The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust)
Bryn Mawr, PA, US
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501(c)3
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EIN
23-2985234
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•
Private Foundation
Regional Funder
Bryn Mawr, PA, US
•
501(c)3
•
EIN
23-2985234
•
•
Private Foundation
Regional Funder
AI Summary
The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) is a 501(c)(3) grantmaker that paid $6M across 372 grantees in filing year 2025. It does not accept unsolicited proposals and makes grants by invitation only; nonprofits can explore warm-introduction pathways via Impala's Funder Prospecting.
Cause Areas
1
Philanthropy
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Explore this org's ecosystem
See top causes for this funder's grantees, who else funds them, and their grants.
Grantee
Total Funding
Funding Share
THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh, PA
$530K
3%
GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK
DUQUESNE, PA
$456.1K
2%
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
Philadelphia, PA
$200K
1%
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Total No. of Grants
1
Median 1st year grant
$2K
Median 2nd year grant
$2K
Top 3 Grants
Matched grants only
Grantee
Grant Size
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- 372 grantees
- 3 board & team members
- 8 historic 990s & financials
- 6-year operating budget trend
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit an unsolicited grant proposal to The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust)?
No. The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) does not accept unsolicited proposals. Funding is by invitation only.
Where does The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) give?
The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) primarily gives to organizations located in Pennsylvania, District Of Columbia, and New York. These states represent the largest share of the foundation’s grantmaking by dollars awarded. Additional geographic details are available to registered users.
What size are The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust)’s grants?
The largest share of grants from The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) fall in the $1 million to $5 million range. The median first-year grant is about $2,000. More detailed grant size data is available to registered users.
How many grants does The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) make each year?
In 2024, The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) awarded about 1 grants, totaling nearly $4.5 million. More detailed grant metrics are available to registered users.
Who did The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) fund recently?
In 2024, The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) awarded grants to about 370 grantees. Recent grantees include THE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, GREATER PITTSBURGH COMMUNITY FOOD BANK, and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. More detailed information on all recent recipients is available to registered users.
How do we apply to The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust)?
The Essential Foundation (F/K/A Aqua Charitable Trust) does not accept unsolicited proposals. Funding is by invitation only.