The Ausolus Trust

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $1,425,000 (2023)
Total Assets: $29,576,368 (2023)
Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000
Typical Grant: $10,000 - $25,000
Number of Grants: 55-62 annually
Geographic Focus: Northeast US (primarily Massachusetts, Maine, New York)
Application Deadline: August 15

Contact Details

Address: The Ausolus Trust, c/o BFO, 88 Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 624-0800
Website: None publicly available

Overview

The Ausolus Trust is a private family foundation established in 1997 in Massachusetts. With total assets of approximately $29.6 million, the Trust distributes around $1.4 million annually through 55-62 grants. The foundation is managed through The Boston Family Office and is closely associated with the Putnam family, part of the prominent Boston investment management dynasty.

The Trust operates with no paid staff, with all administrative functions handled through The Boston Family Office. Since 2017, the foundation has awarded over 200 individual grants totaling more than $3.3 million. The foundation takes a broad approach to philanthropy, supporting established institutions primarily in education, arts and culture, historic preservation, environmental conservation, and human services across the Northeast region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust provides general operating and project support with grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $100,000:

Major Grants ($50,000-$100,000): Reserved for educational institutions and established cultural organizations
Standard Grants ($10,000-$50,000): Available for a range of charitable purposes
Smaller Grants ($1,000-$10,000): Support for various nonprofit activities

Priority Areas

Education: Colleges, universities, and independent schools (prominent recipients include Bates College, Vassar College, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and Harvard University)
Arts and Culture: Museums, performing arts, and cultural institutions
Historic Preservation: Historic sites and preservation organizations (including Historic New England)
Environment: Botanical gardens, arboretums (including Morris Arboretum), and conservation organizations
Health: Hospitals and health-related organizations
Human Services: Social service organizations and family services

Geographic Preferences

Primary focus: Massachusetts, Maine, and New York
Secondary: Other Northeast states
Occasional grants to: Arizona, California, Virginia, and other states

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, they do not typically fund:

Individuals
Organizations outside their areas of interest
Start-up organizations without established track records
Political organizations or campaigns
Religious organizations for sectarian purposes

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

George Putnam III (Boston, MA) - Co-founder and partner of The Boston Family Office; Chairman of New Generation Research, Inc.; President of New Generation Advisors; Trustee of the Putnam Group of Mutual Funds; Director of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute. Harvard College (BA), Harvard Law School (JD), Harvard Business School (MBA).
Barbara P. Lyman (Boston, MA) - Trustee
Susan W. Peck (Boston, MA) - Trustee

Administrative Support

The Trust is administered through The Boston Family Office (BFO), a multifamily office serving high-net-worth families with wealth management, investment, and philanthropic advisory services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Format: No particular format required
Deadline: August 15
Restrictions: None specified
Submission Address: The Ausolus Trust, c/o BFO, 88 Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110

Important Note: While the foundation has an August 15 deadline and accepts applications, some sources indicate they may not accept unsolicited requests. Organizations are encouraged to submit introductory materials to gauge interest before a full proposal.

What to Include

Given the lack of specific format requirements, organizations should include:

Clear description of the organization and its mission
Specific project or funding request
Budget information
Evidence of 501(c)(3) status
Recent financial statements

Decision Timeline

Grants are typically awarded on an annual cycle following the August 15 deadline. Decision timing is not publicly specified but likely occurs in the fall months following application review.

Success Rates

With approximately 55-62 grants awarded annually, the Trust appears to support a consistent number of organizations each year. The foundation has a pattern of repeat giving to established institutions.

Reapplication Policy

No specific restrictions on reapplication are noted. Given the foundation's pattern of supporting the same organizations over multiple years, maintaining a relationship appears to be valued.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns, successful applicants likely demonstrate:

Established Track Record: The Trust consistently supports well-established institutions with proven histories of impact, including prestigious colleges, major museums, and prominent historic preservation organizations.
Northeast Geographic Connection: Strong preference for organizations in Massachusetts, Maine, and New York, with particular emphasis on the Bar Harbor, ME and Boston, MA areas.
Alignment with Trustee Interests: Given George Putnam III's involvement with the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and environmental organizations, marine science and environmental conservation may receive favorable consideration.
Institutional Stability: Recipients tend to be financially stable organizations with strong governance and professional management.
Clear Charitable Purpose: Projects should clearly align with education, culture, historic preservation, environment, or human services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Apply by August 15: This is the annual deadline for consideration
Keep it simple: No particular format is required, but be clear and concise
Target appropriate amounts: Most grants fall in the $10,000-$25,000 range; larger grants ($50,000-$100,000) go to major institutions
Northeast focus: Organizations outside the Northeast region are less likely to receive funding
Established organizations favored: The Trust tends to support well-known institutions with established track records
Relationship building matters: Given the private nature of the foundation, consider sending introductory materials before a full proposal
Education and culture lead: Educational institutions and cultural organizations receive the largest and most consistent grants

References

Information compiled December 2025 from IRS Form 990 filings and publicly available foundation databases.