew Charitable Trusts is an independent nonprofit organization founded in 1948. It operates as a global research and public policy organization dedicated to serving the public interest through rigorous analysis, data-driven research, and practical solutions to pressing challenges. The organization is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with significant operations in Washington, D.C.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4B
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$138.9M
+0.4% YoY
Grant Count
391
-2.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$355K
+3.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious strategies that lead to tangible progress. The organization's mission is to:
- Improve public policy by conducting rigorous analysis, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause, and insisting on tangible results
- Inform the public by providing useful data that illuminates the issues and trends shaping our world
- Invigorate civic life by encouraging democratic participation and strong communities, particularly in Philadelphia
Core Values:
- Equity: Recognizing and addressing systemic inequities through mutual respect and affirming individual differences
- Humility: Acknowledging that creating change requires the capacity and knowledge of colleagues and partners; listening and fostering understanding
- Impact: Applying efforts where there is the greatest potential to make a difference and measuring progress for high return on investment
Program Areas: Pew operates projects and conducts research across five main areas:
- Communities
- Conservation
- Finance and Economy
- Governing
- Health
The organization also operates the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan public polling and think tank subsidiary based in Washington, D.C., which conducts impartial, fact-based public-opinion polling and other research tools to track important issues and trends.
Grantmaking
According to its June 2024 tax filing, Pew operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
Grant Range
** $52,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Pew maintains a particular commitment to Philadelphia, its hometown, where it supports organizations that create a thriving arts and culture community and institutions that enhance the well-being of the region's neediest citizens. The organization also supports national initiatives encouraging civic participation and operates globally on conservation, policy, and research initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Financial Overview (2024):
- Total Assets: $1.35 billion
- Total Revenue: $409 million
- Total Expenses: $380 million
- Total Liabilities: $339 million
- Endowment: $6.7 billion
- Giving Rate: 13.2% of assets
Staffing:
- Total Staff: 969 (with 907 employees reported in 2024)
Tax Status:
- EIN: 56-2307147
- 501(c)(3) Organization: Yes
- Tax-Exempt Since: April 2003
- IRS Ruling Year: 2003
Additional Financial Details:
- Annual Budget: $374 million
- The organization provided first-class or charter travel to key employees or officers, as reported in its June 2024 tax filing
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,350,161,416 | $1,291,194,460 | $1,234,434,483 |
| Revenue | $408,893,947 | $415,231,323 | $341,410,426 |
| Expenses | $380,100,942 | $361,371,516 | $376,487,152 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $38,820,437 | $34,966,437 | $26,293,425 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from The Pew Charitable Trusts
Pew Biomedical Scholars Grant
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Amount
US $75,000 - US $300,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Pew Center for Arts & Heritage: Capacity Building Grants - Research and Travel Grants
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Amount
US $2,000 - US $4,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Pew Center for Arts & Heritage: Capacity Building Grants- Technical Assistance grants
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Amount
US $500 - US $1,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bipartisan Policy Center Inc ($6,438,510), Conservation International Foundation ($3,525,513), Bryn Mawr College ($1,300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| After School Activities Partnerships Philadelphia, PA | Civic Life | $20,000 |
| Alaska Conservation Foundation Anchorage, AK | Policy | $20,000 |
| American Rivers Washington, DC | Policy | $80,000 |
| American Whitewater Cullowhee, NC | Policy | $76,500 |
| Amigos Bravos Inc Taos, NM | Policy | $13,971 |
| Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition Washington, DC | Policy | $414,026 |
| Arizona Wildlife Federation Mesa, AZ | Policy | $29,808 |
| Association of Clinicians for the Underserved McLean, VA | Policy | $37,000 |
| Association of Village Council President Bethel, AK | Policy | $70,000 |
| Attic Youth Center Philadelphia, PA | Civic Life | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Chair: Christopher Jones
- President and CEO: Susan K. Urahn
- Board of Directors: 11 members
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susan K Urahn | President and CEO | 49 | $1,185,982 |
| Christopher Jones | Director and Board Chair | 3 | — |
| Henry P Becton Jr | Director | 3 | — |
| Robert H Campbell | Director | 3 | — |
| Susan W Catherwood | Director | 3 | — |
| Raynard Kington MD | Director | 3 | — |
| J Howard Pew II | Director | 3 | — |
| Joseph N Pew V | Director | 3 | — |
| Mary Catharine Pew MD | Director | 3 | — |
| Sandy Ford Pew | Director | 3 | — |
| Willa Seldon | Director | 3 | — |
| Ralph Leslie | EVP, COO and CFO | 50 | $584,494 |
| R James G McMillan | SVP, General Counsel/Corp Secretary | 48 | $552,948 |
| Sarah Senno | VP, Finance and Treasurer | 49.5 | $282,392 |
| Melissa Skolfield | EVP, External Affairs | 49.5 | $545,735 |
| Michael Caudell-Feagan | EVP, Chief Program Officer | 50 | $561,999 |
| Tamera Luzzatto | SVP, Gov't Relations (end 6/23) | 50 | $556,782 |
| Priya Bery | SVP, Partnerships | 49 | $500,984 |
| Thomas Dillon | SVP, Environment | 50 | $456,071 |
| Lester Baxter | SVP, Strategy | 50 | $350,308 |
| Kil Huh | SVP, Government Performance | 50 | $347,470 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In February 2026, Pew awarded $9.1 million for food security, health, community safety, and economic advancement in Philadelphia, demonstrating the organization's continued commitment to its hometown community.
Pew Awards $9.1M for Food Security, Health, Community ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Pew Charitable Trusts fund?
**Mission Statement:** Pew addresses the challenges of a changing world by illuminating issues, creating common ground, and advancing ambitious strategies that lead to tangible progress. The organization's mission is to: • Improve public policy by conducting rigorous analysis, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause, and insisting on tangible results • Inform the public by providing useful data that illuminates the issues and trends shaping our world • Invigorate civic life by encourag…
How do I apply for a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts?
**Grant Activity:** • **Total Giving (2023):** $162.9 million • **Number of Grants (2023):** 407 grants • **Median Grant Size:** $52,000 • **Grant Range:** $5,000 to $38.0 million • **Application Policy:** Accepts applications **Recent Grant Recipients (2022):** • Pew Research Center: $38.0 million • Middlebury College: $25.0 million • University of The Arts: $13.7 million • 10000 Degrees: $7.9 million • New Venture Fund: $5.3 million • Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival Inc: $4.0 million • Ben…
Where does The Pew Charitable Trusts make grants?
Pew maintains a particular commitment to Philadelphia, its hometown, where it supports organizations that create a thriving arts and culture community and institutions that enhance the well-being of the region's neediest citizens. The organization also supports national initiatives encouraging civic participation and operates globally on conservation, policy, and research initiatives.
What size grants does The Pew Charitable Trusts award?
In 2024, The Pew Charitable Trusts awarded 391 grants totaling $138.9M — an average of about $355K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Pew Charitable Trusts's EIN?
The Pew Charitable Trusts's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2307147. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Pew Charitable Trusts'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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