Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust

OVERVIEW: The Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust supports arts, culture, humanities, and the environment in Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford, Massachusetts.

FUNDING AREAS: Arts, culture, humanities, the environment

IP TAKE: This funder tends to support well-established organizations in Massachusetts.

PROFILE: Established in 1978, the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust resulted from the will of Helen Ellis that same year. Ellis was an artist and educator, as well as a longtime resident of Westport, Massachusetts. During her lifetime, Ellis was known as a skilled sculptor and supporter of artistic talent in her community. She was an assistant curator of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society and organized exhibitions to get the public involved with the museum. Managed by Bank of America’s Massachusetts office, the trusts grantmaking includes arts, culture, humanities, and the environment.

This funder regularly supports programs related to music, arts and crafts, conservation, wildlife, and historic preservation. This is a funder that provides program and project support to nonprofits. However, it does not provide capital campaigns, academic or medical research, religious or sectarian purposes, operating budgets, direct grants to individuals, or other private foundations. Past local support has gone to the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, New Bedford Whaling Museum, YMCA of Dartmouth, and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra Association.

Foundation grants often range from $1,500 to $5,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking prioritizes the Massachusetts towns of Westport, Dartmouth, and New Bedford. Of these towns, Westport is the highest priority. A majority of grants are for one-year periods.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual application deadline is September 15, and applicants can expect to hear back with a funding decision by December 31. Grantseekers must use the Bank of America online system to apply for a grant. Direct general questions to the staff at ma.grantmaking@ustrust.com or 866-778-6859.

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