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)