The Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust was established in 1981 with a mission to support and promote quality educational, cultural, human services, and healthcare programming for all people. The trust was founded by Roy Sturgis, who came from humble beginnings as the son of an Arkansas farmer, and his wife Christine Johns. The couple found success in the timber, lumber, and sawmill industries in Arkansas, and through their business ventures, they amassed wealth. Although they did not have children, they were deeply committed to supporting educational opportunities for youth, as well as organizations working in health, social services, and the arts.

The trust’s funding focus includes grants for capital, project-related activities, medical research, and endowment campaigns. Occasionally, multi-year support is awarded. The foundation is particularly interested in funding educational opportunities and healthcare programs. It also encourages requests from organizations involved in cultural and human service initiatives. The majority of the trust’s funds are distributed within the state of Arkansas, with approximately 65% of annual distributions allocated to this state. The remaining 35% is directed toward Texas, with strong preference given to organizations located in the Dallas area.

Organizations seeking funding from the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust can apply for grants that are typically one year in duration. Multi-year grants are also awarded on occasion. However, there are restrictions on how frequently an organization can apply. If an organization receives a one-year grant, it must wait at least one year before submitting a new application. Similarly, organizations receiving multi-year grants must wait two years after the last installment before reapplying. This policy ensures that the trust’s funding is spread across various initiatives and organizations.

The trust accepts requests for a variety of purposes, including capital improvements, project-specific funding, medical research, and endowment campaigns. However, it does not generally fund start-up programs or provide significant general operating funding. The application process is managed by the Texas office, and applicants are encouraged to follow the guidelines carefully when submitting their proposals.

The application deadline for the trust is March 1 of each year. Organizations are advised to follow the trust’s procedures and utilize the available resources, including online help and PDF documents, to assist with the application process. For additional inquiries or to discuss the application process, potential applicants are encouraged to contact the trust through the provided email address (tx.philanthropic@bofa.com). They must include the foundation name in the email subject line for easy identification.

Finally, it is important to note that the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust does not have any specific geographic restrictions other than being focused on Arkansas and Texas. The trust particularly favors Texas-based organizations that serve the Dallas area. While it does not impose any significant restrictions beyond its geographic focus, applicants should adhere strictly to the deadline and procedures outlined by the foundation.