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Festus & Helen Stacy Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.3M
Grant Range
$6K - $0.5M
Decision Time
5mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,285,638 (fiscal year 2024)
  • Total Assets: $57.9 million
  • Decision Time: 4-6 months from initial application
  • Grant Range: $6,000 - $533,333
  • Geographic Focus: South Florida (emphasis on Broward County), National, and International (primarily emerging nations)

Contact Details

Address: 5110 N Federal Highway, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Phone: +1 (954) 776-3386

Fax: (954) 776-6469

Email: info@stacy.cc

Website: https://www.stacy.cc/

Overview

The Festus & Helen Stacy Foundation was established in 1980 by Festus and Helen Stacy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The foundation was funded through proceeds from APenn and Penn-Champ oil and manufacturing companies, which Festus Stacy founded in Butler, Pennsylvania in 1932 before selling in 1962. The catalyst for their increased generosity was the tragic loss of their 19-year-old daughter Irene in 1966. With total assets of approximately $57.9 million and annual charitable disbursements of $3.3 million, the foundation continues to operate as a private family foundation under the leadership of the Stacy family descendants. The foundation's guiding philosophy, as articulated by Festus Stacy, is that "Evangelism is the greatest business in the world." Today, the foundation focuses on partnering with Christian organizations worldwide that demonstrate the ability to make lasting impacts by helping others and extending the love, mercy, and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation awards grants on a rolling basis throughout the year, with the board meeting monthly to review applications. First-time grants are typically modest, with grant amounts increasing based on organizational needs and the length of partnership with the foundation. Recent grants have ranged from $6,000 to over $533,333.

Priority Areas

The foundation identifies funding priorities in six key categories:

  • Evangelism/Church Planting: Supporting efforts to establish new churches and spread Christian teachings
  • Leadership Development: Building capacity within Christian organizations
  • Holistic Ministries: Serving marginalized populations including the poor and oppressed
  • Media & Technology: Leveraging technology and media for Christian outreach
  • Stewardship: Supporting responsible management and resource allocation
  • Children & Youth Programs: Programs focused on young people

Historically, approximately 42% of giving goes to Religion, 25% to Social & Human Services, and 14% to Education.

What They Don't Fund

  • National organizations without comprehensive USA impact
  • Church operating budgets or capital expenditures for churches
  • Scholarships
  • Individual funding requests
  • Endowments
  • General operating budgets for churches

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a family board including:

  • Douglas A. Stepelton - President
  • Virlee S. Stepelton - Secretary Treasurer
  • Brett S. Stepelton - Director/Vice President
  • Sean D. Stepelton - Director/Vice President

The Stacy family descendants continue to uphold Festus and Helen's original vision of faith, generosity, and service. As Festus Stacy stated: "We should all be thankful that the good Lord makes it possible for us to do the things we do to help others."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts grant applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Applicants should:

  1. Review the Grant Guidelines and Operating Principles on the foundation's website
  2. Ensure organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
  3. Submit applications at any time during the year
  4. Preferably seek funding for specific projects rather than general operations

Important Note: The foundation describes itself as "relational givers" and explicitly states that organizations must have a prior personal relationship with Stacy Foundation staff or board members and be invited to apply. The foundation receives more requests than they can fulfill and advises organizations without existing relationships not to apply.

Decision Timeline

  • Initial Review: Within 60 days of submission
  • Initial Response: Either denial of request OR request for complete grant proposal
  • Full Decision Process: 4-6 months from application to final decision
  • Board Meetings: Monthly, with decisions made on a rotating basis

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation made 8 grants in 2023 and 10 grants in 2022, indicating a highly selective process given the invitation-only nature of applications.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's website does not specify explicit reapplication restrictions. However, given the relationship-based approach, organizations are encouraged to maintain ongoing communication with foundation staff and board members.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's explicit preference for organizations with existing relationships, the most critical success factor is having a personal connection with foundation staff or board members. The foundation states that organizations without such relationships should not apply.

For organizations invited to apply, key success factors include:

  • Demonstrated Impact: Organizations must show proven ability to make lasting impact benefiting mankind
  • Christian Focus: All funded organizations must align with Christian mission and teachings
  • Project-Specific Requests: The foundation prefers funding specific projects rather than general operating support
  • Long-term Relationship Building: First-time grants are typically modest, with funding increasing over time as partnerships develop
  • Multiple Funding Sources: The foundation explicitly recommends "seeking additional funding from other organizations," indicating they prefer to be part of a diversified funding strategy

Recent grant recipients include National Christian Foundation ($533,333), Alpha USA ($150,000), Compassion International ($333,523), Hope South Florida ($87,500), Cardinal Gibbons High School ($30,000), Dawn Ministries ($39,000), Faith In Action ($15,000), Pro Athletes Outreach ($29,000), The Gathering ($12,500), and Prestige Club of Southwest Broward ($6,000).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Relationship-based giving: This foundation explicitly requires prior personal relationships with staff or board members and invitation to apply - unsolicited applications are discouraged
  • Christian mission alignment: All funded organizations must demonstrate commitment to extending Christian teachings and values
  • Project over operations: Seek funding for specific projects rather than general operating budgets
  • Start small, build trust: First-time grants are typically modest, with potential for growth over time
  • Geographic priorities: Focus on South Florida (especially Broward County), national programs with comprehensive USA impact, or international work in emerging nations
  • Patient timeline: Allow 4-6 months for the full decision process
  • Diversified funding strategy: The foundation expects grantees to pursue multiple funding sources

References

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