Leo W Seal United Methodist Church Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $836,807
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $19,000 - $238,000
• Geographic Focus: Mississippi United Methodist organizations

Contact Details

• Phone: 504-599-2191
• Address: 701 Poydras St Ste 3100, New Orleans, LA 70139-6001
• Website: None available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Leo W Seal United Methodist Church Trust is a Louisiana-based private foundation with approximately $16 million in assets that distributes around $836,807 annually to United Methodist churches and organizations. Established to honor Leo W. Seal Jr., the longtime president of Hancock Bank (now Hancock Whitney) who was recognized as "Citizen of the Century" by the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, the trust focuses its giving primarily on Mississippi United Methodist entities. The foundation makes approximately 10 grants per year, ranging from $19,000 to $238,000, with a median grant size of $52,000. Operating through trustee discretion rather than a public application process, the trust maintains strong connections to the Mississippi United Methodist Conference and supports churches, ministries, and Methodist-affiliated organizations throughout the state.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single discretionary grant program:

• Annual Grants: $19,000 - $238,000 (distributed through trustee selection to United Methodist organizations)

Priority Areas

• United Methodist churches, particularly those in Mississippi
• Methodist-affiliated healthcare facilities (Mississippi Methodist Rehab Center)
• Methodist children's services (United Methodist Children's Home)
• Methodist conference operations and assemblies
• Church building and infrastructure projects
• Ministry support and programming

What They Don't Fund

• Non-United Methodist organizations
• Organizations outside Mississippi (with rare exceptions)
• Individual requests
• General secular nonprofits

Governance and Leadership

The trust operates under professional trustee management, with possible administration through Hancock Whitney's trust services division. The foundation was established to honor Leo W. Seal Jr., former president of Hancock Bank, maintaining his legacy of supporting United Methodist causes in Mississippi. Specific current trustees are not publicly disclosed, but grant decisions appear coordinated with Mississippi United Methodist Conference leadership.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to pre-selected United Methodist organizations, primarily those with established relationships with the Mississippi United Methodist Conference.

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations seeking support should:

• Be an established United Methodist church or affiliated organization
• Have active participation in the Mississippi United Methodist Conference
• Develop relationships with Conference leadership who may recommend organizations to the trust
• Demonstrate significant community impact through Methodist ministries
• Consider reaching out to the Mississippi Conference office for potential introductions

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations receive grants through ongoing relationships rather than applications.

Application Success Factors

Based on recent grant patterns, successful recipients typically:

• Have longstanding United Methodist denominational ties
• Serve Mississippi communities, particularly the Gulf Coast region
• Include major Methodist institutions (children's homes, rehabilitation centers, conference facilities)
• Demonstrate clear alignment with United Methodist mission and values
• Show evidence of sustainable operations and community impact
• Maintain good standing with the Mississippi United Methodist Conference

Recent funded projects include:

• Main Street UMC received $238,000 (largest recent grant)
• United Methodist Children's Home received $151,000 for youth services
• Mississippi Methodist Rehab Center received $120,000 for healthcare ministry
• Multiple smaller churches received $35,000 grants for various needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process - relationships are essential
• Focus exclusively on United Methodist organizations in Mississippi
• Average grant size is substantial ($52,000 median) for qualifying organizations
• Strong preference for established Methodist institutions and churches
• Connection to Mississippi United Methodist Conference appears crucial for consideration
• Trust honors the legacy of Leo W. Seal Jr. and his commitment to Methodist causes
• Organizations outside the United Methodist denominational structure should not pursue this funding source

References

• GrantExec Foundation Profile - Leo W Seal United Methodist Church Trust (Accessed March 2025)
• Candid Foundation Directory - Grantmaker Profile LEOW001 (Accessed March 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - EIN 270169216 Form 990-PF filings (Accessed March 2025)
• Mississippi United Methodist Conference - Grant recipient information (Accessed March 2025)
• Hancock County Chamber of Commerce - Leo W. Seal Jr. recognition (Accessed March 2025)