Cardinal Brook Trust makes a very small number of large, unrestricted grants, favoring intermediary donor-advised/charitable gift funds and a few regional beneficiaries. Their giving mixes passthrough philanthropy (large gifts to DAFs) with direct support for Massachusetts institutions in health and land conservation, suggesting a preference for flexible, general operating support rather than project-restricted funding.
Cardinal Brook Trust’s recent giving is defined by two large pass-through grants and a set of direct, general-support awards to Massachusetts institutions. In 2025, the trust gave $1,000,000 to Johnson Family Gift Fund - Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund and $600,000 to Mt Grace Land Trust, both for general support. Those gifts sit alongside a $500,000 grant to Mass General, also for general support, showing that the trust moves across philanthropic intermediaries, health care, and land conservation without narrowing itself to a single project type. The trust’s grants also reach smaller community institutions, including Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship, Harvard College Schoolyard Project, and Island Housing Trust. Several awards are explicitly unrestricted or general support, and the wording across the recent grants points to flexible funding rather than tightly restricted program grants. The mix of intermediary funds, hospitals, land trusts, schools, churches, and local nonprofits suggests a regional donor that supports established organizations as well as community-based groups. Cardinal Brook Trust appears in the record as a foundation that gives through a small number of comparatively sizable grants, with Massachusetts organizations appearing often in the recent list.
Cardinal Brook Trust supports land conservation, education, food access, health care, and community programming through named grants that are usually framed as general support. For land conservation, the trust gave $600,000 to Mt Grace Land Trust in 2025 and had also given the organization $150,000 in 2023, indicating repeated support for the same regional land trust. In health and social infrastructure, it awarded $500,000 to Mass General and $10,000 to Quabbin Food Connector, both in 2025. Educational purposes also appear in the record: The Village School on the Common received $20,000, and President and Fellows of Harvard College received $12,038. Community programming is represented by a $4,000 grant to Athol Area YMCA. These examples show a mix of institutional support and local, place-based grants.
Typical grant size is small relative to the trust’s largest awards: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $3,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. At the same time, the recent record includes several much larger general-support grants, showing a wide spread in check size. The pattern also shows repeat recipients. Mt Grace Land Trust appears in both 2023 and 2025, as do Quabbin Food Connector and Tri-parish Community Church. The trust is not shown making program-related investments and does not fund individuals. Recent grants are overwhelmingly framed as general support, with some educational-purpose and facility-maintenance grants mixed in.
$2.3M
$124.6M
$23.7M
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Highly concentrated: only four large grants totaling $4.3M, with a majority directed to donor-advised funds (pass-through) and the remainder to a small set of repeatable institutional recipients; prefers large, unrestricted gifts over many small grants.
Notable grantees: Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund, Johnson Family Gift Fund - Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund, Mt. Grace Land Trust, Mass General (Massachusetts General Hospital)
Cardinal Brook Trust gives mostly in Massachusetts, which accounts for 68% of grants in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also Massachusetts. Recent recipient cities in the state include Boston, Athol, Vineyard Haven, Petersham, Orange, West Tisbury, Springfield, and New Braintree. Outside Massachusetts, the recent list includes single grants to recipients in Petersburg, New York; Albany, Georgia; San Francisco, California; Washington, DC; New York, New York; Dorado, Puerto Rico; and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts as listed in the grant record.
The recent grants show support for donor-advised or charitable gift funds, hospitals, land trusts, schools, churches, food access groups, libraries, public radio, and community organizations. Examples include Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund, Mt Grace Land Trust, Mass General, Quabbin Food Connector, and Athol Area YMCA.
The trust’s typical grant size is $2,000 at the 25th percentile, $3,000 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent records also include much larger awards, including seven-figure and six-figure grants.
Yes. Mt Grace Land Trust appears in both 2023 and 2025, Quabbin Food Connector appears in both years, and Tri-parish Community Church appears in both 2023 and 2025. The pattern suggests recurring support rather than one-time-only giving.
Massachusetts is the top state by grant count, and 68% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Massachusetts recipients include organizations in Boston, Athol, Vineyard Haven, Petersham, Orange, West Tisbury, Springfield, and New Braintree.
No. The foundation profile indicates that it does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. The recent grants are all to organizations rather than individuals.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHNSON FAMILY GIFT FUND - BANK OF AMERICA CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | BOSTON, MA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MT GRACE LAND TRUST | ATHOL, MA | $600,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASS GENERAL | BOSTON, MA | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD VISION FELLOWSHIP | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $90,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVARD COLLEGE SCHOOLYARD PROJECT | PETERSHAM, MA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE VILLAGE SCHOOL ON THE COMMON | ROYALSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| QUABBIN FOOD CONNECTOR | ORANGE, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ISLAND HOUSING TRUST | WEST TISBURY, MA | $8,379 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STILLPOINT MARTHA'S VINEYARD INC | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC RADIO | SPRINGFIELD, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRI-PARISH COMMUNITY CHURCH | NEW BRAINTREE, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD COMMUNITY SERVICES | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $1,000 | 2025 | FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD VISION FELLOWSHIP | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $10,000 | 2024 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST OF PETERSHAM | PETERSHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POTASH HILL | MARLBORO, VT | $4,000 | 2024 | FOR GENERAL PURPOSES |
| BARRE CENTER FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES | BARRE, MA | $3,125 | 2024 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRI-PARISH COMMUNITY CHURCH | NEW BRAINTREE, MA | $2,500 | 2024 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BANK OF AMERICA CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | BOSTON, MA | $2,200,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MT GRACE LAND TRUST | ATHOL, MA | $150,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $12,038 | 2023 | FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| QUABBIN FOOD CONNECTOR | ORANGE, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UMASS MEDICAL | SHREWSBURY, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR HEALTH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME GROUPS |
| SOUTHWEST GEORGIA PROJECT | ALBANY, GA | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PETERSHAM UNITARIAN CHURCH | PETERSHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE |
| NORTHEAST ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION | BARRE, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR SUPPORT OF FARMING IN NEW ENGLAND |
| TIDES FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUL FIRE FARM | PETERSBURG, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PETERSHAM MEMORIAL LIBRARY | PETERSHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SEEDS OF SOLIDARITY | ORANGE, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | FOR SUPPORT OF FARMING |
| ATHOL AREA YMCA | ATHOL, MA | $4,000 | 2023 | FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD SHELLFISH GROUP INC | OAK BLUFFS, MA | $3,000 | 2023 | FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| BIODIVERSITY WORKS | VINEYARD HAVEN, MA | $3,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF OAXACAN FOLK ART | NEW YORK, NY | $3,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRI-PARISH COMMUNITY CHURCH | NEW BRAINTREE, MA | $2,500 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JANE STERN DORADO COMMUNITY LIBRARY | DORADO, PR | $2,500 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PETERSHAM ARTS COUNCIL | PETERSHAM, MA | $2,000 | 2023 | FOR COMMUNITY ART COUNCIL |
| MILLER'S RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL | ATHOL, MA | $2,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CALCUTTA KIDS | MARLBORO, VT | $2,000 | 2023 | FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES |
| ST ANDREWS SCHOOL | MIDDLETOWN, DE | $1,500 | 2023 | FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| MARTHA'S VINEYARD COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | WEST TISBURY, MA | $1,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RAZOM INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS LAND TRUST COALITION | SUDBURY, MA | $1,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| POLLY HILL ARBORETUM | WEST TISBURY, MA | $1,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON | PRINCETON, MA | $1,000 | 2023 | FOR GENERAL MAINTENANCE AT THE MEADOW |
FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
MT GRACE LAND TRUST
$600,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
MASS GENERAL
$500,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
MARTHA'S VINEYARD VISION FELLOWSHIP
$90,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
HARVARD COLLEGE SCHOOLYARD PROJECT
$40,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
THE VILLAGE SCHOOL ON THE COMMON
$20,000FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
QUABBIN FOOD CONNECTOR
$10,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC RADIO
$5,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
TRI-PARISH COMMUNITY CHURCH
$5,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
MARTHA'S VINEYARD VISION FELLOWSHIP
$10,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST OF PETERSHAM
$5,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
POTASH HILL
$4,000FOR GENERAL PURPOSES
BARRE CENTER FOR BUDDHIST STUDIES
$3,125FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
TRI-PARISH COMMUNITY CHURCH
$2,500FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
MT GRACE LAND TRUST
$150,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
QUABBIN FOOD CONNECTOR
$5,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
UMASS MEDICAL
$5,000FOR HEALTH CARE FOR LOW-INCOME GROUPS
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA PROJECT
$5,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
PETERSHAM UNITARIAN CHURCH
$5,000FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE
NORTHEAST ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION
$5,000FOR SUPPORT OF FARMING IN NEW ENGLAND
SOUL FIRE FARM
$5,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
PETERSHAM MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SEEDS OF SOLIDARITY
$5,000FOR SUPPORT OF FARMING
ATHOL AREA YMCA
$4,000FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
MARTHA'S VINEYARD SHELLFISH GROUP INC
$3,000FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
BIODIVERSITY WORKS
$3,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF OAXACAN FOLK ART
$3,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
TRI-PARISH COMMUNITY CHURCH
$2,500FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
PETERSHAM ARTS COUNCIL
$2,000FOR COMMUNITY ART COUNCIL
MILLER'S RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL
$2,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
CALCUTTA KIDS
$2,000FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES
ST ANDREWS SCHOOL
$1,500FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
MASSACHUSETTS LAND TRUST COALITION
$1,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
POLLY HILL ARBORETUM
$1,000FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
MASSACHUSETTS AUDUBON
$1,000FOR GENERAL MAINTENANCE AT THE MEADOW