William T Bland Jr Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,319,714 (2024)
• Success Rate: N/A (trustee-directed)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee-directed)
• Grant Range: Unknown (specific amounts not publicly available)
• Geographic Focus: Mount Dora/Lake County/Central Florida

Contact Details

• Trustee: First National Bank of Mount Dora
• Location: Mount Dora, FL
• EIN: 82-6387611
• No public contact information or application portal available

Overview

The William T Bland Jr Charitable Trust is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2020 following the 2016 passing of William Thomas Bland III, a prominent Central Florida businessman and philanthropist. With assets of approximately $39.7 million as of 2024, the trust distributes over $2.3 million annually to charitable causes. The trust is managed by First National Bank of Mount Dora as trustee, with a three-person distribution committee overseeing grant decisions. The foundation carries forward the Bland family's century-long tradition of philanthropy in Central Florida, particularly in the Mount Dora and Lake County region. The trust focuses primarily on animal welfare, veterans' assistance, and public safety programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates through trustee-directed grantmaking without specific named programs. Annual charitable disbursements totaled $2,319,714 in 2024 and $425,000 in 2020.

Priority Areas

• Animal welfare organizations
• Veterans' assistance programs
• SWAT and law enforcement support programs
• Community charitable causes in Lake County/Mount Dora area

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly documented, but funding appears focused on local/regional organizations rather than national or international causes.

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: First National Bank of Mount Dora

Distribution Committee Members:

• John D Pease III
• Clare L Garner Jr
• John D Pease IV

The trust continues the philanthropic legacy of William T. Bland III (1932-2016), whose family founded what became SunTrust Banks and owned over 2,000 acres of citrus groves and ranch land near Mount Dora. During his lifetime, Bland established the W.T. Bland Public Library and donated significantly to Boy Scouts facilities and local education.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion by First National Bank of Mount Dora and the distribution committee. Organizations do not apply directly but may receive trustee-initiated grants based on alignment with the trust's priorities and geographic focus.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the trust's trustee-directed structure and connection to First National Bank of Mount Dora, organizations may benefit from:

• Building relationships with the distribution committee members (John D Pease III, Clare L Garner Jr, John D Pease IV)
• Establishing connections with First National Bank of Mount Dora's trust department
• Demonstrating strong community impact in Lake County/Mount Dora area
• Aligning work with the Bland family's historic interests in education, youth development, and community infrastructure

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - trustee-directed grants without public application timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented - trustee-directed grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

As a private foundation with trustee-directed giving, traditional application strategies do not apply. Organizations most likely to receive funding would:

• Operate within Lake County or the Mount Dora area where the Bland family had deep roots
• Focus on animal welfare, veterans' programs, or public safety initiatives
• Have established credibility and visibility in the local community
• Demonstrate alignment with the Bland family's philanthropic values of community service and local impact
• Potentially have connections to First National Bank of Mount Dora or the distribution committee members

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a trustee-directed foundation with no public application process - grants are initiated by the trustee and distribution committee
• Focus areas include animal welfare, veterans, and law enforcement support programs
• Geographic focus appears strongly centered on Mount Dora/Lake County/Central Florida region
• Annual giving has grown significantly from $425,000 (2020) to $2.3 million (2024), suggesting expanding grantmaking capacity
• Building relationships with First National Bank of Mount Dora and the distribution committee members is likely essential for funding consideration
• The trust continues the Bland family's century-long tradition of Central Florida philanthropy

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - William T Bland Jr Charitable Trust (EIN 826387611). Accessed February 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/826387611
• CauseIQ - William T Bland Jr Charitable Trust Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/william-t-bland-jr-charitable-trust,826387611/
• First National Bank of Mount Dora - Trustee relationship documentation
• IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Database - EIN 82-6387611, Tax-Exempt Since April 2020