The Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust concentrates large, strategic gifts to elite biomedical research institutions, national reproductive health advocacy, and high-profile urban public space projects, with a strong New York City orientation. The trust favors high-dollar, targeted investments in a small number of repeat grantees rather than broad, shallow grantmaking. Its giving suggests priorities in advancing biomedical science, supporting reproductive health access and advocacy, and enhancing iconic urban green space revitalization.
Donald a Pels Charitable Trust Utd 8/18/92 C/o Pkf O'connor Davies repeatedly directs multimillion-dollar general operating support to a small set of large institutions, with Rockefeller University and Planned Parenthood Federation of America among the clearest recurring recipients. The trust’s pattern is not broad-based: the same grantees appear across multiple years, often at $2 million or $2.5 million per award, which points to sustained core support rather than project-only funding. Alongside biomedical research and reproductive health advocacy, the trust also backs public-interest and civic organizations such as Friends of the High Line, showing interest in both institutional capacity and visible urban initiatives. Its grant record also includes major support for environmental advocacy, civil liberties, gun safety, and higher education institutions. The repeated presence of general operating support across these areas suggests flexibility in use while keeping the portfolio centered on established organizations. Within the recent-grants list, Duke University, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, and City University of New York Research Foundation also appear, reinforcing a profile built around large, targeted gifts to recognizable nonprofits and research institutions.
Biomedical research is a clear throughline: the trust gave $2,500,000 to Rockefeller University in 2025 and repeated the same amount to the institution in 2024 and 2023 as general operating support. Reproductive health advocacy is another major area, with $2,250,000 to Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 2025, after the same amount in 2024 and 2023. The trust also funds urban public space and cultural institutions. Friends of the High Line Inc received $2,300,000 in 2023 and $2,107,500 in 2024 for general operating support, while Friends of Highline received $2,100,000 in 2025. Civic and advocacy groups appear as well: Neo Philanthropy - State Infrastructure Fund received $2,000,000 in 2025, 2024, and 2023, and New Museum of Contemporary Art received $1,100,000 in 2024.
Typical grant size sits at $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $75,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent-grants list also shows a long tail of multimillion-dollar awards. The trust is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recurring awards are common: several recipients appear in consecutive years, often with the same general operating support structure, which signals ongoing institutional relationships rather than one-time project grants.
$36.3M
$258.2M
$26.2M
$38.8M
Most grants fall between $20K and $150K, with a median of $75K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$75K
75th Percentile
$150K
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Highly concentrated, large grants (multi-million-dollar), frequent repeat funding to a small set of flagship organizations; few total grants but high aggregate dollars per grantee.
Notable grantees: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Rockefeller University, Friends of the High Line, Duke University
The trust gives overwhelmingly in the United States, and 76% of its grants go to recipients in New York state. New York City is the clearest hub, with frequent awards to organizations in New York, NY. Other recipient locations in the recent list include Durham, NC, Washington, DC, and San Francisco, CA. The geography is regional in scope, but the recipient base remains heavily concentrated in New York.
The recent grants show support for biomedical research institutions, reproductive health advocacy groups, urban public-space organizations, environmental nonprofits, civil liberties groups, gun-safety advocacy, and higher education institutions. Many awards are for general operating support, indicating an interest in sustaining established organizations rather than funding narrow projects.
Its typical grant size is $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $75,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list also includes repeated multimillion-dollar awards, including several at $2,000,000, $2,250,000, and $2,500,000.
Yes. Multiple recipients appear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Rockefeller University, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Neo Philanthropy - State Infrastructure Fund, Friends of the High Line Inc, and City University of New York Research Foundation. The repeated pattern suggests ongoing support relationships.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 76% of grants go to recipients in New York state. The recent list is heavily centered in New York, NY, with additional awards reaching Durham, NC; Washington, DC; and San Francisco, CA.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $2,250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $2,100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF HIGHLINE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY - STATE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EARTHJUSTICE | SAN FRANSISCO, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOPEWELL FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMPASSION AND CHOICES | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK | JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY | $800,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PRO PUBLICA | NEW YORK, NY | $800,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINDWARD FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $600,000 | 2025 | RURAL DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE |
| UNITED NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSES OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRADY CENTER TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOODWELL CLIMATE RESEARCH CENTER | FALMOUTH, ME | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LA GUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $482,528 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AFRO LATIN JAZZ ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $325,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WILDERNESS SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL (FORMERLY NARAL) | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF SAN DIEGO | SAN DIEGO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN INC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WNYC | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAG HARBOR CINEMA ARTS CENTER | SAG HARBOR, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FWDUS EDUCATION FUND INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BROOKLYN MUSEUM | BROOKLYN, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITY HARVEST | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KIND INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRENNAN CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOPEWELL FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICARES | STAMFORD, CT | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST ANN'S WAREHOUSE INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAFE PASSAGE PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCHOLARSHIP PLUS | NEW YORK, NY | $180,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WORKFORCE PROFESSIONALS TRAINING INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $160,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE MARSHALL PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER | NEW YOK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ROCKING THE BOAT | BRONX, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR FAMILY LIFE IN SUNSET PARK | BROOKLYN, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
FRIENDS OF HIGHLINE
$2,100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY
$1,000,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
$500,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LA GUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$482,528GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$400,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AFRO LATIN JAZZ ALLIANCE
$325,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL (FORMERLY NARAL)
$300,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WNYC
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAG HARBOR CINEMA ARTS CENTER
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BROOKLYN MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
KIND INC
$225,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BRENNAN CENTER
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICARES
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SCHOLARSHIP PLUS
$180,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WORKFORCE PROFESSIONALS TRAINING INSTITUTE
$160,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT