Pew Charitable Trusts to Become Independent Non-Profit (click here for PDF version)

Beginning January 1, 2004, The Pew Charitable Trusts (PCT) will reorganize as a public charity, transforming itself from a philanthropic collection of seven trusts. The effect of the change will create more flexibility in how the PCT funds and manages programs, and engages in partnerships with other organizations to further its mission of public service.

The Trusts’ seven internal programs have been reorganized into three issue specialty programs that will operate as distinct areas with appropriate staffing and budgets to accomplish their independent missions.

Those three areas are:

• Information – To provide the public and policy makers with research on key issues and trends in the public interest. The following projects are included in this program: The Pew Research Center for People and the Press; The Pew Global Attitudes Project: The Pew Internet and American Life Project; The Pew Hispanic Center; The Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life; and Stateline.org.
• Policy – To advance policy solutions on important issues facing the American people. The following policy initiatives are included: National Environmental Trust; Pew Center on Global Climate Change; Heritage Forest Campaign; Pew Oceans Commission; Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology; Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care; Genetics and Public Policy Center; Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth; National Institute for Early Education Research; and Trust for Early Education.
• Civic Life – This program will retain a focus for the Philadelphia region and support the arts, heritage, health and well being for civic life and communities.

A significant benefit for the PCT will be their ability to raise outside funds for projects that they will manage directly, versus funding projects that were managed by others, such as the Pew Institute for Ocean Science at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

In addition, they will be able to partner with other non-profit organizations and potentially manage the proceeds of that fundraising. The PCT, the Annenberg Foundation and the Lenfest Foundation have partnered to help raise $150 million to enable the Barnes Foundation to move an art collection to a new facility in Philadelphia. In filings to the IRS regarding the reorganization, PCT described a scenario whereby they would receive, hold and administer the collected funds to insure compliance with donor restrictions.

The most recent grants information indicates that PCT awarded more than $166 million to 287 non-profit organizations.

Additional information regarding The Pew Charitable Trusts can be found on the Foundation's website: http://www.pewtrusts.com/

UCLA Office of Corporate, Foundation and Research Relations
10920 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90024-6502