Varnum-de Rose Trust
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a variety of causes, primarily through general operating grants. Its mission reflects a commitment to education, health, arts and culture, and community service, as evidenced by its funding to institutions like Phillips Academy, Yale University, and various health charities. The foundation serves a diverse range of nonprofit organizations, including churches, educational institutions, and arts organizations, indicating a broad philanthropic focus. While it operates primarily in Pennsylvania, its grantmaking extends across multiple states, demonstrating a wider geographic engagement.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established nonprofits seeking general operating support in education, arts, health, or faith-based community work, especially organizations with ties to the foundation's current regional footprint (notably New York).
Good Fit
- • Clear institutional track record and IRS-registered charity status.
- • Requests framed as general operating support rather than narrowly restricted projects.
- • Existing relationship or introduction from a current grantee, trustee contact, or intermediary.
- • Geographic or programmatic alignment with the foundation's recent grantees (education, arts, health, churches).
Geography
Observed grants span ten states in the latest year, so giving is multi-state and not strictly local, though over half of dollars were concentrated in New York.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded about two dozen distinct recipients in the latest year across education, arts, health, and faith-based groups, and many of those recipients appear independent rather than affiliated.
New Applicants
Direct evidence shows a meaningful share of new recipients each year (about nine new grantees in the latest year), but the foundation states it only funds preselected applicants and provides no public submission route, so unfamiliar organizations can enter the portfolio but not via a public application.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
