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Cardinal Brook Trust

Annual Giving
$0.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.2M

Cardinal Brook Trust

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$25,000 - $62,000 (varies by year; $24,625 in 2023)
  • Total Assets: $103.6 million
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,200,000
  • Average Grant: ~$32,000
  • Number of Grants: 5 (2023), 28 (2022), 48 (2021)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts and Vermont (primary); some national grantmaking
  • Application Process: No public application; preselected recipients only

Contact Details

  • Address: c/o KLR, 99 Summer Street, Suite 520, Boston, MA 02110
  • Phone: (781) 547-8800
  • Website: None known
  • Email: None publicly available

Overview

Cardinal Brook Trust is a private foundation established in 1988 in Massachusetts and has maintained tax-exempt status since December 1989 (EIN: 04-3050557). The foundation was founded by David Davis and Karen Davis and is governed by a family board of trustees.

With total assets of approximately $103.6 million, the foundation gives primarily for environmental programs, health care, and education. Despite its substantial asset base, annual grantmaking has been relatively modest in recent years, with $24,625 distributed across 5 grants in 2023. Historical giving has been higher, with 48 grants made in 2021 and 28 in 2022. The foundation has made occasional large grants, including a $2.2 million contribution to Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund and $150,000 grants to Mt. Grace Land Trust for conservation initiatives.

The foundation operates with no paid employees, with all trustees contributing one hour per week without compensation. The trust appears to function both as an investment vehicle and a philanthropic entity, with significant annual revenue from contributions (approximately $44.6 million in 2023) and investment income.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not have formally structured grant programs but provides charitable distributions in the following areas:

  • Environmental Programs/Conservation: Includes land trusts and conservation organizations
  • Education: Academic and educational institutions
  • Health Care: Health-related organizations and programs
  • Religion/Spirituality: Religious congregations and spiritual study centers
  • Human Services: Various charitable and community organizations

Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

  • Martha's Vineyard Vision Fellowship (Vineyard Haven, MA) - $10,000
  • Unitarian Universalist of Petersham (Petersham, MA) - $5,000
  • Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT) - $4,000
  • Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (Barre, MA) - $3,125
  • Tri-Parish Community Church (New Braintree, MA) - $2,500

Geographic Focus

  • Primary: Massachusetts and Vermont
  • Secondary: California, Delaware, New York, and occasional national/international giving

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusion list is published, but based on giving patterns:

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests
  • Focus is limited to preselected organizations known to the trustees

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

All trustees serve without compensation, contributing approximately one hour per week:

  • David Davis - Trustee, Major Donor/Founder
  • Karen Davis - Trustee, Major Donor/Founder
  • Hannah Johnson - Trustee
  • Nathan Davis - Trustee
  • Jacob Davis - Trustee
  • Rebecca Aures - Trustee

The foundation appears to be family-managed, with several Davis family members serving as trustees.

Administrative Structure

  • Employees: None (0 reported)
  • Professional Services: Administered through KLR (accounting/advisory firm) at the Boston address

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly stated it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations with which they have existing relationships or knowledge.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on available information about this funder:

  • Family and Trustee Connections: The foundation is family-governed, with grants typically flowing to organizations connected to the Davis family's personal interests and geographic connections (particularly central Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard, and Vermont)
  • Geographic Presence: Organizations located in or serving communities where trustees have ties may have natural opportunities for connection
  • Sector Alignment: Organizations working in land conservation, Buddhist/Unitarian spirituality, and rural New England communities appear to align with trustee interests
  • Donor-Advised Fund Activity: The foundation has made significant contributions to donor-advised funds (e.g., Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund), suggesting trustees may also give personally through other vehicles

Decision Timeline

  • Fiscal Year End: December
  • Filing Schedule: Form 990-PF typically filed in November of the following year
  • No published timeline for grant decisions; likely determined at trustee discretion throughout the year

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations are preselected by the trustees.

Application Success Factors

Given the closed nature of this foundation, "success factors" relate to understanding what types of organizations receive funding:

  • Demonstrated Connection to Trustees: Organizations with existing relationships to the Davis family or trustees
  • Geographic Relevance: Strong focus on central Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard, and Vermont communities
  • Alignment with Personal Interests: Grants reflect personal philanthropic interests including:
    • Land conservation and environmental protection
    • Religious/spiritual communities (particularly Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist)
    • Rural New England community institutions
    • Education
  • Small, Community-Based Organizations: Many grants go to smaller, locally-focused organizations rather than large national nonprofits
  • Sustained Relationships: Some organizations appear to receive repeated support over multiple years

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: Cardinal Brook Trust explicitly does not accept unsolicited funding requests. Approaching this foundation without an existing relationship is unlikely to succeed.

  • Family Foundation Model: This is a family-governed trust where giving decisions reflect the personal philanthropic interests and connections of the Davis family trustees.

  • Significant Assets, Modest Giving: Despite holding over $100 million in assets, annual grantmaking is relatively small (under $65,000 in recent years), suggesting the foundation may be accumulating assets or distributing through other mechanisms.

  • Geographic Focus on Rural New England: Organizations in central Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard, and Vermont have received the majority of grants.

  • Spiritual/Religious Interest: Notable support for Unitarian Universalist congregations and Buddhist study centers indicates trustee interest in interfaith/contemplative spirituality.

  • Conservation Priority: Historical support for land trusts (including a $150,000 grant to Mt. Grace Land Trust) shows commitment to land conservation in Massachusetts.

  • Alternative Strategies: Organizations seeking support from this foundation would be best served by building authentic relationships within the communities and sectors where the trustees are active, rather than direct outreach to the foundation.

References

Information accessed December 2025. Data primarily derived from IRS Form 990-PF filings through 2023.

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