← Back to US Funders Directory

Luckyday Foundation

Annual Giving
$6.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.0M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
30%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6.7 million
  • Success Rate: ~30% (estimated based on 13-20 grants annually)
  • Decision Time: 3 months
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Mississippi only

Contact Details

Phone: (601) 208-5171
Website: www.luckyday.org
Trustee: Trustmark National Bank
Trustee Phone: (800) 243-2524
Email: askus@trustmark.com
Address: P.O. Box 291, Jackson, MS 39205

Overview

The Luckyday Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1978 by Frank Rogers Day, former Chairman and CEO of Trustmark National Bank. With assets exceeding $146 million and annual charitable disbursements of $6.7 million, the foundation focuses exclusively on Mississippi-based organizations. The foundation's vision centers on creating a community of scholars who aspire to servant leadership through scholarship, community, service, and leadership. While education is the primary focus through extensive scholarship programs at three Mississippi universities impacting over 2,200 students, the foundation also supports human services organizations and religious institutions throughout the state.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • General Operating Grants: $1,000 - $10,000 (typical for smaller organizations)
  • Major Initiative Grants: $10,000 - $2,000,000 (for significant educational or community programs)
  • Scholarship Programs: $6,000 per student per year ($24,000 over four years)
  • Application method: Rolling basis after initial contact required

Priority Areas

  1. Education - Primary focus, including scholarship programs and educational institutions
  2. Human Services - Organizations serving vulnerable and food-insecure populations, youth development programs
  3. Religion - Religious 501(c)(3) organizations and churches (documented support for Episcopal churches)

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside Mississippi
  • Individuals (except through established scholarship programs)
  • Unsolicited applications without prior contact

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Trustmark National Bank serves as the foundation's trustee. The foundation was established by Frank Rogers Day (1924-1999), who led Trustmark's expansion to become Mississippi's largest bank. Day was known for his preference for anonymous giving and strong ties to the University of Mississippi, his alma mater, and Aberdeen, Mississippi, his hometown.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations must first contact the foundation by phone at (601) 208-5171 or through the trustee, Trustmark National Bank, before attempting to apply. After initial contact and approval to apply, organizations can submit proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation requires initial relationship building before accepting applications. Organizations should:

  • Contact the foundation directly via phone to discuss their mission alignment
  • Connect through Trustmark National Bank's trust department, which manages the foundation
  • Build relationships with Mississippi university development offices if education-focused
  • Note that the foundation has documented relationships with Mississippi Food Network, Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi, and various Episcopal churches in the state

Decision Timeline

  • Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Typical decision time: 3 months from submission to notification
  • Notification provided directly to applicants

Success Rates

The foundation makes 13-20 grants annually from its $6.7 million in charitable disbursements, suggesting selective grantmaking with an estimated 30% success rate for those approved to apply.

Reapplication Policy

No documented restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving patterns:

  • Mississippi connection is essential - All grants are restricted to Mississippi-based organizations
  • Pre-application contact is mandatory - The foundation explicitly states it "will not accept unsolicited applications out of the blue"
  • Education-related proposals have strongest alignment - Over $55 million committed to universities since 2000
  • Youth development focus - Frank Day's legacy includes strong support for Boys and Girls Clubs
  • Food security initiatives - Documented support for Mississippi Food Network and similar organizations
  • Episcopal church connections - Multiple grants documented to Episcopal churches in Aberdeen and Jackson
  • Demonstrate servant leadership values - Align proposals with foundation's core values of scholarship, community, service, and leadership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Initial phone contact at (601) 208-5171 is required before any application will be considered
  • Mississippi-based organizations only - no exceptions documented
  • Education proposals receive the largest commitments, but human services and religious organizations are consistently funded
  • Typical grants around $10,000 suggest accessibility for smaller organizations alongside major institutional commitments
  • 3-month decision timeline is relatively quick for a private foundation
  • Limited public information means relationship building through initial contact is crucial
  • Consider connections to Trustmark National Bank network as potential pathway to introduction

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory