The William and Helen Thomas Grant Program

The William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust is a philanthropic foundation honoring the legacy of William and Helen Thomas of Stuart, Florida. The trust supports nonprofit organizations that serve in the areas of education, environmental conservation, medical research and care, human services, and other charitable causes aligned with the founders’ values. Rooted in a strong commitment to community service, the trust primarily focuses its giving within Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties in Florida, but also considers projects in the Appalachian region and, at the trustees' discretion, across other parts of Florida and the United States. The trust was created to carry forward the philanthropic vision of William Thomas, a former ARCO Company salesman and chairman of Enabling Technologies, and Helen Thomas, a nurse dedicated to medical education. The foundation reflects their dedication to supporting medical initiatives, especially those targeting arthritis, blindness, and diabetes, as well as programs assisting the poor and underserved. This includes focused support for populations in Appalachia and individuals of American Indian descent. The trust also gives attention to initiatives supporting orphaned children who are unlikely to be adopted due to age, disabilities, or other factors. Applicants may request funding for projects that align with any of the trust’s five core priorities: education for underserved students, preservation of the natural environment, medical research and care, assistance for impoverished communities, and support for orphaned or otherwise vulnerable children. The trust generally awards one-year, project-based grants, with grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. The average grant size is approximately $18,000, and around 60–65 grants are awarded annually. Both new and repeat applicants must demonstrate alignment with the trust’s mission and geographic focus. The annual application deadline is September 15. All applications must be submitted through the Bank of America grantmaking portal by 11:59 p.m. on that date. If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, applicants are required to submit by the preceding business day. The foundation does not accept paper applications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the process early and review the foundation’s profile and frequently asked questions on the Bank of America website to ensure eligibility and completeness. Late submissions are not accepted. Grant decisions are typically made within one to two months after the deadline. Notifications of funding decisions are sent via email. Successful applicants are required to submit a grant report within one year of the award date, regardless of whether all funds have been spent. Failure to do so will disqualify the grantee from future consideration. For technical assistance or questions about eligibility, applicants can contact the Florida Philanthropic Office by email. Key contacts include Andrew Davis, Managing Director, and Paige Bernard, Philanthropic Officer.

Ensure alignment with geographic and programmatic priorities; submit early; confirm eligibility with staff if outside FL or Appalachia; use Bank of America’s FAQs and foundation profile for prep.