M.F. Hutchinson Jr Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $770,000 (2023)
• Total Assets: $19.1 million
• Number of Awards: 6 grants in 2023, 12 in 2022
• Grant Range: $1,500 - $550,000
• Geographic Focus: Florida, Georgia, and Minnesota
• Application Process: No public application process (trustee discretion)

Contact Details

Address: 5150 Belfort Road, Building 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256

EIN: 84-6514476

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or publicly listed contact information. Correspondence should be directed to the address above.

Overview

The M.F. Hutchinson Jr Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in 2020 and based in Jacksonville, Florida. With total assets of approximately $19.1 million, the trust distributed $770,000 in grants during 2023 across six awards. The foundation has demonstrated consistent grantmaking activity since its inception, with 12 awards in 2022, 7 in 2021, and 4 in 2020. Named for Milford Forest Hutchinson Jr, the trust focuses its philanthropic efforts on education, voluntarism and grantmaking, and human services. The foundation operates as a traditional private trust with decisions made at the discretion of its three trustees, and it does not maintain a public application process. Geographic reach extends beyond Florida to include organizations in Georgia and Minnesota, suggesting family or trustee connections to these regions.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The M.F. Hutchinson Jr Charitable Trust supports organizations in the following areas:

• Education: Support for educational institutions and programs
• Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Organizations focused on grantmaking and volunteer initiatives
• Human Services: Programs addressing community welfare and social needs

Geographic Focus

While based in Jacksonville, Florida, the trust has demonstrated a multi-state funding approach:

• Florida: Primary geographic focus, particularly Northeast Florida
• Georgia: Secondary funding area
• Minnesota: Selected grants to Minnesota-based organizations

Grant Amounts

• Range: $1,500 to $550,000
• Average approach: The wide range suggests the foundation tailors grant amounts to specific projects and organizational capacity rather than following standardized grant tiers

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation operating through trustee discretion, specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, grants appear focused on established charitable organizations in the education and human services sectors.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The M.F. Hutchinson Jr Charitable Trust is governed by three trustees:

• M. Forest Hutchinson III - Likely the grandson of the foundation's namesake, representing family continuity in the trust's philanthropic mission
• John I. Bishop Jr - Co-trustee
• Michael Hutchinson - Co-trustee, likely another family member

The trust appears to maintain strong family governance, with trustees making collective decisions about grant awards. The foundation's structure as a charitable trust (rather than a corporate foundation) suggests a more traditional, family-centered approach to philanthropy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The M.F. Hutchinson Jr Charitable Trust operates as a traditional private foundation with grants awarded at the discretion of its trustees. This means:

• There is no online application portal
• The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Grant decisions are made by the trustees based on their own research, interests, and relationships
• There are no published application deadlines or cycles

This is a common structure for family foundations where trustees identify organizations aligned with the foundation's mission through their own networks, community involvement, and research.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate on a public grant cycle. Trustees make decisions throughout the year based on their discretion.

Success Rates

With only 6-12 grants awarded annually, the foundation maintains a highly selective approach. However, since there is no public application process, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application advice is not relevant. However, organizations seeking to understand the foundation's interests should note:

• Multi-year track record: The foundation has consistently made grants since 2020, suggesting sustained commitment to its focus areas
• Varied grant sizes: The wide range ($1,500-$550,000) indicates the trustees evaluate organizations on an individual basis
• Education emphasis: Education appears as a primary funding priority
• Multi-state reach: While Jacksonville-based, the foundation's geographic diversity suggests trustees have connections beyond Florida
• Established organizations: As a private foundation, grants likely go to established 501(c)(3) organizations with demonstrated track records

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation awards grants solely at trustee discretion; unsolicited applications are not accepted
• Family foundation structure: Governance by family trustees suggests grants may be influenced by personal connections and family interests
• Focus on education and human services: Organizations in these sectors working in Florida, Georgia, or Minnesota align with funding patterns
• Wide grant range: The $1,500-$550,000 range suggests flexibility based on project scope and organizational needs
• Consistent grantmaking: Despite no public process, the foundation has demonstrated reliable annual giving since its 2020 establishment
• Relationship-based: Success in receiving funding likely depends on existing relationships with trustees or organizations they support
• Limited annual grants: With only 6-12 grants per year, this is a highly focused foundation supporting a select group of organizations

References

• Cause IQ - MF Hutchinson JR Charitable Trust Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/mf-hutchinson-jr-charitable-trust,846514476/ (Accessed January 24, 2026)
• Instrumentl - Mf Hutchinson Jr Charitable Trust 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/mf-hutchinson-jr-charitable-tr (Accessed January 24, 2026)
• GuideStar Profile - Mf Hutchinson Jr Charitable Tr. https://www2.guidestar.org/Profile/84-6514476 (Accessed January 24, 2026)