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Gilbert And Aileen Chuck Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$21.3M
Grant Range
$110K - $5.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21,267,600 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $24,392,803 (2023)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $110,000 - $5,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: California (particularly Ventura County) and Hawaii (particularly Maui)

Contact Details

The trust does not maintain a public website or direct contact information. Inquiries may be directed to:

Trust Administration: Kevin Staker, Co-Trustee Staker|Johnson Law Corporation 1200 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 280 Camarillo, CA 93010 Website: www.stakerjohnson.com

Overview

The Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Charitable Trust (EIN: 93-6678221) is a private foundation based in Camarillo, California, established from the estate of Gilbert and Aileen Chuck, long-time Camarillo residents. Gilbert Chuck held a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from MIT and worked for the United States space program in California. Aileen Chuck earned a bachelor's degree in education from Wheelock College and operated Woodland Hills Preschool and Elementary for a decade. Following Gilbert's death in 2016 after cancer treatment at City of Hope, and Aileen's passing in 2023, the trust has emerged as a significant philanthropic force with over $24 million in assets. The trust's grantmaking reflects the couple's personal values and experiences, focusing heavily on medical education (particularly oncology and nursing), disaster relief for vulnerable populations, and youth development through performing arts. The trust is managed by co-trustees Ron Purdy and Kevin Staker, who work to fulfill grants identified in Aileen's estate plans while continuing the couple's tradition of helping individual families and making transformational impacts on education and healthcare.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, grants appear to be made based on trustee discretion and relationships established during the Chucks' lifetime and through Aileen's estate planning.

Recent Major Grants:

  • City of Hope Chuck Family Trust Endowment for Clinical Fellowships: $5 million (plus prior $1.2 million) to train 10 oncology fellows annually at City of Hope's Los Angeles campus
  • UH Maui College Kam Scholars Program: $3 million total ($2 million initial gift + $1 million expansion) for full scholarships for nursing students in Practical Nurse (PN), Associate in Science Registered Nurse (ASN), and future Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs
  • Ventura County Storm Fund: $200,000 for emergency housing and basic needs assistance for victims of December 2023 flooding
  • Wave of Harmony Foundation: $110,000 to support Maui youth performing arts programs

Priority Areas

Medical Education: The trust demonstrates strong commitment to training the next generation of healthcare professionals, with particular emphasis on:

  • Oncology fellowships (reflecting Gilbert's cancer treatment experience)
  • Nursing education and scholarships
  • Programs that provide full financial support to students

Emergency Disaster Relief: Support for vulnerable populations affected by natural disasters, including:

  • Temporary housing assistance
  • Basic needs (food, clothing)
  • Support for low-income families, senior citizens, and undocumented residents
  • Focus on direct individual and family assistance

Youth Development: Investment in performing arts education for young people, particularly in communities recovering from disasters

Geographic Focus: Strong connection to both California (particularly Ventura County/Camarillo area) and Hawaii (particularly Maui), reflecting the Chuck family's heritage and connections. The Kam Scholars Program honors Aileen's father, Dr. Edwin T. Kam (1904-1993), a physician who practiced in Windward Oʻahu.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Based on grantmaking patterns, the trust appears to focus on:

  • Established institutions rather than startups
  • Programs with direct impact on individuals and families
  • Organizations aligned with the Chuck family's personal values and connections

Governance and Leadership

Co-Trustees:

  • Ron Purdy: Part-time Maui resident who has met with organizations included in Aileen's estate plans. Purdy stated regarding the Wave of Harmony Foundation grant: "Barry Kawakami's dedication to Maui's youth theatre is truly remarkable."
  • Kevin Staker: Camarillo attorney and senior shareholder at Staker|Johnson Law Corporation. Certified as a specialist in both Taxation as well as Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law by the California Board of Legal Specialization. Holds a Master of Laws in Taxation degree from New York University.

The trust operates with zero employees, indicating management by the trustees themselves.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be made through one or more of the following methods:

  1. Estate Planning: Organizations identified in Aileen Chuck's estate plans, with trustee Ron Purdy meeting with designated recipients
  2. Trustee Discretion: Trustees identify opportunities aligned with the Chuck family's philanthropic values
  3. Pre-existing Relationships: Organizations with connections to Gilbert and Aileen Chuck during their lifetimes
  4. Community Foundation Partnerships: The trust has worked with Ventura County Community Foundation for disaster relief grantmaking

Unsolicited applications are not accepted through a formal process.

Getting on Their Radar

Maui Connection: Co-trustee Ron Purdy is a part-time Maui resident and appears to be actively engaged with Maui-based organizations, particularly those supporting youth development and education. The trust has made multiple significant grants to Maui organizations, including UH Maui College and Wave of Harmony Foundation.

Ventura County Community Foundation Partnership: The trust's $200,000 contribution to the Ventura County Storm Fund was facilitated through the Ventura County Community Foundation, suggesting this may be a channel for disaster relief and community benefit projects in Ventura County.

Focus on Founder/Leadership Dedication: Ron Purdy's quote about Barry Kawakami's "dedication to Maui's youth theatre" suggests the trustees value passionate, committed leadership when evaluating potential grant recipients.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The trust appears to make grants on an ongoing basis rather than in scheduled funding cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process. However, the trust has demonstrated willingness to provide multi-year support and expansion funding, as evidenced by the additional $1 million to UH Maui College building on the initial $2 million gift.

Application Success Factors

While there is no public application process, the trust's grantmaking patterns reveal clear priorities:

Personal Connection to Healthcare: The trust's largest gifts support medical education, directly reflecting Gilbert Chuck's cancer treatment at City of Hope and his ultimate death from the disease in 2016. Organizations providing cancer care, training oncologists, or supporting nursing education align strongly with the family's lived experience.

Family Heritage and Values: The naming of the Kam Scholars Program after Aileen's father, Dr. Edwin T. Kam, demonstrates the importance of honoring family legacy. Dr. Kam (1904-1993) was a physician who trained in China and at the University of Pennsylvania, served as director of a Red Cross hospital in Shanghai during the Japanese invasion, and had a 50-year career in medicine. Organizations that connect to family heritage, educational values, or Hawaiian connections may resonate with trustees.

Direct Impact on Individuals: The trust is explicitly described as "continuing their philanthropic tradition of helping individual families and making a significant difference in people's lives." Programs providing direct assistance—full scholarships, emergency housing, basic needs—appear more aligned than institutional overhead or research.

Support for Vulnerable Populations: The Ventura County Storm Fund grant specifically targeted "lowest-income and undocumented residents" who "would be left homeless and without attainable recovery options." The trust responds to organizations serving those without other resources.

Transformational Rather Than Incremental: Grants range from $110,000 to $5 million, with the trust making fewer but larger gifts. The $5 million City of Hope gift was described as "the largest gift made by the Gilbert and Aileen Chuck estate since her passing in 2023."

Youth Development and Arts: Despite the medical education focus, the trust also supports youth performing arts, particularly in Lahaina following the August 8 wildfires, suggesting responsiveness to community needs and youth empowerment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists—this trust operates through estate planning, trustee discretion, and pre-existing relationships rather than solicited proposals
  • Medical education is the dominant priority, particularly oncology fellowships and nursing scholarships that reflect Gilbert's cancer journey and Aileen's father's medical career
  • Geographic focus on California and Hawaii with strong ties to Camarillo/Ventura County and Maui communities
  • Disaster relief for vulnerable populations is a demonstrated priority, with emphasis on direct assistance for housing and basic needs
  • Multi-year and expansion funding is possible, as shown by the additional $1 million to UH Maui College after the initial $2 million gift
  • Full financial support preferred over partial funding—the trust funds complete nursing scholarships and fully endowed fellowship programs
  • Connection to Ventura County Community Foundation may provide a pathway for regional disaster relief and community benefit initiatives

References

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