WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation
The William I. H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation is a private foundation based in Orlando, Florida. Established in 1941, it supports eligible charitable organizations in Georgia that are affiliated with the Methodist Church.
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation at a glance
In short: WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation gave $5.1M across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $341K), mostly in Georgia. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,119,572
- +6.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- -6.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $341,305
- +13.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $249,000
- Total assets
- $51,732,292
- -2.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (2 of 15, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the online grant application form. The foundation’s filing says application materials are available on its website, and that awards are limited to Georgia. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- March 1.
- Deadline
- March 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Truist Bank
Mailing address: PO Box 4655 Mc 221, Atlanta, GA 30302
Phone: (404) 588-7347
Website: https://pittsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Andrew College ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $4.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 18 grants of 72 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated geographic restriction is Georgia. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 15 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $195K; repeat grants $364K. How we count
Medians: $195K first-time, $249K repeat.
- 80% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.3M (2019) to $5.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $5.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew College Cuthbert, GA | General Operating | $1,242,936 |
| Lagrange College Lagrange, GA | General Operating | $1,042,936 |
| Wesleyan College Macon, GA | General Operating | $515,000 |
| Emory University Chandler School Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $440,000 |
| Gammon Theological Seminary Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $375,000 |
| Epworth by the Sea St Simons Island, GA | General Operating | $300,000 |
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | General Operating | $250,000 |
| Methodist Home for Children & Youth Macon, GA | General Operating | $249,000 |
| Reinhardt University Waleska, GA | General Operating | $200,000 |
| Young Harris College Young Harrsi, GA | General Operating | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists assets of approximately $90 million, without specifying a year. Filing-year financial figures are:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,732,292 | $4,446,230 | $5,522,013 | $5,119,572 | 15 | $5,289,326 | $4,260,048 | $5,620,018 |
| 2024 | $52,791,553 | $7,215,449 | $5,235,514 | $4,802,872 | 16 | $4,957,616 | $7,040,376 | $5,256,888 |
| 2023 | $50,810,073 | $1,764,453 | $5,257,102 | $4,933,872 | 14 | $5,081,578 | $2,511,080 | $4,949,941 |
| 2022 | $53,477,942 | $8,086,658 | $5,348,826 | $4,908,247 | 13 | $5,058,529 | $7,840,182 | $5,083,874 |
| 2021 | $50,717,314 | $7,508,702 | $4,802,352 | $4,435,872 | 14 | $4,586,112 | $7,357,770 | $5,096,021 |
| 2020 | $47,743,741 | $1,019,082 | $4,772,418 | $4,411,872 | 12 | — | $1,893,813 | $4,537,912 |
| 2019 | $51,750,458 | $9,524,328 | $4,847,602 | $4,304,372 | 11 | — | $9,383,582 | $4,553,670 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.6M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s guiding principles describe its interests as exclusively charitable and geographically restricted to Georgia, with eligible charities required to be affiliated with the Methodist Church. Its specified areas of interest are education, children’s homes, charitable hospitals, and care of the elderly.
Its 2025 grants included colleges and universities, a theological seminary, a retreat center, and community organizations. For example, Andrew College describes its mission as preparing students for servant leadership and purpose through higher education; Gammon Theological Seminary describes its mission as educating pastors and leaders for ministry; and Open Door Community House describes its mission as empowering low-income people in its community.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $5,119,572. The grants ranged from $15,000 to $1,242,936, with a median of $249,000. The listed grants were for general operating support.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $1,242,936 to Andrew College, $1,042,936 to LaGrange College, $515,000 to Wesleyan College, $440,000 to Emory University Chandler School, and $375,000 to Gammon Theological Seminary.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Truist Bank as trustee. Listed officers and directors are Bishop Mike Watson, chairman, and board members Elizabeth Ogie, Dan McAlexander, Jenner Wood, Philip Millians, Ralph R. Morrison, Bishop James E. Swanson, Jenna Kelly, and Linda Buchanan.
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation is led by Bishop Mike Watson, Chairman on every filing since 2019; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bishop Mike Watson
Chairman
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Truist Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$252K (2019) → $292K (2025)
Bishop James E. Swanson
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan McAlexander
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Ogie
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenna Kelly
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jenner Wood
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Buchanan
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip Millians
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ralph R. Morrison
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $292K, to Truist Bank (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation
How much does WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation give each year?
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation gave $5.1M across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.8M across 16 grants.
What is WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's typical grant size?
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $249,000, and its average grant was $341,305, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation that year got $195K on average.
Where does WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation give grants?
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation gives mostly in Georgia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (3 grants) and Macon, GA (3 grants).
Does WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's largest grantees?
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Andrew College ($1,242,936), Lagrange College ($1,042,936) and Wesleyan College ($515,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation?
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation reported $51.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation fund?
The foundation’s guiding principles describe its interests as exclusively charitable and geographically restricted to Georgia, with eligible charities required to be affiliated with the Methodist Church. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation?
Applications are submitted through the online grant application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's EIN?
WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-6026047. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 18, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wih-and-lula-e-pitts-foundation-morg_d462fed3b1f840ebae5747697b9793bd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_586026047_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wih-and-lula-e-pitts-foundation-morg_d462fed3b1f840ebae5747697b9793bd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from WIH and Lula E Pitts Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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