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Morris Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
$200K - $1.1M

Morris Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,647,049 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $25.2 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $200,000 - $1,071,000
  • Number of Grants: 5 (2023), 2 (2022)
  • Geographic Focus: West Virginia, primarily Gilmer County and Glenville area
  • Application Method: Invitation only / preselected organizations

Contact Details

Address: Glenville, West Virginia

EIN: 20-5509111

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

Morris Foundation Inc was established in 2007 as a private grantmaking foundation based in Glenville, West Virginia. With total assets of $25.2 million and annual giving of approximately $1.6 million, the foundation is closely associated with Ike Morris, founder of Waco Oil & Gas, and his family. The foundation's stated purpose is "to engage directly in the active conduct of charitable, additional construction and operation of a sports complex," with the primary goal of bringing state-of-the-art sports facilities to what the foundation describes as a "poor, depressed Appalachian community in central West Virginia." The foundation has been recognized as a significant philanthropic force in the Glenville area, with Ike Morris receiving The State Journal's Lifetime Achievement Award for his extensive charitable contributions throughout West Virginia. The foundation generates some revenue from concession sales at sports events.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed giving rather than formal grant programs. All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations.

Recent Grant Awards (2023):

  • Glenville State University Foundation: $1,071,262 for sports funding and scholarships
  • Glenville First Baptist Church: $250,787 for church projects
  • West Virginia University Foundation: $200,000 for sports funding and outreach fund

Priority Areas

The foundation's funding priorities are clearly focused on:

  • Sports Facilities and Programs: Primary focus on developing and supporting athletic facilities and programs in central West Virginia
  • Higher Education: Support for Glenville State University and West Virginia University, particularly athletics and scholarships
  • Local Community Infrastructure: Investment in community sports complexes and facilities
  • Faith-Based Organizations: Support for local churches, particularly in the Glenville area

The foundation has been instrumental in major capital projects including the Waco Center Arena (a $25 million, 3,000-seat facility at Glenville State) and the Sue Morris Sports Complex.

What They Don't Fund

Based on their track record:

  • Organizations outside West Virginia
  • Programs unrelated to sports, education, or faith-based initiatives
  • Organizations without a connection to the Glenville/Gilmer County area or the Morris family's philanthropic interests

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (each receiving $25,000 in compensation):

  • Ike Morris - Director and Chairman (Founder of Waco Oil & Gas, arrived in Glenville in 1962)
  • Betty Morris - Director and President
  • Marc Monteleone - Director and Secretary
  • Doug Morris - Director and Vice President
  • Shelly Smith - Director and Vice President
  • Sandra Pettit - Director and Treasurer
  • Michael Romano - Director

The foundation operates with zero employees, relying entirely on its board of directors for governance and decision-making.

Ike Morris has been described as one of West Virginia's most generous philanthropists, with his charitable work extending beyond the foundation through direct personal donations. He has stated he "lives through service and love for his state of West Virginia."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Morris Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. All grants are awarded through trustee discretion.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking pattern suggests they support organizations with which they have existing relationships and strong connections to the Glenville community. Their grants have consistently focused on:

  • Glenville State University Foundation: The Morris family has been longtime major donors to Glenville State, having previously donated millions for the Waco Center Arena (2011) and the Sue Morris Sports Complex (2007), with additional pledges for the Morris Family Health and Fitness Complex (expected 2026)
  • Local Glenville organizations: Churches and community institutions in Gilmer County
  • West Virginia University: Support for athletics and outreach programs

Organizations seeking to be considered for support would likely need:

  • A demonstrated connection to the Glenville/Gilmer County community
  • Focus on sports, athletics, education, or faith-based services
  • Existing relationships with the Morris family or their business interests
  • Projects aligned with improving infrastructure and opportunities in Appalachian communities

Decision Timeline

The foundation appears to make grant decisions on an irregular basis, with grants awarded annually but without a fixed schedule. Recent patterns show 2-5 grants made per year.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's invitation-only approach, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, their funding patterns reveal clear preferences:

  1. Geographic Connection: All known grants support West Virginia organizations, with strong preference for Gilmer County/Glenville area
  2. Sports and Athletics Focus: The foundation's mission explicitly prioritizes sports facilities and programs
  3. Educational Institutions: Both grants to universities were for sports-related purposes and scholarships
  4. Long-term Relationships: The foundation appears to make substantial, ongoing grants to institutions with which the Morris family has long-standing connections
  5. Capital Projects: The foundation has supported major infrastructure projects, particularly sports facilities
  6. Community Impact: Projects that serve what the foundation describes as "poor, depressed Appalachian" communities align with their mission

The foundation's relatively small number of grants (2-5 annually) and large average grant size ($200,000-$1,000,000+) suggests they prefer making significant impact through fewer, larger investments rather than numerous small grants.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Open Application Process: This foundation operates exclusively through trustee discretion with preselected organizations; there is no public application to submit
  • Geographic Focus: Glenville and Gilmer County are the primary beneficiaries, with some support for wider West Virginia institutions
  • Sports Priority: Athletic facilities, programs, and sports-related scholarships are the foundation's core funding area
  • Large Grant Sizes: When the foundation does make grants, they tend to be substantial (averaging $300,000+)
  • Relationship-Driven: The Morris family's personal connections to organizations appear to drive grantmaking decisions
  • Capital Projects: The foundation supports major infrastructure development, not just operating expenses
  • Long-term Commitment: Recipients like Glenville State University receive ongoing support across multiple years and projects

References

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