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Trust UW Elisha V Ashton C/O Choate Hall & Stewart

Annual Giving
$0.7M
Grant Range
$30K - $0.2M

Trust UW Elisha V Ashton C/O Choate Hall & Stewart

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $688,736 (2023); $1,117,069 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $19.9 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $30,459 - $152,295
  • Number of Grants: 17 annually (consistent 2020-2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts (primarily Boston area)
  • Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

  • Address: Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110
  • Phone: (617) 248-4760
  • Administrator: Choate Hall & Stewart LLP

Overview

The Trust UW Elisha V Ashton is a private foundation established in 1957 under the will ("UW" = Under Will) of Elisha V. Ashton. Administered by the Boston law firm Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, the trust has grown to approximately $19.9 million in assets as of 2024. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private foundation with a fiscal year ending in October.

The trust generates its income entirely from investments, primarily consisting of corporate stocks ($12.7 million), government obligations ($3.2 million), and short-term investments. It receives no external contributions. The foundation consistently distributes grants to approximately 17 organizations annually, with total giving ranging from $688,736 (2023) to over $1.1 million (2024). The trust focuses its giving on established Massachusetts-based organizations in the areas of education, human services, and philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes general operating grants to preselected charitable organizations:

  • Large Grants: Up to $152,295 (awarded to priority recipients)
  • Standard Grants: Approximately $30,459 - $79,556
  • Application Method: Invitation only / Preselected organizations

Priority Areas

  • Children's services and welfare
  • Healthcare and medical institutions
  • Human services
  • Education
  • Maritime/nautical organizations
  • General philanthropy

Known Grant Recipients (2022)

  1. The Home for Little Wanderers - $152,295 + $46,595 (children's services)
  2. Boston Children's Hospital - $79,556 (pediatric healthcare)
  3. Tufts Medical Center - $45,547 (healthcare)
  4. The Boston Marine Society - $45,547 (maritime services)
  5. Rutland Corner Foundation - $30,459
  6. The Chickering Foundation - $30,459 (women and children in crisis)
  7. Multiple additional Boston-area organizations - $30,459 each

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited requests for funding
  • Organizations outside Massachusetts
  • Organizations not preselected by the trustees

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

  • Richard K Nichols - Trustee (1 hour/week, compensation: $31,429 in 2024)
  • Kristin T Abati - Trustee (1 hour/week, no compensation)

Administrator

Choate Hall & Stewart LLP serves as the administrative trustee, providing family office services and handling all distribution, reporting, and planning needs for the trust. The firm has extensive experience navigating private foundation tax rules.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The foundation has explicitly stated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and vetted independently.

Grant Distribution Pattern

  • The trust consistently makes exactly 17 grants per year (2020-2023)
  • Many recipients appear to receive funding annually (recurring relationships)
  • Grant decisions are made by trustees without public application cycles
  • All grants are designated for "General" purposes (unrestricted)

Decision Timeline

  • Fiscal year ends in October
  • Grants appear to be distributed on an annual basis
  • No public application deadlines exist

Application Success Factors

Given that this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, based on the grant recipient patterns:

  • Geographic Alignment: All known recipients are Massachusetts-based, with strong emphasis on Boston-area organizations
  • Established Organizations: Recipients tend to be well-established institutions with long track records (e.g., The Home for Little Wanderers has operated since the 1800s)
  • Consistent Funding: The foundation appears to maintain long-term relationships with its grantees, providing reliable annual support
  • Children and Healthcare Focus: The largest grants go to organizations serving children and healthcare institutions
  • Unrestricted Support: The foundation provides general operating support rather than project-specific funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests—do not attempt to submit applications
  • Preselected Organizations Only: Grants go to organizations the trustees have independently identified and vetted
  • Massachusetts Focus: Only Massachusetts organizations receive funding, with strong Boston concentration
  • Consistent Giving Pattern: The trust makes exactly 17 grants annually, suggesting stable, recurring grantee relationships
  • Substantial Assets: With nearly $20 million in assets and growing distributions, the foundation has capacity for significant grants
  • Long-term Relationships: Priority recipients like The Home for Little Wanderers receive ongoing annual support
  • Children's Services Priority: The largest grants consistently support organizations serving children and families

References

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