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 totalling 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 Programmes

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 organisations
• 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 organisations (including Historic New England)
• Environment: Botanical gardens, arboretums (including Morris Arboretum), and conservation organisations
• Health: Hospitals and health-related organisations
• Human Services: Social service organisations 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
• Organisations outside their areas of interest
• Start-up organisations without established track records
• Political organisations or campaigns
• Religious organisations 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. Organisations are encouraged to submit introductory materials to gauge interest before a full proposal.

What to Include

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

• Clear description of the organisation 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 organisations 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 organisations over multiple years, maintaining a relationship appears to be valued.

Application Success Factors

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

1. Established Track Record: The Trust consistently supports well-established institutions with proven histories of impact, including prestigious colleges, major museums, and prominent historic preservation organisations.

2. Northeast Geographic Connection: Strong preference for organisations in Massachusetts, Maine, and New York, with particular emphasis on the Bar Harbor, ME and Boston, MA areas.

3. Alignment with Trustee Interests: Given George Putnam III's involvement with the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and environmental organisations, marine science and environmental conservation may receive favourable consideration.

4. Institutional Stability: Recipients tend to be financially stable organisations with strong governance and professional management.

5. 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: Organisations outside the Northeast region are less likely to receive funding
• Established organisations favoured: 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 organisations receive the largest and most consistent grants

References

• Cause IQ - The Ausolus Trust Profile
• Instrumentl - Ausolus Trust 990 Report
• Grantmakers.io - Ausolus Trust Profile
• GrantStation - Ausolus Trust
• The Boston Family Office - George Putnam III
• Historic New England - 2021 Donor Report
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ausolus Trust

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