Marietta McNeill Morgan & Samuel Tate Morgan, Jr. Trust Fund

The Marietta McNeill Morgan & Samuel Tate Morgan, Jr. Trust, founded in 1962, is a philanthropic initiative dedicated to fostering high-quality educational and human services programs throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Established as a private charitable trust, its longstanding mission has been to contribute to the betterment of Virginian communities by supporting impactful projects in the domains of education, human services, and cultural enrichment. The Trust operates with a distinct commitment to responsible capital investment, emphasizing support for specific capital expenditures rather than broader capital campaign efforts. This funding program is administered with a focused annual cycle. Proposals are due by March 1 of each year, with funding decisions communicated to applicants no later than June 30. All grants issued are for a one-year period. Importantly, grants are typically not disbursed until the recipient organization has demonstrated sufficient secured funding—either in hand, pledged, or borrowed—to complete the proposed project. This ensures that Trust funds contribute to projects with a high likelihood of successful completion and lasting community benefit. The Morgan Trust’s approach to grantmaking includes a strong preference for matching or challenge grant structures. These mechanisms are intended to stimulate broader community investment and increase the financial sustainability of the projects supported. However, organizations must plan carefully, as grants from the Trust will not be disbursed without confirmation of adequate supplementary funding to meet the full project cost. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations serving communities within Virginia. While there are no explicit restrictions listed in the guidelines, the Trust encourages organizations to apply to either the Morgan Trust or the Seay Foundation, but not both, due to the volume of requests typically received. This approach aims to maximize the equitable distribution of limited resources and encourage thoughtful targeting of applications. Organizations that have previously received a grant from either the Morgan Trust or the Seay Foundation must observe a mandatory waiting period of at least three years from the date of their last grant payment before being considered for new funding. This policy ensures that a broader array of organizations have access to grant support over time. Applications must focus exclusively on specific capital needs. Proposals for general operating support or non-specific capital campaigns are not eligible. The Trust does not specify a set application portal or system but provides a direct contact email for inquiries and submissions. Applicants are encouraged to prepare clear, goal-oriented proposals that demonstrate strong project viability, matching support, and alignment with the Trust’s mission to enhance education and human services across Virginia.