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The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$0.9M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.2M
Decision Time
1mo

The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $22.5 million
  • Annual Giving: $902,700 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $170,000
  • Decision Time: Decisions made in May (approximately 1 month after April 1 deadline)
  • Geographic Focus: Within 100 miles of Coatesville, PA (secular grants); Savannah, GA and Coatesville, PA (evangelical grants)
  • Total Distributed Since 1989: Over $24 million

Contact Details

Physical Address:
Lukens Historic District
50 South First Avenue
Coatesville, PA 19320

Phone: 610-384-2666
Fax: 610-384-3396
Website: www.stewarthuston.org
Contact Form: Available on website (no public email provided)

Pre-Application Consultation:
Applicants are encouraged to call staff at 610-384-2666 to discuss their project before applying.

Overview

The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust was created in 1989 under the will of Stewart Huston (1898-1971), an executive of Lukens Steel Company in Coatesville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Active management began in 1991, and the Trust has since distributed over $24 million to charitable organizations. The Trust focuses on two distinct funding streams: Trinitarian Evangelical activities (60% of distributions) in Savannah, GA and Coatesville, PA areas, and secular charitable activities (40% of distributions) within 100 miles of Coatesville, PA. The Trust is particularly committed to supporting community organizations in its home base of Coatesville and the broader Chester County region, with emphasis on health and human services, education, the arts, historic preservation, and civic affairs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Secular Grant Program (40% of annual distributions - approximately $360,000)

  • Application Method: Online portal only (no paper applications)
  • Application Deadline: April 1 annually
  • Decision Timeline: Decisions made in May
  • Geographic Restriction: Within 100 miles of Coatesville, Pennsylvania
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $170,000

Trinitarian Evangelical Grant Program (60% of annual distributions - approximately $540,000)

  • Savannah, Georgia area: 50% of annual distributions
  • Coatesville, Pennsylvania and other areas: 10% of annual distributions
  • Application Deadlines: April 1 (spring session) and October 1 (fall session)
  • Definition: Includes activities carried on by Protestant churches

Priority Areas (Secular Grants)

Health and Human Services:

  • Community-based healthcare programs
  • Emotional and physical support for children, youth, adults, and seniors
  • Programs that strengthen families
  • Assistance for individuals with special needs
  • Employment opportunities and self-reliance programs

Civic Affairs:

  • Community quality of life projects
  • Educational opportunities, including for individuals with special needs
  • Programs promoting diversity and human understanding
  • Youth at-risk programs
  • Arts and cultural access
  • Historic preservation
  • Limited fundraising event support

Recent Grant Recipients Include:

  • National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum ($150,000 - 2013)
  • Chester County Food Bank
  • Chester County Historical Society
  • The Salvation Army
  • Family Services of Chester County
  • Habitat for Humanity of Chester County
  • Art Partners Studio
  • The Episcopal Academy
  • Good Works
  • Wings for Success

What They Don't Fund

Explicitly Excluded:

  • Individuals seeking financial support
  • Endowment purposes
  • Benefit event ticket purchases
  • Continuing operating deficits
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Intermediate or pass-through organizations (except United Way and Chester County Community Foundation)
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Political parties or candidates
  • Veterans groups
  • Labor groups
  • Local civic groups
  • Volunteer fire companies
  • Groups attempting to influence legislation

Important Restrictions:

  • The Trust will not establish permanent grant relationships
  • Cannot apply for new grants while receiving multi-year commitment payments
  • Cannot apply with unfulfilled prior reporting requirements
  • Trustees reserve the right to cancel future grant payments

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Charles L. Huston III
  • Harriet Cann Connolly
  • Elinor Huston Lashley
  • Scott G. Huston, Executive Director

Professional Services:

  • Legal: Morgan, Lewis & Brockius, LLP
  • Accounting: Rainer and Company, Inc.
  • Investments: Morgan Stanley

The Trust operates from the historic Lukens National Historic Landmark in Coatesville, maintaining strong ties to the region's industrial heritage and community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Secular Grants:

  1. Pre-Application (Optional but Recommended): Call staff at 610-384-2666 to discuss your project
  2. Create Account: Register on the Trust's website at www.stewarthuston.org
  3. Select Organization Type: Choose "Secular" when creating your profile
  4. Submit Online Application: Complete and submit by April 1 deadline
  5. Required Documents:
    • IRS tax-exempt letter (501(c)(3))
    • Current by-laws
    • Board of directors list
    • Most recent Form 990
    • Independent financial audit
    • Funding sources list
    • Strategic plan
    • Organizational budget and flow chart

For Trinitarian Evangelical Grants:

  • Same online application process
  • Two deadlines: April 1 (spring) and October 1 (fall)
  • Select "Trinitarian Evangelical" as organization type

Important: Paper proposals are no longer accepted. All applications must be submitted through the online portal.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: April 1 (secular grants)
  • Decisions Made: May
  • Notification Method: Email notification sent to applicant
  • Application Status: Can check status anytime by logging into online account
  • Grant Agreement: If approved, download, sign, and return grant agreement
  • Grant Check Distribution: After signed agreement is received
  • Final Report Due: 11 months after receiving grant check

Total timeline from application to decision: Approximately 1 month

Success Rates

The Trust made 67 awards in 2022. While the Trust acknowledges it "cannot approve funding for all applications - even when they fall within our guidelines," specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations whose applications are not approved may reapply the next calendar year. However, organizations currently receiving multi-year grant payments cannot submit new applications until their existing commitment is completed.

Application Success Factors

Funding Preferences (from Trust guidelines):

  • Not the Primary Funder: The Trust prefers not to be the major source of funding for an organization. They look favorably on organizations that already have commitments from other funding sources.
  • Community Involvement: High volunteer community involvement in programs is valued.
  • Demonstrated Need: Applications must show the program addresses a genuine community need and does not simply duplicate existing efforts.
  • Coatesville Connection: When granting to Chester County organizations, emphasis is placed on programs directly in or serving the city of Coatesville.

Preferred Types of Support:

  1. Specific project funding (most preferred)
  2. General operations
  3. Capital projects
  4. Equipment purchases
  5. Last-resort funding (selective, case-by-case basis)

Strategic Advice:

  • Carefully review the Trust's mission statement and grant guidelines before applying
  • Prepare comprehensive documentation - the required document list is extensive
  • Call staff before applying to discuss fit and viability
  • Ensure your organization demonstrates broader community support and diversified funding
  • Clearly articulate how your program addresses a unique community need
  • For Chester County applicants, emphasize connection to or impact on Coatesville

Geographic Specificity Matters: The Trust is particularly focused on its home community of Coatesville. Applications serving this area receive priority consideration within the Chester County region.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two Distinct Funding Streams: Understand whether you fit the Trinitarian Evangelical or Secular category - these are managed separately with different allocations (60% evangelical, 40% secular)
  • Geographic Boundaries Are Firm: Secular grants must serve communities within 100 miles of Coatesville, PA. Coatesville-focused projects receive priority.
  • Not a Sole Funder: Demonstrate diversified funding sources. The Trust prefers to be a contributing partner, not the primary funder.
  • Long-Term Relationships Discouraged: The Trust explicitly states they will not establish permanent grant relationships - plan for this to be time-limited support.
  • Comprehensive Documentation Required: Gather all required documents before starting the application. The list is extensive and includes strategic plans, audits, and Form 990.
  • Pre-Application Conversation Encouraged: Take advantage of the opportunity to call staff (610-384-2666) to discuss your project before applying.
  • One Shot Per Year: With only one deadline (April 1) and decisions in May, you have one opportunity annually for secular grants. Plan accordingly and submit a strong first application.

References

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