The Pew Charitable Trusts

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Pew Charitable Trusts operates primarily through proactive, closed grantmaking and does NOT accept unsolicited proposals except for very specific programs (Philadelphia-area initiatives and fellowship programs). Most organizations cannot apply directly to Pew for funding.

EIN DISCREPANCY: Research indicates The Pew Charitable Trusts' official EIN is 56-2307147 (confirmed via IRS filings and GuideStar), which differs from the EIN 13-2655122 provided. This should be verified before proceeding.

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $142 million (2019)
Total Assets: $6.7 billion (2019)
Decision Time: Varies by program; invitation-only for most programs
Grant Range: $5,000 - several million
Geographic Focus: National and international, with specific Philadelphia programs
Application Type: Primarily proactive/closed (invitation only)

Contact Details

Main Office: One Commerce Square 2005 Market Street, Suite 2800 Philadelphia, PA 19103-7077

Phone: 215-575-9050 Email: info@pewtrusts.org Website: www.pewtrusts.org

Washington, D.C. Office: 901 E Street NW Washington, DC 20004 Phone: 202-552-2000

Overview

The Pew Charitable Trusts, founded in 1948 and celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023, is an independent nonprofit organization serving as the sole beneficiary of seven individual charitable trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew. With assets exceeding $6.7 billion and annual grant distributions of approximately $142 million, Pew operates under the guiding principle that it is "driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems."

Under the leadership of President and CEO Susan K. Urahn, Ph.D., who assumed the role in July 2020 after more than 30 years with the organization, Pew has evolved from its early anonymous grantmaking focused on cancer research and historically Black colleges to become a major force in public policy research and advocacy. The organization uniquely functions both as a grantmaker and as a recipient of grants from other foundations. Pew earned a Four-Star rating (100%) from Charity Navigator, reflecting its commitment to transparency and effectiveness. The organization's work spans biomedical research, environmental conservation, state fiscal policy, and civic engagement, with a distinctive approach that emphasizes rigorous research, data-driven analysis, and strategic policy interventions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

CRITICAL NOTE: The majority of Pew's grantmaking is highly selective, proactive, and closed to unsolicited queries or submissions. Organizations cannot typically apply directly for funding.

Pew Biomedical Scholars Program

Amount: $300,000 over four years ($75,000 per year)
Eligibility: Assistant professors with independent labs appointed within specific timeframe; must be nominated by participating institutions
Application: Institutional nomination required; individuals cannot apply directly
Limit: Maximum two applications per candidate
Requirements: 80% time commitment to research; PhD in biomedical sciences or related field
Restrictions: No more than $50,000 for PI salary over grant duration; maximum 8% for indirect costs
Note: Does not fund clinical trials or public health projects

Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation

Amount: $150,000 over three years
Selection: International committee review following rigorous nomination process
Focus: Midcareer scientists pursuing marine conservation research
Impact: 208 fellows from 40+ countries since program inception

Philadelphia Programs - Pew Fund for Health and Human Services

Amount: Growth grants of $3.5-$8 million for major initiatives; venture grants for pilot programs
Total Impact: $220+ million awarded to 320+ organizations over 25 years
Geography: Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery)
Process: Staff identifies organizations and invites participation; rolling basis
Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations serving vulnerable populations
Focus: Economic opportunities, community violence, public benefits access, maternal/infant health, LGBTQ+ youth services

Pew Center for Arts & Heritage (separate entity)

Creative Project Grants: Require initial inquiry form; invitation-only full applications
Eligibility: Organizations with minimum $150,000 annual budget offering year-round programming
Restrictions: Does not fund one-time annual events or festivals
Contact: apply@pewcenterarts.org

Priority Areas

Environment

Ocean and marine conservation, including creation of marine reserves
Ending illegal fishing
Protection of key species (sharks, tuna, forage fish, penguins)
Public lands and rivers conservation
Clean energy and grid modernization, including distributed energy resources (DERs)
Climate resilience funding and financing strategies across all 50 states

Health and Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical research investigating human health
Antibiotic resistance research and policy (project concluded 2024)
Maternal and infant health for low-income families
Public health policy

State Policy and Fiscal Health

State budget reserves and rainy day funds
Public sector retirement systems (50-state pension research)
Tax incentives analysis
State debt management
Local fiscal health and municipal financial assessment
Civil legal system modernization
Justice and public safety reform

Democracy and Civic Engagement

Election administration research
Political polarization and civic discourse
Consumer finance and economic policy
Student loan policy

Philadelphia Civic Initiatives

Health and human services for vulnerable populations
Arts and culture
Civic infrastructure and policy

What They Don't Fund

General: Unsolicited proposals (except specific Philadelphia and fellowship programs)
Biomedical Program: Clinical trials research, public health projects
Arts Programs: One-time annual programs, events, or festivals; organizations without year-round programming
Geographic: Limited international work outside specific projects; no applications accepted for international projects
Conflict of Interest: Current Pew employees, their household members, or close relatives cannot receive grants

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO Susan K. Urahn, Ph.D., has served as president and CEO since July 1, 2020, after more than 30 years at Pew with progressively increasing leadership responsibilities. Former President Rebecca Rimel described Urahn as "an intellectually curious and strategic leader who has conceptualized and managed a large portfolio of projects that have successfully improved public policy and the lives of the public."

In interviews, Urahn has emphasized Pew's commitment to using data to inform policy decisions and bridge political polarization. She has stated that the organization finds common ground to forge meaningful change by focusing on rigorous research and evidence-based solutions.

Executive Leadership

Michael Caudell-Feagan: Executive Vice President for Programmatic Initiatives and Chief Program Officer
Ralph Leslie: Executive Vice President for Operations, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer
Roger-Mark De Souza: Vice President of Environmental Policy Programs (appointed November 2024)

Board of Directors The 11-member board includes four members of the Pew family, maintaining the founding family's oversight and values. In November 2024, Pew announced two new board appointments:

Clayton Rose: Baker Foundation Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School, chair of Howard Hughes Medical Institute board, former president of Bowdoin College (2015-2023)
David Williams: Distinguished corporate leader with 40+ years in professional services, worked at Deloitte from 2002-2024

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

MOST PROGRAMS: NO UNSOLICITED APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED

The vast majority of Pew's grantmaking is invitation-only. Pew proactively identifies potential grantees and invites them to participate.

Philadelphia Health and Human Services Fund:

Pew Fund staff identify organizations on a rolling basis
Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and serve Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and/or Philadelphia counties
Invited organizations participate in rigorous review process
Initial approach: Submit brief letter of inquiry if invited

Fellowship Programs (Biomedical Scholars, Marine Fellows):

Require institutional nomination from participating universities/research institutions
Individuals cannot apply directly
Internal institutional deadlines typically precede Pew deadlines
Competitive internal selection process at nominating institutions

Pew Center for Arts & Heritage:

Initial inquiry form required (deadlines vary by grant cycle)
Full applications by invitation only
Contact: apply@pewcenterarts.org

Decision Timeline

Biomedical Scholars Program:

Internal institutional deadlines: typically February-March
Pew application deadline: typically late spring
Review by international scientific committee
Awards announced: typically fall
Total timeline: 6-9 months from institutional nomination to award announcement

Marine Fellows Program:

Annual nomination and review cycle
International committee review
Rigorous multi-stage evaluation
Timeline: Several months from nomination to announcement

Philadelphia Programs:

Rolling identification and invitation process
Varies significantly based on program and grant size
Growth grants undergo extensive due diligence given large award amounts

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, given the invitation-only nature of most programs and institutional nomination requirements, competition is extremely high among pre-selected candidates.

For Biomedical Scholars: Each participating institution may nominate only one candidate annually, creating intense internal competition before Pew-level review.

Reapplication Policy

Biomedical Scholars Program: Candidates may apply a maximum of two times. If applicants have appointments at more than one eligible institution, they may not reapply from a different institution in subsequent years. Same candidate cannot be nominated to both Pew Scholars and Pew-Stewart programs in the same year.

Other Programs: Reapplication policies vary by program. Organizations should consult with Pew staff if invited to apply.

Application Success Factors

CRITICAL UNDERSTANDING: For most grant seekers, the primary challenge is not application quality but gaining access to apply. Pew's closed grantmaking model means:

Build Relationships Before Opportunities Arise: Since Pew proactively identifies grantees, organizations should focus on:
- Becoming visible in policy and research communities relevant to Pew's focus areas
- Producing high-quality research and policy work that aligns with Pew's priorities
- Building reputation as effective service providers (for Philadelphia programs)
- Networking at conferences and convenings where Pew staff participate
For Fellowship Programs - Institutional Positioning:
- Secure position at a participating institution
- Build strong internal relationships with department chairs and research administrators
- Demonstrate "outstanding promise as contributors in science relevant to human health" (Biomedical)
- Develop "particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied biomedical research"
- Show potential for "unusually high impact"
- For Marine Fellows: Focus on marine conservation research with policy relevance
Evidence-Based, Data-Driven Approach: Pew's fundamental philosophy is being "driven by the power of knowledge." Successful partnerships demonstrate:
- Rigorous research methodology
- Clear policy implications
- Measurable outcomes
- Data-driven decision making
- Evidence-based solutions to challenging problems
Philadelphia Organizations:
- Proven track record serving vulnerable populations
- Strong organizational capacity and infrastructure
- Innovative approaches to persistent social challenges
- Financial sustainability and management capability
- Deep community connections and trust
Policy Impact Orientation: Recent Pew grants emphasize:
- Systemic change rather than short-term relief
- Scalable solutions applicable across jurisdictions
- Multi-year strategies requiring substantial investment
- Partnerships that leverage resources and expertise
- Research that informs policymakers

Recent Funded Projects (Examples):

Community Legal Services: $3.5 million growth grant to expand public benefits access for low-income Philadelphians (2025)
$8 million to 11 Philadelphia nonprofits for maternal/infant health, LGBTQ+ youth services, and teacher shortage solutions (2024)
Six marine scientists funded to advance conservation (2025)
State climate resilience funding strategies research across all 50 states (2023-2024)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Understand the Closed Model: Pew does not accept unsolicited proposals for most programs. Traditional grant writing and application strategies do not apply. Focus instead on building organizational reputation and visibility in Pew's priority areas.
Philadelphia Exception: If your organization serves vulnerable populations in the five-county Philadelphia region and has significant organizational capacity, you may be identified by Pew Fund staff. Ensure your work is visible through local networks, Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia, and relevant convenings.
Fellowship Path Requires Institutional Affiliation: Researchers seeking Biomedical Scholars or Marine Fellows funding must secure positions at participating institutions and win competitive internal nominations. Direct application is not possible.
Align with "Knowledge Solves Problems" Philosophy: Pew funds work that generates rigorous evidence and informs policy decisions. Demonstrate how your research or programs produce actionable knowledge that addresses complex societal challenges.
Think Multi-Year and Systemic: Pew's recent Philadelphia growth grants range from $3.5-$8 million over multiple years. They seek transformative rather than incremental change, requiring strong organizational infrastructure and ambitious goals.
Policy Relevance is Essential: Whether in biomedical research, marine conservation, or social services, funded work must connect to policy change and systemic improvement, not just service delivery or basic research.
Geographic Specificity Matters: Outside Philadelphia programs and specific fellowship categories, opportunities are extremely limited. International work is largely restricted to ongoing projects with no application process.

References

The Pew Charitable Trusts Official Website - About/Mission & Values. https://www.pew.org/en/about (Accessed November 2025)
The Pew Charitable Trusts - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pew_Charitable_Trusts (Accessed November 2025)
The Pew Charitable Trusts - GuideStar Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/56-2307147 (Accessed November 2025)
Inside Philanthropy - Pew Charitable Trusts Profile. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-p/pew-charitable-trusts (Accessed November 2025)
The Pew Charitable Trusts - Contact Us. https://www.pew.org/en/about/contact-us (Accessed November 2025)
The Pew Charitable Trusts - Leadership. https://www.pew.org/en/about/leadership (Accessed November 2025)
The Pew Charitable Trusts - History. https://www.pew.org/en/about/history (Accessed November 2025)
Pew Fund for Health and Human Services in Philadelphia. https://origin.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/supporting-the-greater-philadelphia-area/health-and-human-services (Accessed November 2025)
Marine Fellows Program. https://www.pew.org/en/projects/marine-fellows (Accessed November 2025)
Pew Biomedical Scholars Program - Multiple University Research Pages. https://researchsupport.psu.edu/limited-submission/pew-biomedical-scholars/ (Accessed November 2025)
State Fiscal Health Project. https://www.pew.org/en/projects/state-fiscal-policy (Accessed November 2025)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Pew Charitable Trusts (EIN 56-2307147). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/562307147 (Accessed November 2025)
Charity Navigator - Pew Charitable Trusts Rating. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/562307147 (Accessed November 2025)
"Pew Awards Nearly $4 Million to Help More Philadelphians Secure Public Benefits." The Pew Charitable Trusts Press Release, April 24, 2025. https://www.pew.org/en/about/news-room/press-releases-and-statements/2025/04/24/ (Accessed November 2025)
"Pew's 2024 Marine Fellows Undertake Projects to Protect and Restore Ocean Ecosystems." The Pew Charitable Trusts, February 28, 2024. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2024/02/28/ (Accessed November 2025)
"Pew's Board Gains New Members." The Pew Charitable Trusts Trust Magazine, Fall 2024. https://www.pew.org/en/trust/archive/fall-2024/pews-board-gains-new-members (Accessed November 2025)
The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage - How to Apply. https://www.pewcenterarts.org/apply (Accessed November 2025)