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Hugh L Adams Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$3.0M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,996,339 (2024 fiscal year)
  • Total Assets: $48.7 million
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Number of Grants: 8 awards annually (consistent 2019-2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily New York, with some grants in Texas, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Jersey
  • Application Method: Through Fund for NYC Public Schools (for playground grants only)

Contact Details

Administrative Contact:

  • Trustee: Deutsche Bank Trust Company N.A.
  • Location: New York, NY
  • EIN: 13-6039262

For Playground Grant Applications:

Overview

The Hugh L Adams Charitable Trust was established by Hugh L. Adams, a New York philanthropist who settled in New York City after World War II and dedicated his life to supporting medical research, healthcare, art, and religious and cultural institutions. The trust was tax-exempt since December 2012 and operates as a private grantmaking foundation. With total assets of approximately $48.7 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $3 million, the trust focuses on education, health care, and philanthropy. The foundation's most visible program is the Hugh L. Adams Playground Grant, administered through the Fund for New York City Public Schools, which was created "for the establishment of children's playgrounds." The trust makes 8 grants annually and maintains a consistent funding approach across multiple states.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Hugh L. Adams Playground Grant

  • Annual competitive grant for NYC public elementary schools
  • Provides a complete outdoor play system and safety surface
  • Administered through the Fund for New York City Public Schools
  • Application method: Annual application cycle through online portal
  • Estimated value: $25,000-$75,000+ per playground system (based on typical playground costs)

Priority Areas

The trust's funding priorities include:

  • Education: Primary focus on children's educational environments, particularly playground infrastructure
  • Health Care: Medical research and healthcare institutions
  • Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions
  • Religious Institutions: Faith-based organizations

Based on geographic distribution of grants, the trust prioritizes:

  • New York (primary focus)
  • Texas
  • Pennsylvania
  • Connecticut
  • New Jersey

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but based on the trust's focus:

  • The trust does not have a public application process for most grants (only the playground program accepts public applications)
  • Organizations outside the trust's geographic focus areas are unlikely to be considered

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Deutsche Bank Trust Company N.A.

The trust is administered by a corporate trustee, which manages the foundation's assets and grant distributions. Officer compensation totaled $345,188 in the 2024 fiscal year.

Historical Background: Hugh L. Adams was a prominent New York philanthropist and humanitarian. His son, Hugh Trumbull Adams (Princeton Class of 1935), was a descendant of a prominent New England family that included three generations of Connecticut governors and revolutionary war painter John Trumbull. The family has a long history of philanthropic giving across multiple causes.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For the Playground Grant Program:

  • Public elementary schools across New York City may apply through the Fund for New York City Public Schools
  • Application available at: https://www.fundfornycps.org/playground-grant
  • Download application form from the Fund's website
  • This is the seventh annual cycle of the playground grant program (as of recent announcements)

For Other Grant Opportunities: This funder does not have a public application process for grants outside the playground program. The trust makes 8 grants annually, but most grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion to organizations and institutions with which the trust has existing relationships or connections.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed for the playground grant program. Schools should check with the Fund for New York City Public Schools for current application deadlines and notification schedules.

Success Rates

At least one school receives the playground grant each year. With hundreds of NYC public elementary schools eligible to apply, the competition is significant, though specific application numbers and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Schools that are not selected may likely reapply in subsequent years, as this is an annual program.

Application Success Factors

For the Playground Grant:

  • Educational Philosophy Alignment: The American Academy of Pediatrics states that "Play is integral to the academic environment." Applications should emphasize how playground improvements support children's social, emotional, and cognitive development through active play.

  • Demonstrated Need: Given the competitive nature and limited awards (at least one school annually), schools should clearly demonstrate the need for playground improvements and how current facilities may be inadequate or unsafe.

  • Elementary School Focus: The grant specifically targets elementary schools, reflecting the founder's interest in early childhood and primary education environments.

  • Complete Applications: Follow all application requirements carefully as outlined by the Fund for New York City Public Schools.

For Organizations Seeking Other Support:

Given that most grants are made through trustee discretion without a public application process, organizations would need to have existing relationships with the trust or connections through Deutsche Bank Trust Company N.A. The trust's historical focus on medical research, healthcare, cultural institutions, and faith-based organizations suggests these areas remain priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited Public Access: Only the playground grant program accepts public applications; other grants are made through trustee discretion
  • Consistent Annual Giving: The trust makes exactly 8 grants annually with total distributions around $3 million, suggesting stable but selective grantmaking
  • Geographic Concentration: Strong focus on New York with some multi-state reach to Pennsylvania, Texas, Connecticut, and New Jersey
  • In-Kind vs. Cash: The playground grant provides equipment and installation rather than direct cash, so understand the value proposition
  • Educational Focus: Emphasis on children's development through play and educational infrastructure
  • Competitive Process: With only one or more playground systems awarded annually from all eligible NYC elementary schools, applications must be compelling
  • Professional Administration: Corporate trustee management suggests formal processes and professional grant administration

References

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