the Pew Charitable Trusts

Pew was established by the merging of several charitable trusts that had been established between 1948 and 1979. The original trusts were created by J. Howard Pew, Mary Ethel Pew, Joseph N. Pew Jr., and Mabel Pew Myrin, the adult sons and daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/07/us/pew-charitable-trusts-will-become-public-charity.html|title=Pew Charitable Trusts Will Become Public Charity|date=2003-11-07|access-date=2023-05-01|website=The New York Times}} Honoring their parents' religious conviction that good works should be done quietly, the original Pew Memorial Foundation{{cite web|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/history |title=History of The Pew Charitable Trusts |publisher=Pewtrusts.org |access-date=2014-04-24}} was a grantmaking organization that made donations anonymously.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/09/us/pew-charitable-trusts-extend-reach.html|title=Pew Charitable Trusts Extend Reach|date=1985-06-09|access-date=2023-05-01|website=The New York Times}}

In 1956, the foundation became the Pew Memorial Trust, based in Philadelphia, the donors' hometown. Between 1957 and 1979, six other trusts were created, representing the personal and complementary philanthropic interests of the four siblings.{{cite book |last=Bushouse |first=Brenda K. |title=Universal Preschool: Policy Change, Stability, and The Pew Charitable Trusts |date=March 5, 2009 |publisher=SUNY Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U-8e47YCXFYC&q=pew+Memorial+Foundation&pg=PA104 |isbn=9780791493878 }}{{cite web|url=http://coat.ncf.ca/our_magazine/links/53/pew.html |title=J. Howard Pew (1882-1971) |publisher=Coat.ncf.ca |date=2004-01-22 |access-date=2013-08-27}}{{cite web|url=https://www.philanthropy.com/article/big-change-afoot-at-pew-trusts/|title=The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Big Change Afoot at Pew Trusts|date=2003-11-13|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.philanthropy.com}} Assets held by the seven trusts totaled $6 billion as of 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/pew-charitable-trusts-susan-urahn-new-ceo-chief-executive-officer-20200319.html|title=Philly's Pew Charitable Trusts, a $6 billion philanthropy, names new CEO|date=2020-03-19|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.inquirer.com|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer}} The Trusts continues to be based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with offices in Washington, D.C., London, and Brussels.{{cite web|url=https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/p-grants/pew-charitable-trusts|title=Pew Charitable Trusts|date=2021-08-25|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.insidephilanthropy.com|publisher=Inside Philanthropy}}

Although The Pew Charitable Trusts is non-partisan and non-ideological, Joseph Pew and his sons were politically conservative. The modern day organization works to encourage responsive government and support scientific research on a wide range of issues, including global marine conservation, correction reform, and biomedical research. Pew also conducts research and supports civic and cultural projects in Philadelphia.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/pew-rebecca-rimel-retiring-20190402.html|title=Rimel to Retire as Head of The Pew Charitable Trusts|date=2019-04-02|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.inquirer.com|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer}}{{cite web|url=https://www.campdenfb.com/article/pew-charitable-trusts-serving-public-trust|title=The Pew Charitable Trusts: Serving the Public Trust|date=2019-11-18|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.campdenfb.com|publisher=Campden FB}}

Early priorities of the Pew Memorial Trust included cancer research, the American Red Cross, and a pioneering project to assist historically black colleges. Later beneficiaries included American Enterprise Institute, Brookings Institution, American Liberty League, John Birch Society, Oceana, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.{{cite book |last=Diamond |first=Sara| author-link = Sara Diamond (sociologist) |title=Roads to Dominion: Right-Wing Movements and Political Power in the United States |url=https://archive.org/details/roadstodominionr00diamrich |url-access=registration |year=1995 |publisher=Guilford Press |location=New York}}{{cite book |last=Colby |first=Gerald| author-link =Gerard Colby |author2=Charlotte Dennett |title=Thy Will Be Done: The Conquest of the Amazon: Nelson Rockefeller and Evangelism in the Age of Oil |year=1995 |publisher=Harper Collins |location=New York}}

In 2004, Pew applied to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to change its status from a private foundation to a public charity in order to operate its own programs more efficiently.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/pew-rebecca-rimel-retiring-20190402.html|title=Rimel to Retire as Head of The Pew Charitable Trusts|date=2019-04-02|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.inquirer.com|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/07/us/pew-charitable-trusts-will-become-public-charity.html|title=Pew Charitable Trusts Will Become Public Charity|date=2003-11-07|access-date=2023-05-01|website=The New York Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/magazine/spring-2015-stronger-together/|title=Stronger Together|date=2015-04-01|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.philanthropyroundtable.org|publisher=Philanthropy Roundtable}} Since that change it can now raise funds freely and devote up to 5% of its budget to lobbying the public sector.

In 2011, the Pew family was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of its support for The Pew Charitable Trusts.{{cite web|url=https://www.medalofphilanthropy.org/the-pew-family/#1486495216507-5143a7a8-01f5f4be-fc318238-8019|title=The Pew Family|date=2017-05-22|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.medalofphilanthropy.org|publisher=The Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2011-10-19/2011-carnegie-medal-of-philanthropy-announced|title=2011 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy Announced|date=2011-10-19|access-date=2023-05-01|website=www.bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg}}

According to the Pew Trusts' website as of 2024, four of the eleven Directors serving on the Board are named Pew.{{cite web|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/leadership |title=Leadership |publisher=The Pew Charitable Trusts |access-date=2024-01-26}}

Pew operates several projects focused on specific public policy issues: modernization of the civil legal system,{{Cite web|publisher=The Pulse|title=Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga Launches Study of Local Civil Legal System|url=http://www.chattanoogapulse.com/local-news/political-news/pew-charitable-trusts-community-foundation-of-greater-chatta/|access-date=2023-04-23|website=www.chattanoogapulse.com|date=21 November 2022 }} Philadelphia local public policies;{{Cite web|title=As pandemic bites, U.S. cities use data to fight race and income gaps|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-race-data/feature-as-pandemic-bites-u-s-cities-use-data-to-fight-race-and-income-gaps-idUSL8N2T81QQ|access-date=2023-04-23|website=www.reuters.com|publisher=Reuters}}{{Cite news|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|title=Philadelphia's City Center Sees Resurgence in Housing, Economic Activity|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/philadelphias-center-city-sees-resurgence-in-housing-economic-activity-11670509404|access-date=2023-04-23|newspaper=WSJ |last1=Calvert |first1=Scott }} justice and public safety;{{Cite web|publisher=Times-Picayune|title=Our Views: Prison reforms show bipartisan efforts can lead to real progress|url=https://www.nola.com/opinions/our_views/article_cdf7c81a-5af9-11ed-9caf-db44f78efd1a.html|access-date=2023-04-23|website=www.nola.com|date=6 November 2022 }} student loans; ocean and fisheries protection;{{Cite web|title=Report: Over 100,00 fishing-related deaths occur annually|url=https://apnews.com/article/business-philanthropy-fish-accidents-child-labor-4198acc313994520f922fa158e4e0dad|access-date=2023-04-23|website=apnews.com|date=3 November 2022 |publisher=AP News}} conservation of public lands and rivers; consumer finance and the greater economy;{{Cite web|publisher=American Banker|title=Wells Fargo launches small-dollar loan as an alternative to overdrafts|url=https://www.americanbanker.com/news/wells-fargo-launches-small-dollar-loan-as-an-alternative-to-overdrafts|access-date=2023-04-23|website=www.americanbanker.com|date=16 November 2022 }} government reform;{{Cite news|title=States have historic amounts of leftover cash|url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2022/08/25/states-have-historic-amounts-of-leftover-cash|access-date=2023-04-23|newspaper=The Economist}} and public health issues.{{Cite web|title=Bipartisan bill on antibiotics faces crucial stretch|url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3578483-bipartisan-bill-on-antibiotics-faces-crucial-stretch/|access-date=2023-04-23|website=thehill.com|date=August 2022 |publisher=The Hill}}{{Cite web|title=Projects|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects|access-date=2021-05-23|website=www.pewtrusts.org}}

The Trusts, with other groups, backed an effort to create marine protected areas in the Pacific Ocean, near the Mariana Islands.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/05/AR2009010501181.html?hpid=moreheadlines |title=Bush to Protect Three Areas in Pacific|author=Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post Staff Writer |newspaper=Washington Post |date=2009-01-06 |access-date=2014-04-24}} The protected area was officially designated in January 2009, and includes the Mariana Trench, the deepest ocean canyon in the world. Another marine protected area that the Trusts and other groups sought to protect is Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument which was protected by President Bush in 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/global-ocean-legacy |title=Global Ocean Legacy |publisher=Pewtrusts.org |access-date=2014-04-24}} and expanded by President Obama in 2016.[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obama-creates-largest-ocean-reserve-takes-heat-for-new-federal-decrees Obama creates largest ocean reserve, takes heat for new federal decrees] (August 27, 2016). Fox News. Retrieved August 27, 2016.

The Trusts also funds the Pew Research Center,{{Cite web |title=Pew Charitable Trusts |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Pew_Charitable_Trusts |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}} the third-largest think tank in Washington, D.C., after the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress.

The Trusts have worked closely with the Vera Institute of Justice on issues related to state correction policies in the Public Safety Performance Project.[https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/public-safety-performance-project Public Safety Performance]. Retrieved 2010-02-22. In 2008, Pew reported that more than one in 100 adults in the United States is in jail or prison, an all-time high. The cost to state governments is nearly $50 billion a year and the federal government $5 billion more. The report compiled and analyzed data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics and Federal Bureau of Prisons and each state's department of corrections.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/02/28/ST2008022803016.html New High In U.S. Prison Numbers] by N.C. Aizenman. February 29, 2008. Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-02-22.[https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/0001/01/01/one-in-100 One in 100: Behind Bars in America 2008]. Released February 28, 2008. Retrieved 2010-02-22.

Pew reported in 2009 that "explosive growth in the number of people on probation or parole has propelled the population of the American corrections system to more than 7.3 million, or 1 in every 31 U.S. adults." "One in 31: The Long Reach of American Corrections"[https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2009/03/02/one-in-31-the-long-reach-of-american-corrections Corrections and Public Safety]. Retrieved 2010-02-22. examined the scale and cost of prison, jail, probation and parole in each of the 50 states, and provides a blueprint for states to cut both crime and spending by reallocating prison expenses to fund stronger supervision of the large number of offenders in the community.

Pew supported police reforms enacted by the state of Washington in 2021. Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) signed 12 separate police reform bills that would, among other things, require officers to intervene when they see another officer using excessive force.{{Cite web|title=Washington State Enacts Far-Reaching Police Accountability Package|url=https://pew.org/3bF0VSf|access-date=2021-05-23|website=pew.org|date=21 May 2021 }}

"Based on data, science, and non-partisan research, Pew works to reduce hidden risks to the health, safety, and well-being of American consumers."{{cite web|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/how-we-work/approach |title=Approach - The Pew Charitable Trusts |publisher=Pewtrusts.org |access-date=2019-11-22}} One program, the Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences, is intended to support promising early and mid-career scientists investigating human health, both basic and clinical.{{cite web|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars/directory-of-pew-scholars |title=Pew Scholars Directory - Home |publisher=Directory.pewscholars.org |access-date=2013-08-27}} The awards provide flexible support ($240,000 over a four-year period). Grantees are encouraged to be entrepreneurial and innovative in their research.{{cite web|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/pew-biomedical-scholars/program-details |title=Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences |publisher=Pewtrusts.org |access-date=2014-04-24}}

In October 2020, the Trusts unveiled research on naloxone, the lifesaving overdose reversal drug. Pew researchers concluded that expanded access to naloxone saves lives and put forth several recommendations on how to do so, including options such as co-prescribing naloxone with opioids.{{Cite web|last=Carey|first=Liz|date=2020-10-22|title=PEW researchers: expanded naloxone access can curb opioid deaths|url=https://homelandprepnews.com/stories/56677-pew-researchers-expanded-naloxone-access-can-curb-opioid-deaths/|access-date=2020-10-29|website=Homeland Preparedness News}}

During the rollout of vaccines for the COVID-19 pandemic, Pew supported the CDC's determination that it was acceptable to leave some vaccine vials partially unused (potentially "wasting vaccines") in order to vaccinate teenagers, which represented a policy shift by the CDC regarding the efficient use of vaccines.{{Cite web|title=CDC Urges Docs to Puncture Vaccine Vial—Even for Just One Person|url=https://pew.org/3fmLe2S|access-date=2021-05-23|website=pew.org|date=14 May 2021 }}

According to the 2019 Consolidated Financial Statements, as of 30 June 2019, the Trusts owned over US$6.7 billion in assets. For the 12 months ending on that date, total revenues were about US$374 million and total expenses were about $341 million, of which about $6.6 million were for fundraising expenses.{{cite web|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2019/12/financialstatements_pct_2019.pdf |title=Consolidated Financial Statements and Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants | publisher=The Pew Charitable Trusts |access-date=2020-07-01}}

According to IRS Form 990, filed for 2019 by Pew Charitable Trusts, the organization distributed $142,114,349 in grants in 2019; an increase from 2018, when it distributed $136,947,523 in grants.{{cite web |url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2021/04/thepewcharitabletrustsyear2020form990.pdf |title= Pew Charitable Trusts IRS Form 990 for 2019}}

The Trusts have supported the relocation of the famed Barnes Art Collection from its longtime home in Lower Merion, PA, to Center City. This has been controversial in the art world. The Barnes Foundation was established by Albert C. Barnes in 1922 to "promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts and horticulture."{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.barnesfoundation.org/about |publisher=Barnes Foundation |date=15 August 2017 |orig-year=5 July 2017 |access-date=22 January 2020}}

According to the Barnes Foundation:{{Cite web |title=About the Collection |url=https://www.barnesfoundation.org/whats-on/collection |publisher=Barnes Foundation |date=14 January 2020 |orig-year=31 July 2017 |access-date=22 January 2020}}

The Barnes is home to one of the world's largest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings, with especially deep holdings by Renoir, Matisse, and Picasso", as well as important examples of African art, Native American pottery and jewelry, Pennsylvania German furniture, American avant-garde painting, and wrought-iron metalwork.

Opponents of relocating the collection to a new museum along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway said that move violates Barnes's will that the collection stay intact at its original location and not be loaned, transferred or sold. Columnist Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote in 2010, "It is perfectly clear exactly what Barnes specified in his will. It was drawn up by the best legal minds. It is clear that what happened to his collection was against his wishes."{{cite web|url=https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/fact-sheets/2010/01/20/faq-on-the-pew-charitable-trusts-role-in-the-barnes-foundation-move |title=FAQ on The Pew Charitable Trusts' Role in the Barnes Foundation Move |publisher=The Pew Charitable Trusts |date=2011-01-14 |access-date=2013-08-27}} Yet the Barnes Foundation prevailed in a series of legal actions and the new museum opened on May 16, 2012. At the opening Barnes trustee and treasurer Stephen Harmelin noted, "There were financial challenges to be faced...questions about how the foundation as it existed could go on with its mission, worries about the safety and integrity of the collection in the long run," he said. "We were convinced that the only change that could save the Barnes was to redouble our commitment to its mission, to reach out more widely than ever before, to build, to expand and to move the collection to a more accessible location."{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/contested-barnes-foundation-artworks-open-in-new-philly-location-1.1139748 | publisher=CBC News | title=Contested Barnes Foundation artworks open in new Philly location | date=2012-05-17}}

The Trusts became involved with the Barnes Collection when the foundation overseeing the art collection had serious financial trouble, ultimately contributing more than $20 million for a new museum. Reporter Roberta Smith of the New York Times said of the new building, "Against all odds, the museum that opens to the public on Saturday is still very much the old Barnes, only better."{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/arts/design/the-barnes-foundation-from-suburb-to-city.html |work=The New York Times |first=Roberta |last=Smith |title=A Museum, Reborn, Remains True to Its Old Self, Only Better | date=2012-05-17}}

The controversy involving Pew, other donors, the Barnes trustees and the collection was the subject of a documentary film The Art of the Steal. The Trusts did not participate in the film. Rebecca Rimel, then head of The Pew Charitable Trusts, said they believed the film would not be fair.{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030405778.html |newspaper=The Washington Post | first=Philip |last=Kennicott |title='The Art of the Steal' highlights one-sided nature of some documentaries | date=2010-03-07}}

Between 2011 and 2015, The Pew Charitable Trusts gave $4.7 million to the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), earmarked specifically for the foundation's criminal justice reform project.{{Cite news|url=https://www.desmogblog.com/2017/12/14/pew-charitable-trusts-funding-climate-denial-texas-public-policy-foundation-hartnett-white|title=Why Has One of the World's Biggest Funders of Environmental Conservation Also Given $4 Million to a Climate Denial Group?|work=DeSmogBlog|first=Graham|last=Readfearn|date=2017-12-14|access-date=2017-12-15}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.texasobserver.org/revealed-the-corporations-and-billionaires-that-fund-the-texas-public-policy-foundation/|title=Revealed: The Corporations and Billionaires that Fund the Texas Public Policy Foundation|first=Forrest|last=Wilder|date=2012-08-24|work=The Texas Observer|access-date=2017-12-15}}

• Pew Research Center

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official web site}}
• [https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects?status=active&sortBy=relevance&sortOrder=asc&page=1 Listing of Pew projects]

{{Authority control}}

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Category:1948 establishments in Pennsylvania

Category:Market Street (Philadelphia)

Category:Organizations established in 1948