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Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.9M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,392,727 (2022)
  • Total Assets: $130.9 million
  • Decision Time: Decisions made in early May (March cycle) or early November (September cycle)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $2,900,000 (most recent filing)
  • Geographic Focus: Central Florida (18 counties)
  • Number of Grants: 69 grants awarded in 2022

Contact Details

Address:
Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation
P.O. Box 40
Winter Park, FL 32790-0040

Physical Address:
329 Park Avenue N, Suite 329
Winter Park, FL 32789

Phone: 407-644-0555 ext. 103
Email: grants@geniusfoundation.org
Website: https://geniusfoundation.org

Overview

The Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation was established in 1959 by Jeannette Genius McKean in memory of her mother, Elizabeth Morse Genius (the daughter of Chicago industrialist Charles Hosmer Morse). The foundation holds approximately $130.9 million in assets and distributed $5,392,727 in grants during 2022. Since 1995, the foundation has awarded over $125 million to 115 organizations. The foundation's mission is "for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary or educational purposes, to promote the welfare of mankind and to the acquisition, production, preservation, collection, promotion, appreciation and exhibition of fine arts." The trustees follow the philanthropic wishes of founders Jeannette Genius McKean and Hugh Ferguson McKean, with a particular emphasis on arts, culture, education, and environmental conservation in Central Florida. The foundation maintains a strong relationship with the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, which it supports alongside other educational and cultural institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a bi-annual grant cycle with two application deadlines per year:

  • Spring Cycle: March 15 deadline for presentation at Annual Meetings in early May
  • Fall Cycle: September 15 deadline for presentation at Special Meeting of Trustees in early November

Funding uses include:

  • Project/Program support
  • Education/Outreach
  • General Operating Expenses
  • Capital Projects
  • Training/Capacity Building

Grant amounts range from a few thousand dollars to more than $1 million, with the 2022 cycle showing grants ranging from $500 to $2,900,000.

Priority Areas

Arts and Culture:

  • Support for the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
  • Arts education programs (e.g., $25,000 to Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools for art education)
  • Cultural institutions and performing arts (e.g., $100,000 to United Arts of Central Florida, $50,000 to Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts)

Education:

  • Universities and colleges (significant support to Rollins College including $750,000 for freshwater curricular and research initiative, $500,000 for Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program)
  • Educational institutions
  • Student-faculty collaborative research

Environmental/Scientific:

  • Freshwater natural resources conservation
  • Environmental studies and research

Other Priority Areas:

  • Religious purposes
  • Charitable purposes
  • Literary purposes
  • Public safety testing
  • Programs promoting the welfare of mankind

Geographic Focus: Grant purposes must benefit the Central Florida area, specifically these 18 counties: Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's explicit exclusions are not extensively documented, but based on their mission and guidelines:

  • Organizations not exempt under 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Organizations whose IRS Exemption Letter is more than 10 years old
  • Projects outside the Central Florida geographic area
  • Repetitive funding is discouraged (organizations may apply once per funding cycle each year, and can apply in consecutive years, but should be aware that receiving grants year after year is discouraged)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Harold A. Ward III - Chairman (also serves as honorary trustee of Rollins College)
  • Randolph J. Rush - President
  • Richard M. Strauss - Executive Vice President & Treasurer
  • Mary W. Christian - Trustee
  • R. Michael Strickland - Trustee
  • Richard O. Bladwin - Trustee

The assets of the organization are managed by the board of trustees, and the full Board reviews all proposals and makes funding decisions at scheduled Trustee Meetings.

Leadership Quotes

Harold A. Ward III, Chairman, on the foundation's environmental support: "It is a pleasure to support this project," regarding the $750,000 grant to Rollins College for freshwater curricular and research.

On educational partnerships: "We are pleased to support Rollins' Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program... With this new commitment, more students and professors will have the ability to work together to advance scholarly work."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility:

  • Organizations must be exempt from federal taxation under 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
  • A copy of the IRS Exemption Letter must be provided and dated no more than 10 years prior to the application date
  • The organization's focus must comply with the Foundation's mission statement
  • Grant purpose must be for the benefit of the Central Florida area (18-county region)

Submission Process:

  • A Letter of Intent is not required, but an email to grants@geniusfoundation.org stating intent to submit a proposal is suggested
  • Proposals may be emailed to grants@geniusfoundation.org or mailed to the address above
  • All grant proposals are screened for completeness, accuracy, and consistency with stated guidelines

Application Review:

  • Grant review meetings or site visits may be scheduled at the discretion of the Board of Trustees
  • The full Board reviews all proposals and makes funding decisions at scheduled Trustee Meetings

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle:

  • Deadline: March 15 at 5:00 PM
  • Trustee Meeting: Early May
  • Decision communicated following the May meeting

Fall Cycle:

  • Deadline: September 15 at 5:00 PM
  • Trustee Meeting: Early November
  • Decision communicated following the November meeting

Organizations can apply for either funding cycle once each year.

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, based on available data:

  • The foundation awarded 69 grants in 2022
  • Over the period from 1995 to 2022, over $125 million has been awarded to 115 organizations
  • This suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with a core group of organizations while also supporting new grantees

Reapplication Policy

  • An organization may apply for either of the two funding cycles once each year
  • Organizations may apply in consecutive years
  • However, applicants should be aware that repetitive funding is discouraged
  • The foundation prefers to support a diverse range of organizations rather than providing ongoing annual support to the same recipients

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's history and funding patterns, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Geographic Alignment: Clear demonstration that the grant purpose will benefit residents of the designated 18-county Central Florida region. Projects must show direct impact in Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, or Volusia counties.

2. Mission Alignment: Strong fit with the foundation's mission focusing on arts, culture, education, environmental conservation, or other charitable purposes that promote the welfare of mankind. The foundation has a particular interest in:

  • Fine arts acquisition, production, preservation, collection, promotion, appreciation, and exhibition
  • Educational institutions and student-faculty collaborative research
  • Environmental conservation, particularly freshwater natural resources

3. Institutional Strength: Evidence of organizational capacity and sustainability. The foundation has supported major institutions like Rollins College, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum, United Arts of Central Florida, and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

4. Project Scale: Well-defined projects with clear outcomes. Recent grants suggest the foundation considers both:

  • Large transformational gifts ($500,000 - $750,000+ for major initiatives)
  • Moderate program support ($25,000 - $100,000 for specific programs)
  • Smaller focused projects (grants as low as $500)

5. Quality of Life Impact: Demonstrated contribution to the quality of life in Central Florida through arts, education, culture, or environmental stewardship.

6. Founders' Vision: Alignment with the philanthropic wishes of Jeannette Genius McKean and Hugh Ferguson McKean, who had particular interests in arts (especially the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany at the Morse Museum), education (particularly at Rollins College), and environmental conservation (freshwater resources).

7. Complete and Accurate Applications: Proposals must include all required documentation, particularly a current IRS exemption letter (dated within 10 years), and demonstrate consistency with stated guidelines.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is crucial: Your project must clearly benefit one or more of the 18 designated Central Florida counties. Be explicit about geographic impact.

  • Two annual chances to apply: With March 15 and September 15 deadlines, plan strategically for which cycle best fits your project timeline and organizational readiness.

  • Wide funding range enables diverse requests: The foundation funds everything from $500 projects to million-dollar initiatives. Scale your request appropriately to your project's scope and organizational capacity.

  • Repetitive funding is discouraged: If you've received a grant previously, frame your next request as a distinct project or program phase rather than ongoing operational support. The foundation prefers to support variety over continuous funding.

  • Long-term relationships matter: The foundation has awarded $125 million to just 115 organizations since 1995, suggesting they value sustained relationships with proven partners while remaining open to new applicants.

  • Arts, education, and environment are sweet spots: The foundation's history shows particular strength in supporting cultural institutions, higher education (especially Rollins College), and freshwater conservation initiatives. Proposals in these areas with strong Central Florida connections are particularly competitive.

  • Consider suggesting an email of intent: While not required, the foundation suggests emailing grants@geniusfoundation.org to state your intent to apply. This can open early communication and ensure your application is anticipated.

References

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