The JSM Charitable Trust concentrates on a small number of large, strategic grants focused on higher education and major civic/park projects. Grants are often capital- or program-support sized gifts to universities and to organizations that preserve and program prominent public spaces, with a clear emphasis on St. Louis-area institutions alongside select collegiate beneficiaries elsewhere. The foundation appears willing to make repeat investments in core partners and to use intermediaries for programmatic initiatives.
Highly concentrated giving: few but very large grants, including repeat gifts to the same institutions; mix of local/regional focus (St. Louis civic institutions) with selective outside higher-education recipients. Predominantly capital or major program support rather than many small general operating grants.
The Jsm Charitable Trust makes unusually large general-support grants for a regional funder, with typical awards centered at $211,500 and several gifts above $1 million. The grant pattern points to a small set of long-term institutional partners rather than a broad transactional portfolio. Washington University in St. Louis received $3,250,000 in 2023 and $3,150,000 in 2024, showing repeated support at a major-gift scale. The trust also backed public-space institutions with seven-figure grants, including Forest Park Forever and Gateway Arch Park Foundation, alongside support for colleges and civic organizations. Its giving combines higher education, St. Louis civic infrastructure, and select nonprofit intermediaries, all through general support. That mix suggests a funder that favors flexible funding for organizations with established programs, capital needs, or citywide influence. The presence of repeat awards to the same institutions, plus grants to both local and out-of-state recipients, shows a structured but geographically selective approach to philanthropy.
Higher education is a core theme. The trust gave $905,000 in 2024 to Davis & Elkins College and $200,000 in 2024 to Scripps College, alongside repeat support for Washington University in St. Louis. Civic and cultural places are another clear priority: Forest Park Forever received $1,865,000 in 2024, while the Gateway Arch Park Foundation received $1,060,000 in 2024. The foundation also supports youth and community-serving organizations, including $250,000 to Concordance Academy and $100,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St Louis. In addition, it uses intermediary and policy-oriented vehicles, such as the $2,000,000 general-support grant to New Venture Fund.
Grant sizes are large: the 25th percentile is $100,000, the median is $211,500, and the 75th percentile is $943,750. The pattern is not one-off; several recipients appear in multiple years, including Washington University in St. Louis, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Forest Park Forever, Davis & Elkins College, Scripps College, Arch Grants, and the Alzheimer's Association. All of the listed recent grants are general support. The trust is not an individual-giving vehicle and does not make program-related investments. The recent record also suggests a small number of substantial awards rather than many small grants.
$18.2M
$1K
$18.2M
$18.2M
Most grants fall between $100K and $944K, with a median of $212K.
25th Percentile
$100K
Median
$212K
75th Percentile
$944K
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Notable grantees: Washington University, Forest Park Forever, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, New Venture Fund, Davis & Elkins College
The Jsm Charitable Trust gives primarily in the United States, with all 20 listed recent grants going to U.S. recipients. Missouri is the main recipient state, accounting for 65% of grants, and many awards go to organizations in St. Louis. Beyond that core, West Virginia appears through Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, and other recipient cities include Baltimore, Philadelphia, Claremont, and San Antonio. The geographic footprint is regional rather than national, but it reaches beyond the headquarters state when a grantee fits the trust’s priorities.
The trust most often supports universities, civic and park institutions, and select community organizations. Recent grants include major support for Washington University in St. Louis, Forest Park Forever, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Davis & Elkins College, and Scripps College, all labeled general support.
Typical awards are large. In the recent grant set, the 25th percentile is $100,000, the median is $211,500, and the 75th percentile is $943,750. Several grants are above $1 million.
Yes. Washington University in St. Louis received $3,250,000 in 2023 and $3,150,000 in 2024. Other repeat recipients include Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Forest Park Forever, Davis & Elkins College, Scripps College, Arch Grants, and the Alzheimer's Association.
Most grants go to Missouri recipients, and 65% of grants are awarded to organizations in the HQ state of Missouri. St. Louis appears frequently among the recipient cities, while the trust also funds groups in Elkins, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Claremont, and San Antonio.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $9,050,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $2,180,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BARNES JEWISH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,730,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOLLINS UNIVERSITY | ROANOKE, VA | $1,640,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,039,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EINSENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $600,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS ZOO | ST LOUIS, MO | $520,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE | ELKINS, WV | $450,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE METRO ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $390,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS | ST LOUIS, MO | $230,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $230,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLARK-FOX FAMILY FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARCH GRANTS | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $5,120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE | ELKINS, WV | $1,160,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER | ST LOUIS, MO | $575,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST LOUIS, MO | $303,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE METRO ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $275,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $235,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS LIFE SCIENCES PROJECT | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS ZOO | ST LOUIS, MO | $120,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BARNES JEWISH HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST LOUIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EINSENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $67,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARCH GRANTS | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $3,150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,865,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GATEWAY ARCH PARK FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $1,060,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE | ELKINS, WV | $905,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONCORDANCE ACADEMY | ST LOUIS, MO | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EINSENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $213,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ST LOUIS, MO | $210,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCRIPPS COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARCH GRANTS | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $3,250,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | BALTIMORE, MD | $2,000,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GATEWAY ARCH PARK FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $745,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOREST PARK FOREVER | ST LOUIS, MO | $460,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE | ELKINS, WV | $210,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCRIPPS COLLEGE | CLAREMONT, CA | $200,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER ST LOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARCH GRANTS | ST LOUIS, MO | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LA TRINIDAD METHODIST CHURCH | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $10,690 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$2,180,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,039,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EINSENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS
GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE METRO ST LOUIS
$390,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS
$230,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CLARK-FOX FAMILY FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$5,120,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$303,500GENERAL SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE METRO ST LOUIS
$275,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST LOUIS
$235,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST LOUIS LIFE SCIENCES PROJECT
$225,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST LOUIS ZOO
$120,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EINSENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS
$67,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$1,865,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EINSENHOWER FELLOWSHIPS
$213,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOREST PARK FOREVER
$460,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LA TRINIDAD METHODIST CHURCH
$10,690GENERAL SUPPORT