Secular Distribution Grant

The Secular Distribution Grant supports charitable activities aimed at enhancing community well-being, particularly within 100 miles of Coatesville, PA. Focused on health and human services, the grant encourages projects that address community needs, foster self-reliance, and promote civic engagement. With a commitment to philanthropic impact, funding is reserved for organizations demonstrating 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and a proven need, while maintaining strict eligibility criteria to ensure effective resource allocation.

Mr. Huston stipulated that forty percent of the annual distributions from the Trust are to be used for secular charitable activities within one hundred miles of Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
Grants generally are made in the following program categories.
Health and Human Services
Activities which promote community-based health care.
Programs which provide emotional and pysical support to children, youth, adults, and senior citizens, as well as those which strengthen families and assist individuals with special needs.
Programs which increase employment oppurtunites and provide a means for developing self-reliance, responsibility and productivity among individuals in need.
Civic Affairs
Projects that enhance the quality of life in local communities and revitalize them.
Programs which provide educational opportunities for individuals, including those with special needs.
Programs which promote human relations and understanding among diverse populations
Activities addressing the speacial needs of youth at risk for delinquency, school drop-out, abuse, neglect, and pregnancy.
Activities that enable a broad spectrum of citizens to have access to artistic and cultural experiences which may otherwise be denied them.
Programs which help preserve/exhibit historic, artistic and cultural treasures.
On a very limited basis, fundraising efforts such as festivals, concerts and other events.
General Grant Restrictions
The following restrictions apply to all organizations requesting funds from The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust:

• All grant awards are subject to the vote of the full Trustee body.
• It is not the intention of the Trustees to establish a permanent grant relationship with grantees.

During the period in which a present grantee is receiving tentative payments on a previously awarded grant, the Trustees will not entertain a new grant request until the multi-year commitment is completed.
Additionally, for good and sufficient reasons, the Trustees reserve the right to cancel future grant payments on any multi-year commitments they have made.
The Trustees will not award a new grant to an organization which has unfulfilled reporting requirements from a previous grant award.

Eligibility

The following requirements are mandatory for all organizations requesting funds from The Stewart Huston Charitable Trust: Tax StatusApplicants must have evidence of being granted 501(c)(3) tax exemption
status by the Internal Revenue Service. Demonstrated NeedRequests for support must demonstrate that the program/organization is addressing a known community need, and not simply duplicating existing efforts. Types of SupportWhile the Trustees prefer to provide support for specific projects that address a particular community need or issue, support is considered for general operations, capital projects, equipment purchases, and last-resort funding on a selective case-by-case and meritorious basis.Grants should impact the area within 100 miles of Coatesvile, PA and have a focus on health and human services.

Ineligibility

With regard to types of grants, the Trustees do not make grant awards for:

• Financial support for individuals
• Endowment purposes
• Purchases of tickets for benefit purposes
• Coverage of continuing operating deficitsConcerning types of organizations, support is not provided to the following:
• Organizations not qualified for tax-exempt ststus under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS code.

Intermediate or pass-through organizations (other than United Way and Chester County Community Foundation) which in turn allocate funds to beneficiaries of their own selection.
Groups such as fraternal organizations, political parties or candidates, veterans, labor or local civic groups, volunteer fire companies, and groups involved in influencing legislation.