W I H Pitts Charitable Trust Ua 110187

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$2.4 million (2024)
• Total Assets: $37.9 million (2024)
• Grant Range: Distributed to designated beneficiaries only
• Geographic Focus: Georgia (Methodist-affiliated institutions)
• Application Process: No public application process - designated beneficiaries only
• Trust Type: Perpetual charitable trust established in the 1930s

Contact Details

Trust Administrator: Truist Bank
Mailing Address: PO Box 919798, Orlando, FL 32891-9798
Phone: (404) 813-9304
EIN: 58-6374907

Note: This trust does not accept unsolicited applications. Contact information is provided for informational purposes only.

Overview

The W I H Pitts Charitable Trust Ua 110187 is a perpetual charitable trust established in the 1930s by William Irby Hudson Pitts for his daughter Margaret Adger Pitts. Following Margaret's death in 1998 at age 104, her estate—valued at $192 million primarily in Coca-Cola stock—was distributed through this and related trusts to benefit four designated Methodist-affiliated charitable organizations in Georgia. The trust is administered by Truist Bank (formerly SunTrust Bank) from their Orlando, Florida office.

According to ProPublica's analysis of the trust's 2024 Form 990-PF, the trust maintains assets of approximately $37.9 million and distributes roughly $2.4 million annually in charitable grants. The trust generated revenue of $2.7 million in 2024, primarily from dividends (32%) and sales of assets (69%). Approximately 94% of the trust's expenses go directly to charitable disbursements, demonstrating strong operational efficiency.

Funding Priorities

Designated Beneficiaries

This trust operates under a trust agreement that designates specific beneficiaries. Based on Margaret Pitts's 1998 estate distribution, the trust benefits:

• Candler School of Theology at Emory University (Atlanta, GA) - Estimated historical allocation: ~$65 million of original trust corpus
• Young Harris College (Young Harris, GA) - Estimated historical allocation: ~$63.5 million of original trust corpus
• Methodist Home for Children and Youth (Macon, GA) - Estimated historical allocation: ~$47.5 million of original trust corpus
• Fund for Retired Ministers, South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church (Macon, GA) - Estimated historical allocation: ~$16 million of original trust corpus

Priority Areas

The trust exclusively supports institutions affiliated with the United Methodist Church in Georgia, with focus areas including:

• Theological Education: Support for seminary education and theological library resources
• Higher Education: Funding for Methodist-affiliated colleges, particularly scholarships
• Children's Services: Support for Methodist children's homes and social services
• Clergy Support: Pension augmentation for retired Methodist ministers

What They Don't Fund

As a designated beneficiary trust, this entity:

• Does not accept grant applications from organizations outside the designated beneficiaries
• Does not fund individuals directly
• Does not support organizations outside of Georgia
• Does not support non-Methodist affiliated institutions
• Does not provide one-time project grants to new organizations

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Truist Bank serves as the corporate trustee, with trust administration handled through their Charitable and Endowment Services division.

Compensation: According to 2024 Form 990-PF filings, Truist Bank receives annual trustee compensation of approximately $200,000-$235,000 for administration of the trust.

Trust History: The trust was established by William I.H. Pitts (1862-1964) in the 1930s as part of estate planning for his children. Following the death of Margaret Pitts in 1998, the trust became a perpetual charitable trust with fixed beneficiaries.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This trust does not have a public application process. The trust operates under a trust agreement established in the 1930s that designates specific beneficiary organizations. Distributions are made according to the terms of the trust document and at the discretion of the trustee (Truist Bank).

Organizations that are not among the designated beneficiaries cannot apply for or receive grants from this trust. The trust represents a perpetual endowment for the specified Methodist-affiliated institutions in Georgia.

Distribution Method

Based on historical documentation from the 1998 estate settlement:

• The trust holds primarily Coca-Cola stock and other investments
• Annual distributions are based on trust income and capital appreciation
• Distributions are made directly to the designated beneficiary institutions

Related Philanthropic Entities

Organizations researching Pitts family philanthropy should be aware of related but distinct entities:

William I.H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation

• Location: Georgia (separate governance)
• Application Process: HAS a public application process with March 1 deadline
• Website: www.pittsfoundation.org
• Contact: amy.green@truist.com, (404) 813-2021

Note for Grant Seekers: If your organization is Methodist-affiliated in Georgia and does not already receive distributions from this trust, you should instead research the William I.H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation, which does accept applications from eligible organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not Open to Applications: This is a perpetual trust with designated beneficiaries established decades ago. It does not accept new grant applications.

• Distinct from the Foundation: Do not confuse this trust with the William I.H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation, which does have an open application process for Methodist-affiliated organizations in Georgia.

• Significant Resources: Despite not being open to applications, this trust represents nearly $38 million in charitable assets supporting Methodist education and social services in Georgia.

• For Current Beneficiaries: Organizations that are designated beneficiaries should maintain strong relationships with Truist Bank's trust administration team and provide excellent stewardship reporting on use of funds.

• Research the Foundation Instead: Organizations seeking Pitts family funding should focus on the William I.H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation application process rather than attempting to access this trust.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - W I H Pitts Charitable Tr Ua 110187 (EIN 58-6374907): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/586374907 (Accessed February 10, 2026)

• Candid Foundation Directory - Trust W I H Pitts Memorial Fund: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=WIHP002 (Accessed February 10, 2026)

• Candid Foundation Directory - Trust Margaret Pitts Ua W Pitts (EIN 58-6374907): https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=WIHP001 (Accessed February 10, 2026)

• Chronicle of Philanthropy: "Georgia Charities to Benefit From $192-Million Bequest" (1999): https://www.philanthropy.com/article/georgia-charities-to-benefit-from-192-million-bequest/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)

• New Georgia Encyclopedia: "William I. H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation": https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/business-economy/william-i-h-and-lula-e-pitts-foundation/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)

• William I.H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation website: http://www.pittsfoundation.org/ (Accessed February 10, 2026)