Wm I H & Lula E Pitts Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4.96 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable
• Grant Range: Unable to determine specific amounts
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Florida/Southeast United States

Contact Details

• EIN: 58-6026047
• Location: Orlando, FL
• Trustee: Truist Bank

Overview

The Wm I H & Lula E Pitts Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in February 1945 with total assets of approximately $52.8 million as of 2024. The foundation distributes roughly $4-5 million annually in charitable grants, exclusively supporting organizations affiliated with the United Methodist Church. With a focused mission on Methodist-affiliated education, children's homes, charitable hospitals, and elderly care facilities, the foundation operates as a faith-based funder with deep roots in the Methodist community. The foundation's revenue comes primarily from investment dividends ($2.85 million) and sales of assets ($4.37 million), enabling consistent charitable disbursements that represent approximately 95% of their total expenses.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation focuses exclusively on United Methodist Church-affiliated organizations in the following areas:

• Education (Methodist colleges, universities, and schools)
• Children's homes and youth services
• Charitable hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Care of the elderly (retirement communities and senior services)

Priority Areas

• United Methodist Church educational institutions
• Methodist-affiliated social services
• Faith-based healthcare initiatives
• Methodist retirement and elderly care facilities

What They Don't Fund

• Non-Methodist affiliated organizations
• Individual requests
• Organizations without formal United Methodist Church affiliation
• Secular programs or initiatives

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that includes prominent United Methodist Church leaders:

• Bishop Mike Watson (Chairman)
• Bishop James E Swanson
• Elizabeth Ogie
• Dan McAlexander
• Jenner Wood
• Philip Millians
• Ralph R Morrison
• Jenna Kelly
• Linda Buchanan

Truist Bank serves as the corporate trustee, managing the foundation's assets and receiving compensation of $278,853 annually for these services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded exclusively to United Methodist Church-affiliated organizations through trustee discretion and existing denominational relationships. Organizations must have formal affiliation with the United Methodist Church to be considered for funding.

Getting on Their Radar

As a faith-based foundation serving exclusively United Methodist organizations, potential beneficiaries should:

• Establish formal affiliation with the United Methodist Church if not already affiliated
• Work through United Methodist Church conference leadership and bishops who serve on the board
• Connect with Methodist district superintendents who may have relationships with board members
• Engage with the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church for regional connections

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's exclusive focus on United Methodist Church-affiliated organizations:

• Formal church affiliation is mandatory - no exceptions are made for non-Methodist organizations
• Strong endorsement from Methodist church leadership significantly influences funding decisions
• Programs should align with traditional Methodist values of education, youth services, healthcare, and elderly care
• Organizations with established track records within the Methodist community are prioritized
• Multi-year relationships with the foundation are common among regular recipients

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This foundation exclusively funds United Methodist Church-affiliated organizations - secular organizations need not apply
• No public application process exists - funding relationships develop through Methodist church networks
• With approximately $5 million in annual giving and substantial assets, they are a significant funder within the Methodist community
• Board composition includes multiple bishops, indicating decisions are made at the highest levels of church leadership
• Focus areas are traditional Methodist charitable priorities: education, children, healthcare, and elderly care
• Organizations seeking support must work through official Methodist church channels rather than direct application

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Wm I H & Lula E Pitts Foundation profile (accessed December 31, 2024)
• GuideStar profile for EIN 58-6026047 (accessed December 31, 2024)
• IRS Tax-Exempt Organization data (accessed December 31, 2024)