The Robert W Wilson Charitable Trust
Invitation OnlyNew York, New York · EIN 51-6536168 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$34.4M
Organizations funded78
Typical grant$10,000
Total assets$152.9M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $40,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
37% of grants went outside New York.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature Conservancy | New York, NY | General support | $9,342,423 |
| Shelburne Farms | Shelburne, VT | General support | $5,000,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund | New York, NY | General support | $4,918,741 |
| World Monuments Fund | New York, NY | General support | $4,862,182 |
| Central Park Conservancy | New York, NY | General support | $2,600,000 |
| Vera Institute of Justice | Brooklyn, NY | General support | $2,075,000 |
| Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Brooklyn, NY | General support | $1,624,425 |
| Metropolitan Opera | New York, NY | General support | $1,000,000 |
| Drug Policy Alliance | New York, NY | General support | $600,000 |
| New York Public Library | New York, NY | General support | $525,000 |
| National Trust for Historic Preservation | Washington, DC | General support | $317,500 |
| American Bird Conservancy | The Plains, VA | General support | $280,000 |
| Hastings Center | Garrison, NY | General support | $145,000 |
| Uja Federation New York | New York, NY | General support | $102,500 |
| Jewish Federation of Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | General support | $100,000 |
| 54 Below Inc | New York, NY | General support | $90,000 |
| Central Synagogue | New York, NY | General support | $68,750 |
| New York University | New York, NY | General support | $52,500 |
| Institute for Justice | Arlington, VA | General support | $50,000 |
| Civic and Cultural Restoration | Hoosick Falls, NY | General support | $40,000 |
| Wildlife Conservation Society | Washington, DC | General support | $32,500 |
| Aclu Foundation | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| American Red Cross | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Bottomless Closet | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Inner City Scholarship Program | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Juilliard School | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Mt Sinai Hospital | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Municipal Art Society | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Nature & Culture International | Del Mar, CA | General support | $25,000 |
| New York Landmarks Conservancy | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Antidefamation League | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Cultural Heritage Finance Alliance | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Cec Artslink | New York, NY | General support | $20,000 |
| Childrens Aid Society | New York, NY | General support | $15,000 |
| Bone Marrow Cancer Foundation | New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Duke Lemur Center | Durham, NC | General support | $10,000 |
| Friends of Lachat | Weston, CT | General support | $10,000 |
| Grassroots Grocery | New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Hour Children | Long Island City, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Jazz Foundation of America | New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Jewish Interactive | Plantation, FL | General support | $10,000 |
| Musicians on Call | Nashville, TN | General support | $10,000 |
| Scenic Hudson | Poughkeepsie, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| St Ann's Warehouse | Brooklyn, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| STEM Teachers NYC | New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Tenement Museum | New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Wcpe Classical Radio | Wake Forest, NC | General support | $10,000 |
| Ardsley Historical Society | Ardsley, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| Hurricane Island Outward Bound School | Camden, ME | General support | $10,000 |
| Jewish Life at Duke | Durham, NC | General support | $10,000 |
| Jewish Museum | New York, NY | General support | $10,000 |
| The Honeycomb Project | Chicago, IL | General support | $6,500 |
| Upstream Alliance | Annapolis, MD | General support | $6,500 |
| Mohonk Preserve | Gardiner, NY | General support | $6,000 |
| NYC Bird Alliance | New York, NY | General support | $6,000 |
| Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation | Water Mill, NY | General support | $5,000 |
| City Harvest | New York, NY | General support | $5,000 |
| Food & Environment Reporting Network | New York, NY | General support | $5,000 |
| Stand With US | Pasadena, CA | General support | $5,000 |
| Sunrise Day Camp | Oceanside, NY | General support | $5,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 78 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,420,221 | 78 |
| 2024 | $26,193,961 | 82 |
| 2023 | $12,118,893 | 79 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Sep 17, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202622609349100422
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 51-6536168
- Profile updated Nov 5, 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.