Green is the grease The Pew Charitable Trusts uses to help not-for-profits run smoothly. Among the nation's largest private foundations, it was established in 1948 in memory of Sun Oil founder Joseph Pew and his wife Mary by four of their children. Seven trusts were created between 1948 and 1979 to promote public health and welfare and to strengthen communities. With about $5.6 billion in assets, it distributes more than $100 million in grants annually to charitable organizations in culture, education, environment, health and human services, public policy, and religion. The Pew Trusts has strong ties to Philadelphia and allocates a portion of its grants to programs in that area.