Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $2,654,175 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,020,000
- Geographic Focus: Georgia and North Carolina
- Total Assets: $46,174,384
Contact Details
Address: 4228 Wickersham Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30327
EIN: 58-1936483
Note: Contact information for phone and email is not publicly available. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.
Overview
Established in September 1991, the Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation Trust is a private foundation based in Atlanta, Georgia, with total assets of approximately $46.2 million. The foundation provided $2.65 million in grants during 2023, making 16 awards to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation's mission focuses on supporting education, human services, arts, and philanthropic initiatives that serve children and youth, low-income populations, homeless individuals, students, and economically disadvantaged people throughout Georgia and North Carolina. The foundation maintains a selective approach to grant-making, working exclusively with organizations chosen by its board of trustees rather than through a public application process.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation operates through trustee-selected grants rather than formal grant programs. Awards are made on an invitation-only basis.
Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,020,000
- Median Grant: $50,000
- Average Grant: $165,900
- 2023 Activity: 16 grants totaling $2,654,175
- 2022 Activity: 14 grants totaling $2,700,000
- 2021 Activity: 11 grants
Priority Areas
Education
- Christian education institutions
- Preschool and K-12 programs
- Educational facilities and infrastructure
- Youth development programs
Human Services
- Services for children and youth
- Programs serving low-income and economically disadvantaged populations
- Homeless services and support
- Community development initiatives
Arts and Culture
- Arts programs serving youth and underserved communities
Philanthropy and Voluntarism
- Grant-making organizations
- Community foundations
- Volunteer programs
Geographic Focus: Primarily Georgia and North Carolina, with strong emphasis on the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
What They Don't Fund
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. They work exclusively with preselected charitable organizations identified by their board of trustees.
Governance and Leadership
Board of Trustees
- Joel Reed, Trustee
- Kelly Boudreau, Trustee
- Michael Williams, Trustee
- Gil Watson, Trustee
All trustees serve without compensation. The foundation maintains a stable governance structure focused on strategic grant-making aligned with the founders' philanthropic vision.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. The Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation Trust only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees based on organizations and causes they have identified as aligned with the foundation's mission and priorities.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable. The foundation operates on a trustee-discretion model where funding decisions are made internally without a public application cycle.
Success Rates
Not applicable for unsolicited applications, as the foundation does not accept them.
Reapplication Policy
Not applicable. Organizations cannot apply or reapply, as there is no public application process.
Application Success Factors
Since this foundation does not accept public applications, the following observations about their grant-making patterns may be useful for organizations seeking to understand their approach:
Demonstrated Funding Patterns:
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Significant capital support: The foundation has made substantial grants for capital projects, such as the $1 million grant to Mount Pisgah Christian School for the Murray Academy preschool facility, a 24,000 square foot space with 10 classrooms, chapel, theatre, innovation center, and outdoor playscape.
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Focus on Christian education: The foundation has shown particular interest in supporting Christian educational institutions, especially those serving young children and youth in the Atlanta area.
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Long-term impact: Their grant to Mount Pisgah Christian School was recognized through the naming of the Murray Academy, suggesting they value lasting partnerships and recognition of significant contributions.
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Service to vulnerable populations: The foundation's stated focus on children and youth, low-income and poor people, homeless individuals, and economically disadvantaged people indicates priority for organizations serving these communities.
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Geographic concentration: Strong preference for Georgia-based organizations, particularly in the Atlanta metropolitan area, with secondary interest in North Carolina.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
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No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications; they identify and select recipients through trustee discretion.
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Large grant capacity: With grants ranging up to $1 million and an average grant size of $165,900, this is a significant funder capable of supporting major projects and capital campaigns.
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Education focus: Particularly Christian education serving children and youth, with demonstrated support for preschool through K-12 programs and facility development.
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Strategic philanthropy: The foundation makes relatively few grants annually (11-16 grants) but with substantial impact, suggesting they prefer deeper engagement with fewer organizations rather than broad distribution.
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Vulnerable populations: Organizations serving low-income, homeless, economically disadvantaged, and youth populations align with their stated priorities.
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Georgia and North Carolina focus: Geographic restriction to these two states, with particular concentration in greater Atlanta.
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Relationship-based giving: The trustee-discretion model suggests that board connections, relationships, and awareness are the pathways to funding rather than competitive applications.
References
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Cause IQ: Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation Trust profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/stuart-and-eulene-murray-foundation-trust,581936483/ (Accessed January 2026)
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ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Stuart And Eulene Murray Foundation Tr, EIN 58-1936483. Form 990-PF filings. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/581936483 (Accessed January 2026)
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Candid Foundation Directory: Stuart & Eulene Murray Foundation C/o Kelly Boudreau Trustee. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=MURR031 (Accessed January 2026)
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Mount Pisgah Christian School: Murray Academy. https://www.mountpisgahschool.org/academics/murray-academy (Accessed January 2026)
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Appen Media: "Mount Pisgah cuts ribbon on new preschool facility," May 2023. https://www.appenmedia.com/community/mount-pisgah-cuts-ribbon-on-new-preschool-facility/article_277151bc-f99d-11ed-bcfb-13d1b6d103a2.html (Accessed January 2026)
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Grantmakers.io: Stuart and Eulene Murray Foundation Tr profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/581936483-stuart-and-eulene-murray-foundation-tr/ (Accessed January 2026)
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TheShareWay: Stuart & Eulene Murray Foundation funder profile. https://www.theshareway.com/funder/stuart--28985 (Accessed January 2026)