Grace Isabelle McNaught Charitable Trust Grant

The Grace Isabelle McNaught Charitable Trust is a private philanthropic entity established from the estate of Grace Isabelle McNaught, a devoted teacher and long-time resident of Denver, Colorado, who lived from February 1883 to September 1966. The Trust's mission is centered on supporting charitable organizations whose work aligns with key societal pillars, specifically education, health, and human services. Its primary objective is to enhance the quality of life for residents of Colorado through general operating support grants that strengthen the organizational capacity and sustainability of its grantees. This Trust offers general operating support, meaning funds are intended to help organizations meet their foundational and ongoing needs rather than supporting specific projects or capital expenditures. Grantmaking through this Trust focuses on organizations that directly serve Colorado communities, and preference is given to those that demonstrate tangible benefits to state residents in one or more of the priority areas: education, health, and human services. Eligibility is specifically limited to charitable organizations that can demonstrate how their work benefits residents within Colorado. The Trust does not support requests for capital improvements, political campaign activities, or any activities that advocate for legislative agendas or promote lobbying. These limitations ensure that funds are strictly used to provide services or operational support rather than infrastructural or political initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round; however, organizations must submit their applications by September 1 to be considered for review at the Trust’s annual grant meeting held in November. Submissions must be made through the online application system, and upon submission, applicants receive an automated confirmation email. Grant decisions for those meeting the September 1 deadline are typically communicated before the end of the calendar year. The Trust typically issues about 12 grants per year, with an average grant size of $4,000 and a total annual giving amount of approximately $48,000. These figures provide a clear indication of the Trust’s focus on small-scale, high-impact funding directed at operational needs. While there is no indication of a matching requirement, the average grant size suggests that applicants should prepare budgets accordingly to accommodate modest funding levels. Trustee responsibilities and management of the fund are overseen by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which handles administrative matters and grant distribution. There is no individual contact name, phone number, or email address listed; all communication appears to be conducted via the online application platform and through automated email confirmations. Applicants should ensure they align with the program's mission, funding focus, and geographic requirements when preparing their application for submission by the annual deadline of September 1.