Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust
At a glance
Key takeaways
- This trust funds Georgia-located 501(c)(3) organisations that help needy Georgia residents with the costs of organ transplants, with a smaller share of income available for transplant research, so it suits only work that fits this specific focus.
- Most grants to organisations are sizeable: about eight in ten of the 26 grants fall between $72,000 and $1,900,000, with a median of $400,000 and a largest grant of $2,300,000, so a substantial request is realistic rather than a small one.
- Applications are made online, with a fixed deadline of June 30 each year ahead of the annual grant meeting, so plan well in advance.
- A high share, 85%, of grant dollars went to organisations also funded in the two preceding filings, suggesting the trust often renews existing relationships, so new applicants should be ready for a competitive process.
- The trust does not fund endowments or general goodwill advertising, grants that would replace existing funding sources, indirect or overhead costs for projects at colleges, universities, governmental units or other established organisations, or grants to individuals, and all enquiries should go through Philanthropic Services at Wells Fargo Bank rather than contacting bank officers personally.
Overview
Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust is a US private foundation administered by its trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in Saint Louis, MO.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The trust aims to improve the process of organ transplantation for needy Georgia residents. It gives grants to Georgia-located 501(c)(3) organisations that can provide financial assistance to needy residents requiring transplants of eyes, kidneys, hearts and other human organs. Up to a quarter of its income may support research into improving transplantation. The trustee considers capital improvements, start-up projects addressing a critical need in patient financial challenges and demonstrating potential for ongoing external or institutional support, challenge or matching proposals, and grants of up to three years. Decisions draw on grant-request materials, interviews, site visits and recommendations from advisory sources. Grantees provide periodic project reports and a report at the end of the grant period.
Themes
- Organ transplantation
- Transplant research
Geographic Focus
Georgia.
What They Don't Fund
- Endowment or general goodwill advertising
- Grants that would replace existing sources of funding
- Indirect or overhead expenses for projects at colleges, universities, governmental units, or other established organizations
- Grants to individuals
How to apply
Apply online.
Deadlines: Applications must be submitted by June 30 for the annual grant meeting.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 85% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 26 grants to organisations were $400,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The trustee considers proposals for capital improvements, including buildings, furniture, equipment and alterations to existing structures.
- The trustee considers start-up grants for projects addressing critical needs in patient financial challenges associated with solid organ transplantation and demonstrating potential for ongoing external or institutional support.
- The trustee considers challenge or matching grant proposals.
- The trustee bases decisions on grant-request materials, interviews, site visits and recommendations from advisory sources.
- The trustee requires periodic reporting during the project and a report at the end of the grant period.
- Applicants are asked to communicate through Philanthropic Services at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and not to contact bank officers personally concerning proposals.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 41% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 85% of grant dollars went to organisations Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 10 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $375k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Georgia Transplant Foundation · Financial assistance$2,050,0002024 tax year
- University of Georgia Research Foundation · General support$650,0002024 tax year
- Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities · Adopt a family program$500,0002024 tax year
- Childrens Healthcare Of Atlanta Inc · General operating$500,0002024 tax year
- Emory University · General operating$400,0002024 tax year
- Childrens Healthcare Of Atlanta · Various healthcare programs$350,0002024 tax year
- Georgia Health Sciences Foundation · General operating$250,0002024 tax year
- Augusta University Foundation · General operating$150,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
Administered by its trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $6,649,690 | $5,700,000 | $103,798,121 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $5,510,866 | $4,600,000 | $116,612,854 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $6,319,849 | $5,100,000 | $127,385,778 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (888) 234-1999
- Saint Louis, MO (office of its trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.)
- wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/mason-trust
Applying to Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (888) 234-1999
- Saint Louis, MO (office of its trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.)
- wellsfargo.com/private-foundations/mason-trust