The Canaday Family Charitable Trust Agreement

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,163,801 (2024)
• Total Assets: $49,088,606
• Grant Range: $60,000 - $204,950 (based on recent examples)
• Number of Grants: 97 awards in 2022
• Geographic Focus: Vermont
• Application Deadline: February 2 at 9am

Contact Details

Website: https://canadayfamily.org

Email: canaday@bofa.com

Mailing Address: The Canaday Family Charitable Trust c/o Christine O'Donnell Bank of America Private Bank Mail Code TAOBEB PO Box 1517 Pennington, NJ 08534

Online Application Portal: https://bofa.foundationsource.com/myfs/givinghub/38944/Canadayloi

Overview

Established in 1945 by Ward Murphey and Mariam Coffin Canaday, the Canaday Family Charitable Trust has distributed over $20.5 million in grants to more than 130 Vermont organizations since 2005. With assets of approximately $49 million, the Trust supports Vermont-based nonprofits working to improve the lives of children and families, promote environmental education and conservation, and reduce economic and racial inequality. The founders began their charitable giving program after Ward Canaday led the development of the JEEP and revived the Willys Overland Corporation. The Trust's current Vermont focus reflects the Canadays' long-term attachment to the state where they spent many summers, a tradition that continues with family members who have become year-round Vermont residents.

Funding Priorities

Focus Areas

Children & Youth Services (99 grants totaling $7,809,373 since 2005)

• Children's education, health, housing, and advocacy
• Projects directly benefiting Vermont children
• Research into children's needs

The Environment (68 grants totaling $5,940,749 since 2005)

• Quality of land, water, and air
• Land use and waste disposal
• Biodiversity conservation
• Non-regulatory environmental solutions
• Community involvement and education

Environmental Education (42 grants totaling $3,557,952 since 2005)

• Curriculum development projects
• Forest stewardship education
• Habitat improvement and conservation training

Social Justice & Economic Opportunity (35 grants totaling $3,295,750 since 2005)

• Job training programs
• Community organizing for affordable healthcare
• Affordable housing development
• Programs increasing standard of living for Vermont families
• Initiatives advancing racial equity

Funding Preferences

The trustees strongly favor:

• Vermont-grown and Vermont-focused projects that spring from "the unique physical, human, and political landscape of Vermont"
• Special projects or new initiatives
• Experimental projects with potential for significant impact
• Innovative programs with clear, measurable goals
• Projects demonstrating sustainability
• Programs that build knowledge, skills, and values
• Initiatives promoting self-sufficiency
• Projects advancing racial equity

What They Don't Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Building campaigns
• Endowments
• Operating funding (except by invitation only)
• Projects that duplicate or extend work done in other states
• Projects carrying Vermont-based work outside the state
• Organizations not tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3)
• Private foundations under Section 509(a)

Family Discretionary Grants

Family members also make discretionary grants for which unsolicited proposals are not accepted.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Bank of America (Institutional Trustee) - Compensation: $193,060 (2024)
• Nicholas Spitzer (Co-Trustee) - No compensation
• Lydia Spitzer (Co-Trustee) - No compensation, conservationist and long-time Vermont supporter
• Lukas Saul (Co-Trustee) - No compensation

Investment Management: Family Capital Trust Co

The Trust has divested from companies engaged in weapon production in response to calls from Israeli and Palestinian peace organizations, reflecting their commitment to environmental and social values.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust accepts unsolicited proposals through an online Letter of Inquiry (LOI) system.

Application Method: Online submission only via https://bofa.foundationsource.com/myfs/givinghub/38944/Canadayloi

Deadline: February 2 at 9am annually

Application Requirements:

• Letter of Inquiry submitted online
• Emphasis on specificity, clarity, and brevity
• Include project evaluation methodology
• Explain how proposed work expands on previously funded work (if applicable)
• Identify stakeholders (particularly for curriculum projects)

Decision Timeline

While specific decision timelines are not publicly stated, the Trust operates on an annual cycle:

• LOI deadline: February 2
• Family reviews applications
• Grant decisions made and communicated
• Grantees submit reports: July 1

The Trust review process involves family members meeting to evaluate proposals and make funding decisions.

Reporting Requirements

Report Due Date: July 1 annually

Report Types:

• Interim Report (if funds not fully expended)
• Final Report

Reapplication Policy: Organizations receiving funding may not reapply until after a final report has been received and reviewed by the family at their summer meeting.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the Trust made 97 awards in 2022, suggesting a selective but active grant-making program. With over $3 million in annual giving distributed among approximately 100 grants, the Trust maintains a focused portfolio of supported organizations.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated policies and recent funding patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

Vermont Authenticity: The Trust strongly prefers projects that are "Vermont-grown and Vermont-focused" rather than extensions of work done elsewhere. Applications should emphasize how the project emerges from Vermont's unique landscape and needs.

Measurability and Innovation: "The foundation seeks to fund innovative programs with clear, measurable goals for creating unique and significant improvements in the lives of children and in the environment." Include specific, quantifiable outcomes and evaluation methodologies.

Partnership Approach: The Trust values "the principle of partnership, of encouraging differing interests to work together to achieve a common, sustainable philanthropic goal." Demonstrate collaboration with other Vermont organizations and stakeholders.

Environmental Values Alignment: The Trust's commitment to environmental stewardship extends to administrative practices (requesting not to be added to mailing lists to reduce waste). Projects should demonstrate environmental consciousness.

Educational Component: The Trust favors projects with educational aspects, whether teaching children, training professionals, or building community knowledge.

Restorative Justice Connection: For programs addressing justice issues, the Trust recommends incorporating "the policy work by Voices for Vermont's Children in this area."

Clarity and Brevity: The Trust explicitly emphasizes "specificity, clarity, and brevity" in applications. Avoid verbose proposals.

Sustainability and Long-term Impact: The Trust values programs that will continue beyond the grant period and build lasting capacity.

Recent Successful Projects:

• Bridgewater Area Community Center received $204,950 over two years for energy efficiency and sustainability projects (2024)
• NorthWoods Stewardship Center received $185,000 over two years to establish a Forest Stewardship Institute focusing on habitat improvement and timber production methods (year not specified)
• 1% for the Planet received $60,000 for environmental internships for Vermont college students (2021-2023)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Vermont-first focus: Strongly emphasize how your project is uniquely Vermont, not an adaptation of work done elsewhere. The Trust explicitly favors Vermont-grown initiatives.

• February 2 deadline is firm: Applications are due February 2 at 9am. Plan accordingly as this is an annual deadline, not rolling.

• Special projects over operations: The Trust prefers new initiatives and special projects. Operating support is "by invitation only."

• Multi-year grants are possible: Recent examples show two-year grants in the $100,000-$200,000 range, suggesting the Trust is open to longer-term commitments.

• Measurement matters: Include specific evaluation methodologies and measurable outcomes. The Trust explicitly looks for "clear, measurable goals."

• Report before reapplying: You cannot submit a new LOI until your previous grant's final report has been reviewed at the family's summer meeting. Factor this into long-term funding plans.

• Family involvement is real: The Trust operates with active family trustee engagement, not just institutional management. The family meets to review applications and reports, bringing personal commitment to the work.

References

• Canaday Family Charitable Trust official website: https://canadayfamily.org (accessed January 2026)
• Mission and Values page: https://canadayfamily.org/mission-and-values/ (accessed January 2026)
• History page: https://canadayfamily.org/history/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmaking Policies: https://canadayfamily.org/grantmaking-policies/ (accessed January 2026)
• Fields of Interest: https://canadayfamily.org/fields-of-interest/ (accessed January 2026)
• Application Procedure: https://canadayfamily.org/application-procedure/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grants Summary: https://canadayfamily.org/grants-summary/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/912158408 (accessed January 2026)
• Mountain Times, "Bridgewater Area Community Center, Childcare Was Awarded A Two-year $200K Grant" (November 2024)
• NorthWoods Stewardship Center, "Canaday Family Charitable Trust Grant Creates Forest Stewardship Institute"
• Vermont Business Magazine, "1% for the Planet receives $60,000 from the Canaday Family Charitable Trust" (August 2021)