Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $435,000 (2020)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 months (September 30 deadline, November board meeting, notification by December 31)
• Grant Range: Up to $130,000 (historical grants range from approximately $7,500 to $77,500)
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Texas, though administratively based in Chicago, IL

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
c/o JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
P.O. Box 3038
Milwaukee, WI 53201-3038

Alternative Address:
10 S Dearborn Il1-0111
Chicago, IL 60603-2300

Application Submission Address:
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
420 Throckmorton
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Trustee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

EIN: 75-6177306

Overview

The Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust was established in 1973 in Texas and operates as a private independent foundation (classified as T22 under IRS guidelines). The trust is administered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as trustee. In 2020, the foundation distributed $435,000 in grants across 10 awards. The trust maintains a highly focused mission: supporting charitable organizations that derive all or a substantial part of their support from the Methodist Church, specifically the United Methodist denomination. The foundation has demonstrated consistent commitment to Methodist-affiliated institutions over its 50+ year history, with giving concentrated primarily in Texas, particularly in the Fort Worth, Houston, and Central Texas regions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single grant program with an annual deadline. The maximum grant amount is up to $130,000, though historical data suggests typical grants range from $7,500 to $77,500.

Application Method: Written proposal submission (no formal application form required), with a September 30 annual deadline.

Priority Areas

The trust exclusively supports charities deriving all or substantial support from the Methodist Church, including:

• Religious organizations: United Methodist churches and conferences
• Healthcare: Methodist-affiliated hospitals and medical facilities
• Education: Methodist-affiliated schools, colleges, and universities (such as Texas Wesleyan University)
• Senior care: Methodist retirement communities and homes for elderly persons
• Social services: United Community Centers, Mission Central organizations
• Residential care: Homes for unmarried mothers, orphanages
• Philanthropic organizations: Methodist-affiliated philanthropic initiatives

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not affiliated with the Methodist Church (specifically United Methodist)
• Individual applicants (grants only to 501(c)(3) organizations)
• Organizations outside the Methodist support structure

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as the sole trustee, administering the foundation through its private foundations division.

The foundation operates under JPMorgan Chase Bank's private foundation guidelines, which require all funded organizations to be charitable, nonprofit organizations as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the IRS tax code.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust does not require a formal application form. The initial approach should be a written proposal submitted to the Fort Worth office of JPMorgan Chase Bank.

Required Materials:

1. Name, address, and phone number of organization
2. Copy of IRS Determination Letter (proving 501(c)(3) status)
3. Listing of board of directors, trustees, officers, and other key people and their affiliations
4. Detailed description of project and amount of funding requested

Where to Submit:
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
420 Throckmorton
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Decision Timeline

• Deadline: September 30 (annual deadline)
• Board Meeting: November
• Final Notification: Prior to December 31

The timeline suggests approximately 2-3 months from submission deadline to final notification.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, in 2020, the foundation made 10 awards totaling $435,000, suggesting a relatively small number of grants distributed annually.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations should consult with JPMorgan Chase Bank regarding reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented funding history and focus areas, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Methodist Affiliation: The organization must derive all or substantial support from the Methodist Church, specifically United Methodist denomination. This is the paramount eligibility criterion.

2. Texas Presence: While not an absolute requirement, historical grant data shows strong preference for Texas-based organizations, particularly in the Fort Worth, Houston, and Central Texas regions.

3. Traditional Methodist Causes: Organizations aligned with traditional Methodist charitable work—healthcare, education, senior care, social services—appear to receive favorable consideration.

4. Institutional Strength: Past recipients include well-established institutions like Methodist hospitals, university systems, and conference-level church organizations, suggesting preference for established organizations with proven track records.

5. Complete Documentation: Given the trustee structure through JPMorgan Chase Bank, ensuring all required documentation (particularly 501(c)(3) status and organizational leadership information) is complete and professional is essential.

Historical Grant Recipients (2007 data):

• $77,500 to Central Texas Conference Of The United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, TX
• $50,000 to Methodist Retirement Communities, The Woodland, TX
• $45,000 to United Community Center, Fort Worth, TX
• $25,000 to Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, TX
• $25,000 to First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, TX
• $20,000 to Mission Central Metroplex, Hurst, TX
• $10,000 to Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
• $10,000 to Sears Methodist Centers, Abilene, TX

These examples illustrate the breadth of Methodist-affiliated causes supported, from direct church support to education, healthcare, and social services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Methodist affiliation is non-negotiable: Only apply if your organization derives all or substantial support from the United Methodist Church. This is the foundation's exclusive focus.

• Plan ahead for the annual deadline: With only one deadline per year (September 30), missed deadlines mean waiting a full year to reapply.

• Texas organizations have historical advantage: While not explicitly stated, grant history shows overwhelming preference for Texas-based Methodist organizations.

• Prepare comprehensive organizational documentation: As a bank-administered trust, expect professional standards for documentation, including detailed board information and proper IRS documentation.

• Consider the grant range: With historical grants ranging from approximately $7,500 to $77,500, and a stated maximum of $130,000, tailor funding requests to realistic amounts based on your project scope and organizational size.

• Institutional credibility matters: Historical recipients are well-established Methodist institutions; newer organizations should emphasize their Methodist church connections and institutional support.

• Expect a structured timeline: The process follows a clear annual cycle (September deadline, November board meeting, December notification), allowing for predictable planning.

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust (EIN 75-6177306). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/756177306
• Charity Navigator Profile: Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/756177306
• Candid Foundation Directory: Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=STUA008
• Instrumentl Grant Database: Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Grant. https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/hesta-stuart-christian-charitable-grant
• Tax Exempt World: Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust. https://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=810444
• Cause IQ: Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/hesta-stuart-christian-charitable-xxxxx9003,756177306/
• Here-4-You Consulting NPFunds Directory: Hesta Stuart Christian Charitable Trust. https://npfunds.com/directory/hesta-stuart-christian-charitable-trust/

Information compiled from IRS Form 990-PF filings and nonprofit database aggregators. Most recent financial data from 2020 fiscal year. Accessed March 2026.