The John A. Moran Charitable Trust concentrates large, unrestricted gifts to major cultural institutions, medical research/clinical centers, and conservation organizations, with a clear preference for high-profile national museums and performing arts schools as well as its namesake eye center. Grants are few but sizable, often repeated to the same institutions, and include support for local Palm Beach organizations alongside national beneficiaries. The foundation’s giving emphasizes sustaining flagship organizations rather than project-restricted funding.
Concentrated, high-dollar unrestricted grants to a small set of flagship institutions; several repeat large gifts to the same grantees alongside a few local Palm Beach beneficiaries.
A 2025 unrestricted contribution of $2,175,000 to The Metropolitan Museum of Art captures the scale of The John a Moran Charitable Trust’s giving. The trust favors large, flexible gifts to established institutions, and its recent grants show a strong tilt toward major cultural organizations, medical research and clinical care, and conservation groups. The same pattern appears in another 2025 gift of $2,106,750 to the John a Moran Eye Center, linking the trust’s namesake institution to one of its largest awards. The trust also backed The Juilliard School with a $2,005,000 unrestricted contribution in 2025, showing that its support reaches elite arts education as well as museums and medical centers. Alongside those flagship awards, it made smaller unrestricted gifts to organizations such as The Norton Museum of Art, The Society of the Four Arts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, and Palm Beach Zoo, indicating that local Palm Beach institutions sit beside national beneficiaries in the portfolio. Its recent grantmaking is notable for repetition: the same institutions reappear across years, often with unrestricted support rather than project-specific funding. That combination suggests a funder oriented toward ongoing institutional strength rather than short-term program grants.
In the arts, The John a Moran Charitable Trust gave $2,175,000 to The Metropolitan Museum of Art for unrestricted support in 2025, and it also supported The Juilliard School with $2,005,000 the same year. Earlier gifts included $486,000 to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023 and $250,000 in 2024, which shows sustained support for major cultural institutions. The trust’s health-related giving includes a $2,106,750 unrestricted contribution to the John a Moran Eye Center in 2025. That gift places ophthalmology research and clinical care among the funder’s core interests. Conservation also appears in the portfolio. In 2025, the trust gave $1,005,000 to The Nature Conservancy for unrestricted support. Local community and youth-serving organizations are also part of the mix, including a $125,000 gift to Boys and Girls Clubs of Pb County and a $100,000 gift to The Society of the Four Arts.
Typical grants cluster at a median of $25,000, with a lower quartile of $13,750 and an upper quartile of $100,000. The recent record includes both very large institutional awards and repeated mid-sized unrestricted gifts, which points to a portfolio that blends flagship support with smaller ongoing awards. Several recipients recur across years, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Juilliard School, The Wood River Community YMCA, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art again across 2023, 2024, and 2025. The trust is a private charitable trust, and the grants are described as unrestricted or unrestrictive contributions.
$8M
$16.4M
$15.7M
$8.2M
Most grants fall between $14K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 24% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Notable grantees: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, John A. Moran Eye Center, The Juilliard School, The Nature Conservancy, The Norton Museum of Art
The trust gives primarily in the United States, with all 55 recent grants landing there. By count, New York is the top state for giving, while 45% of grants go to recipients in Florida. Recent recipient cities include New York, NY; West Palm Beach, FL; Palm Beach, FL; Salt Lake City, UT; and Washington, DC. The pattern shows a mix of national institutions and Palm Beach-area organizations rather than a single local footprint.
Recent grants go to major museums, performing arts education, ophthalmology research and clinical care, conservation groups, and local Palm Beach cultural and youth organizations. Examples in the record include The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Juilliard School, the John a Moran Eye Center, and The Nature Conservancy.
The median recent grant is $25,000. The lower quartile is $13,750 and the upper quartile is $100,000, showing that many gifts are modest relative to the trust’s largest awards.
Yes. The recent grants are repeatedly described as unrestricted or unrestrictive contributions, including gifts to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Juilliard School, and The Nature Conservancy. That suggests the trust often provides flexible support rather than project-specific funding.
Yes. The Metropolitan Museum of Art appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; The Juilliard School appears in 2023 and 2025; and The Wood River Community YMCA appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That recurrence points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off grants.
By count, New York is the top state for grants. Florida also receives a large share, with 45% of grants going to recipients in the trust’s headquarters state.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $2,175,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| JOHN A MORAN EYE CENTER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,106,750 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $2,005,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,005,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF PB COUNTY | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $125,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE BLUEBIRD MISSION | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE PALM BEACH ZOO | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SUN VALLEY LIBRARY | SUN VALLEY, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| INCLUSION MATTERS | SHERMAN OAKS, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW DAWN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER | MILWAUKEE, WI | $35,750 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| PETA | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY YMCA | KETCHUM, ID | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW CANAAN YMCA | NEW CANAAN, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE HUMANE SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE HUMANE FARMING ASSOCIATION | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE GUARDIAN HEALS | GREENWICH, CT | $22,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SPCA OF WESTCHESTER | BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY | $20,250 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| PEGGY ADAMS RESCUE LEAGUE | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL CHURCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| PRIMECARE | WATERBURY, CT | $12,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE OCEAN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| WOLF CONSERVATION CENTER | SOUTH SALEM, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SOUTH FLORIDA PBS | BOYNTON BEACH, FL | $7,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW CANAAN LAND TRUST | NEW CANAAN, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NAMI WESTCHESTER INC | TARRYTOWN, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| PERSON TO PERSON | DARIEN, CT | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| LUCKY DOG REFUGE | STAMFORD, CT | $4,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER | NEW CANAAN, CT | $4,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| YONKERS ANIMAL SHELTER | YONKERS, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| ZOE'S HOUSE INC | READING, PA | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| WAVENY PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW CANAAN, CT | $750 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS | PALM BEACH, FL | $100,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY YMCA | KETCHUM, ID | $50,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTIVE CONTRIBUTION |
| PEGGY ADAMS RESCUE LEAGUE | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF PB COUNTY | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE IRELAND FUNDS AMERICA EMERALD | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| HOPE FOR DEPRESSION RESEARCH FDN | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| SUN VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL | KETCHUM, ID | $2,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | NEW YORK, NY | $486,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE NORTON MUESEUM OF ART | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $125,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| PALM BEACH ZOO & CONSERVA | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $100,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY YMCA | KETCHUM, ID | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTIVE CONTRIBUTION |
| SOUTH FLORIDA PBS | CORAL GABLES, FL | $25,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
| VENETIAN HERITAGE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION |
JOHN A MORAN EYE CENTER
$2,106,750UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL
$2,005,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
THE BLUEBIRD MISSION
UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
THE PALM BEACH ZOO
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SUN VALLEY LIBRARY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
INCLUSION MATTERS
$40,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NEW DAWN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
$35,750UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY YMCA
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NEW CANAAN YMCA
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
THE HUMANE SOCIETY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
THE GUARDIAN HEALS
$22,500UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
WIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
PEGGY ADAMS RESCUE LEAGUE
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$12,500UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
PRIMECARE
$12,500UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOUTH FLORIDA PBS
$7,500UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NEW CANAAN LAND TRUST
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NAMI WESTCHESTER INC
$5,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
LUCKY DOG REFUGE
$4,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
NEW CANAAN NATURE CENTER
$4,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
YONKERS ANIMAL SHELTER
$4,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
ZOE'S HOUSE INC
$2,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
WOOD RIVER COMMUNITY YMCA
$50,000UNRESTRICTIVE CONTRIBUTION
THE IRELAND FUNDS AMERICA EMERALD
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SUN VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
$2,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
THE NORTON MUESEUM OF ART
$125,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL
$100,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
PALM BEACH ZOO & CONSERVA
$100,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION
SOUTH FLORIDA PBS
$25,000UNRESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION