The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust)

Gave $6M in 2025

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania · EIN 23-2985234 · Private foundation · Website

Grants paid (2025)$6M

Organizations funded1

Typical grant$6,005,423

Total assets$44.2M

Half of its grants to organizations were between $6,005,423 and $6,005,423.

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From the return

How to apply

The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):

Contact	The Essential Foundation
Address	762 West Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA 19010
Phone	(610) 645-1184
Form and materials	We are no longer accepting paper applications. All grant requests should be made using the application form at www.essential.co/essential-foundation. Organization requesting grant: 1. Name and address 2. Website 3. Tax ID 4. Mission 5. Contact information: name, title, telephone number, email address 6. Grant request amount 7. Total project cost 8. Summary description of project 9. List of other organizations who are partnering with this project 10. Which state(s) served by Essential utilities will your project take place? 11. Specific geographical areas to be served 12. Which giving areas best fit project 13. Project description 14. Project impact - expected project outcomes 15. If project is selected, how will Essential's support be recognized? 16. Will project provide any volunteer opportunities for Essential employees? 17. How did you hear about Essential foundation?
Deadlines	None
Restrictions	Funding, when granted, are to be used for projects that benefit communities served by Aqua and peoples companies, and these are listed locations available for the applicant to select on the website.

Wording as filed; text the foundation typed in capitals is shown in normal case. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.

Where it gives

0% of grants went outside Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania1

Grants paid in tax year 2025

Recipient	Location	Purpose	Amount
See Attached Detail List of 2025 Donation Payments	Bryn Mawr, PA	The purpose of each donation is on the list - see attached.	$6,005,423

Giving by year

Tax year	Grants paid	Grant lines
2025	$6,005,423	1
2024	$4,456,768	1
2023	$4,854,730	1

Sources

IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 6, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611269349100826
IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 23-2985234
Profile updated Nov 11, 2026

Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.