The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust concentrates on large, strategic gifts to environmental conservation, preservation of cultural heritage, and major civic cultural institutions. Its giving favors established national and New York–based organizations—often funding capital, endowment, or major program support—and includes both international preservation work and local public‑space projects. Grants are sizeable and targeted, with multiple repeat awards to a handful of flagship organizations.
The Robert W Wilson Charitable Trust stands out for pairing major environmental grants with support for cultural heritage, New York civic institutions, and select justice and policy organizations. Its largest recent award went to The Nature Conservancy for $8,655,718 in 2025, and the same year it also backed World Monuments Fund with $4,919,558. Those grants sit alongside substantial support for Central Park Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, New York Public Library, Metropolitan Opera, and Whitney Museum of American Art, showing a pattern of funding established institutions rather than one-off projects. The trust’s grantmaking also reaches beyond New York’s cultural sector. It has supported Wildlife Conservation Society and American Bird Conservancy for conservation work, and Vera Institute of Justice and Drug Policy Alliance for criminal justice and policy reform. A smaller but notable grant to Jbs Education Ltd Co University of Cambridge helped launch the Wilson Trust Natural Allies Environmental Leadership Program, indicating interest in leadership development connected to environmental work. Across these areas, the trust tends to fund general support, with several recipients appearing in multiple years.
Environmental conservation is a core theme. The trust gave $8,655,718 to The Nature Conservancy in 2025 and $1,819,484 to Environmental Defense Fund in 2025, along with earlier support for both groups, pointing to sustained backing for land, biodiversity, and environmental policy work. Cultural heritage and preservation form another major line of giving. In 2025, World Monuments Fund received $4,919,558 for general support, following a $1,755,194 grant in 2024. The trust also funded a Cambridge-based leadership program tied to environmental work through Jbs Education Ltd Co University of Cambridge. New York civic culture is another clear focus. Central Park Conservancy received $2,600,000 in 2025, New York Public Library received $2,000,000 in 2024 and $1,044,750 in 2025, and the Metropolitan Opera received $1,250,000 in 2025. The trust also backed the Whitney Museum of American Art with $1,100,000 in 2025.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, but the trust also makes much larger strategic awards in the millions. The recent record shows repeat support to several organizations across 2024 and 2025, including The Nature Conservancy, World Monuments Fund, Environmental Defense Fund, Central Park Conservancy, American Bird Conservancy, New York Public Library, and Drug Policy Alliance. The trust is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF and not an individual funder. The grants shown are predominantly general support, with one example of a named program launch at University of Cambridge.
$34.4M
$152.9M
$5.5M
$36.2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$50K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Robert W Wilson Charitable Trust.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 222 | $50.9M | 98.2% |
| 2 | United Kingdom |
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat flagship grantees; mix of national/international organizations and prominent New York institutions; emphasis on capital, endowment, and program support rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: The Nature Conservancy, World Monuments Fund, New York Public Library, Environmental Defense Fund, Central Park Conservancy
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in New York: 73% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and New York is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipients include New York, Brooklyn, Bronx, Long Island City, and Garrison, showing a strong metro-area footprint. Outside the U.S., the only recipient country appearing in the recent data is the UK, with grants to Cambridge-based Jbs Education Ltd Co University of Cambridge. The distribution is otherwise overwhelmingly domestic, with 161 U.S. grants and 2 UK grants.
The trust supports environmental conservation groups, cultural heritage and preservation organizations, major New York cultural institutions, urban parks, and some criminal justice and policy organizations. Recent grants include funding for The Nature Conservancy, World Monuments Fund, Central Park Conservancy, New York Public Library, Vera Institute of Justice, and Drug Policy Alliance.
Its grant-size distribution is relatively modest at the center, with a 25th percentile of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a 75th percentile of $50,000. The recent grants list also shows much larger strategic awards, including multiple gifts in the seven-figure range.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2024 and 2025, including The Nature Conservancy, World Monuments Fund, Environmental Defense Fund, Central Park Conservancy, American Bird Conservancy, New York Public Library, and Drug Policy Alliance. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than only one-time awards.
New York is the top state by grant count, and 73% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent New York recipients include organizations in New York City, Brooklyn, Bronx, Long Island City, and Garrison.
Yes. One recent grant of $357,229 went to Jbs Education Ltd Co University of Cambridge to design, develop, and start the Wilson Trust Natural Allies Environmental Leadership Program. That is the clearest example of its support for leadership development tied to environmental work.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 4 |
| $2.4M |
1.8% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $9,342,423 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHELBURNE FARMS | SHELBURNE, VT | $5,000,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $4,918,741 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD MONUMENTS FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $4,862,182 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $2,600,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE | BROOKLYN, NY | $2,075,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,624,425 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METROPOLITAN OPERA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $600,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY | NEW YORK, NY | $525,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $317,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN BIRD CONSERVANCY | THE PLAINS, VA | $280,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HASTINGS CENTER | GARRISON, NY | $145,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UJA FEDERATION NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $102,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| 54 BELOW INC | NEW YORK, NY | $90,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $68,750 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $52,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CIVIC AND CULTURAL RESTORATION | HOOSICK FALLS, NY | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $32,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ANTIDEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACLU FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INNER CITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CULTURAL HERITAGE FINANCE ALLIANCE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUNICIPAL ART SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUILLIARD SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MT SINAI HOSPITAL | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOTTOMLESS CLOSET | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATURE & CULTURE INTERNATIONAL | DEL MAR, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CEC ARTSLINK | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS AID SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DUKE LEMUR CENTER | DURHAM, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JAZZ FOUNDATION OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH INTERACTIVE | PLANTATION, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH LIFE AT DUKE | DURHAM, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HURRICANE ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL | CAMDEN, ME | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TENEMENT MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST ANN'S WAREHOUSE | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BONE MARROW CANCER FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF LACHAT | WESTON, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STEM TEACHERS NYC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOUR CHILDREN | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCENIC HUDSON | POUGHKEEPSIE, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARDSLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ARDSLEY, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSICIANS ON CALL | NASHVILLE, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRASSROOTS GROCERY | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
WORLD MONUMENTS FUND
$4,862,182GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
$1,624,425GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE
$68,750GENERAL SUPPORT
CIVIC AND CULTURAL RESTORATION
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ACLU FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CULTURAL HERITAGE FINANCE ALLIANCE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JUILLIARD SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DUKE LEMUR CENTER
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH INTERACTIVE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH LIFE AT DUKE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HURRICANE ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BONE MARROW CANCER FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF LACHAT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STEM TEACHERS NYC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SCENIC HUDSON
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ARDSLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GRASSROOTS GROCERY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT