May Emma Hoyt Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,842,156 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Board meets as needed throughout the year
• Grant Range: $22,000 - $1,000,000 (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: Lawrence County, Pennsylvania only

Contact Details

• Website: www.hoytfoundation.com
• Phone: 724-924-8111
• Email: info@hoytfoundation.com
• Address: P.O. Box 788, New Castle, PA 16103
• Fax: 724-924-8111

Overview

The May Emma Hoyt Foundation is a private foundation established in 1962 following the death of May Emma Hoyt (1875-1962), daughter of industrialist Lewis Stiles Hoyt. With annual giving of approximately $1.8 million, the foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania through philanthropic initiatives. The foundation supports causes that benefit county residents through improved quality of life, health, employment, and education. In 2024, the foundation made 161 grants to organizations and individuals, demonstrating active and substantial engagement with the Lawrence County community. The foundation's legacy includes significant contributions to local institutions like Jameson Hospital, Westminster College, and the New Castle Community YMCA.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two distinct grant programs:

Organizational Grants: Variable amounts ($22,000 - $1,000,000+)

• Funds both capital improvements and operating expenses
• Open to Lawrence County nonprofit organizations
• Board reviews requests as needed throughout the year
• No fixed application deadline

Individual Scholarships: Variable amounts

• Post-secondary education support for Lawrence County residents
• Based on aptitude, achievement, financial need, and community commitment
• Application deadline: Second Friday in July
• Administered by First National Bank of Western Pennsylvania

Priority Areas

• Higher Education: Scholarships and institutional support for colleges
• Healthcare: Hospital facilities and healthcare programs
• Cultural Programs: Arts, museums, historical preservation
• Workforce Development: Manufacturing apprenticeships and job training
• Community Services: Libraries, YMCAs, social services
• Economic Development: Projects benefiting Lawrence County's economic growth
• Justice System Support: Drug treatment court, jail-to-jobs programs

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations or individuals outside Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
• Programs that do not directly benefit Lawrence County residents

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Charles Y. Mansell - Board President & General Counsel
• Debra A. Lynch - Director
• Floyd H. McElwain - Director
• Stephen R. Sant - Director (Board Trustee)
• David R. Silverman - Director
• Kristin E. Swab - Director
• Steven C. Warner - Director

Administrative Staff:

• Jaimie L. Kopp - Administrative Assistant

The foundation's mission remains true to founder May Emma Hoyt's belief in "supporting causes that benefited Lawrence County through better quality of life, health, employment, and education."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizational Grants:

• Contact the foundation directly at 724-924-8111 or info@hoytfoundation.com
• No formal application portal specified
• Phone conversations encouraged to discuss potential projects
• Board meets as needed throughout the year to review requests
• Foundation will consider any request that aims to improve welfare of Lawrence County residents

For Individual Scholarships:

• Download application from foundation website
• Submit by the second Friday in July
• Different applications for dependent and independent students
• Submit uniform 8.5" x 11" documents, one-sided
• Include financial information and academic records
• Recipients must reapply annually

Decision Timeline

• Organizational grants: Board meets as needed throughout the year
• Scholarship decisions: Following July application deadline
• Specific notification timelines not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

• Not publicly disclosed
• 161 total awards made in 2024
• 159 awards made in 2023

Reapplication Policy

• Scholarship recipients must reapply each year if continuing eligibility
• No restrictions mentioned for unsuccessful organizational grant applicants

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and stated mission:

• Geographic Alignment: Must clearly demonstrate direct benefit to Lawrence County residents
• Mission Alignment: Projects should improve quality of life, health, employment, or education
• Community Impact: Recent large grants ($400,000-$1,000,000) have gone to transformational community projects
• Challenge Grant Potential: Foundation has used challenge grants to leverage additional community support
• Diverse Project Types: Foundation funds both capital projects and operating expenses
• Strong Local Partnerships: Many successful grants involve established Lawrence County institutions
• Clear Community Need: Projects addressing workforce development, healthcare access, and education have been priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation exclusively serves Lawrence County, PA - geographic alignment is non-negotiable
• With $1.8+ million in annual giving and 161 grants in 2024, the foundation is an active, accessible funder
• Direct phone contact is encouraged - call 724-924-8111 to discuss your project before applying
• The foundation funds both large transformational projects ($1M+) and smaller programmatic grants ($22,000+)
• Board meets throughout the year, suggesting a rolling application process for organizational grants
• Foundation has a broad definition of community benefit, considering "any request that aims to improve welfare of Lawrence County residents"
• Challenge grants have been used to maximize community impact and leverage additional funding

References

• Hoyt Foundation Official Website (www.hoytfoundation.com) - Accessed March 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - May Emma Hoyt Foundation Form 990-PF filings - Accessed March 2026
• "All Aboard Ellwood Receives $400,000 Pledge from Hoyt Foundation" - Ellwood City Ledger, July 2024
• Instrumentl Foundation Profile - May Emma Hoyt Foundation - Accessed March 2026
• Charity Navigator Profile - May Emma Hoyt Foundation - Accessed March 2026
• Foundation Directory Online - May Emma Hoyt Foundation Profile - Accessed March 2026
• Westminster College Press Release - "$1 Million Challenge Grant from Hoyt Foundation" - Accessed March 2026