The Urban Charitable Trust
The Urban Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Needham, Massachusetts. Its 2024 filing reports 49 grants totaling $28,900, generally described as unrestricted support of charitable objectives to benefit people in need.
The Urban Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: The Urban Charitable Trust gave $29K across 49 grants in 2024 (avg $589.796), top state Massachusetts. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $28,900
- -10.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 49
- -16.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $590
- +8.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (3 of 49, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (44% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Urban Charitable Trust
- 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. Because the 2024 filing is marked as final, this is not presented as a current application opportunity.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1106 Webster Street, Needham, MA 02492
Phone: (781) 784-8500
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Urban Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Covenant House ($5K). Together the top 10 received $20K.
Grant Size Distribution
273 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 273 grants of 273 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Massachusetts received 44% of grant dollars, Texas 17%, the District of Columbia 8%, and Michigan and New Hampshire 7% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 49 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Urban Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 3 of 49 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $383; repeat grants $603. How we count
Medians: $500 first-time, $200 repeat.
- 94% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 55% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2022) to $32K (2023). In 2024 it made 49 grants totaling $29K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Covenant House Brighton, MA | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $5,000 |
| Mercy Ships Garden Valley, TX | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $5,000 |
| GBH Educational Fdnralph Lowell Society Boston, MA | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $3,000 |
| Society for Protection of NH Forests Concord, NH | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $1,500 |
| Animal Rescue League Metamora, MI | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $1,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $1,000 |
| Salvation Army Southfield, MI | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $1,000 |
| Society of St Vincent De Paul Braintree, MA | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $1,000 |
| Needham Observer Needham, MA | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $750 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Unrestricted support of charitable objectives, benefit those in need | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing narrative says the $1,157 remaining at year-end was cash intended for final tax preparation and filing fees. It also reports a Bank of America balance of $29,557 less $28,400 in uncleared 2024 charitable donation checks.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | $13 | $30,164 | $28,900 | 49 | $28,900 | $2,297 |
| 2023 | $63,741 | $29 | $33,529 | $32,210 | 59 | $32,210 | $3,511 |
| 2022 | $78,852 | $39 | $15,354 | $14,035 | 54 | $14,035 | $4,072 |
| 2021 | $86,492 | $49 | $19,928 | $18,685 | 59 | $18,685 | $4,623 |
| 2020 | $107,661 | $100,010 | $18,679 | $17,575 | 52 | — | $3,433 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Urban Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The filing does not state a separate mission for the trust. Its 2024 grants included organizations whose own missions address food assistance, poverty, conservation, hunger, and other charitable objectives. For example, the Greater Boston Food Bank describes its work as acquiring, sorting, and distributing food, while FINCA International says it works to end poverty through sustainable solutions shaped by community needs. The Nature Conservancy describes its mission as conserving the lands and waters on which life depends.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the trust reported 49 grants totaling $28,900. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $5,000, with a median of $200. Its largest awards were $5,000 each to Covenant House in Brighton, Massachusetts, and Mercy Ships in Garden Valley, Texas. Other notable grants included $3,000 to GBH Educational Fund/Ralph Lowell Society and $1,500 to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
Other 2024 recipients included the Animal Rescue League ($1,000), Doctors Without Borders ($1,000), the Society of St. Vincent de Paul ($1,000), and the Needham Observer ($750). Among smaller awards, the trust gave $500 to the Greater Boston Food Bank and FINCA International, and $300 to TechnoServe. TechnoServe describes its mission as fighting poverty by helping people build regenerative farms, businesses, and markets that increase incomes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christine D. Urban and Lynn R. Howard as trustees.
The Urban Charitable Trust's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christine D. Urban
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lynn R. Howard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Urban Charitable Trust
How much does The Urban Charitable Trust give each year?
The Urban Charitable Trust gave $29K across 49 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $32K across 59 grants.
What is The Urban Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
The Urban Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $200, and its average grant was $590, across 49 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Urban Charitable Trust that year got $383 on average.
Where does The Urban Charitable Trust give grants?
The Urban Charitable Trust's top state is Massachusetts, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (17%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (10 grants), Washington, DC (10 grants), Arlington, VA (4 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).
Does The Urban Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Urban Charitable Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (49 of 49) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Urban Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
The Urban Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Covenant House ($5,000), Mercy Ships ($5,000) and GBH Educational Fdnralph Lowell Society ($3,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The Urban Charitable Trust fund?
The filing does not state a separate mission for the trust. Its 2024 grants included organizations whose own missions address food assistance, poverty, conservation, hunger, and other charitable objectives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Urban Charitable Trust?
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 Urban Charitable Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Urban Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Urban Charitable Trust's EIN?
The Urban Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2861919. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Urban Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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