James M Johnston Trust For Charitable Education

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,617,636 (2024)
• Total Assets: $93,612,850 (2024)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $100,000
• Geographic Focus: Washington, D.C. metro area and North Carolina
• Application Type: Accepts unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Address: 2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 870, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-7013

Phone: (301) 907-0135

Executive Director: Julia G. Saunders

Note: The foundation does not have a website. Grant application materials can be accessed through the foundation's IRS Form 990 tax filings or by contacting the foundation directly.

Overview

The James M. Johnston Trust for Charitable and Educational Purposes was established in 1968 by James M. Johnston, an investment banker and senior partner of Johnston, Lemon & Co. with offices in Washington, D.C. Johnston, who was born and educated in North Carolina, also held leading roles at the Washington Mutual Investors Fund, the International Bank of Washington, and Julius Garfinkel & Co. The trust began grantmaking operations in 1969 and has since become a significant supporter of education in the D.C. metro area and North Carolina, with total assets of approximately $93.6 million as of 2024. Since its inception, a major portion of the trust's funds has been committed to the James M. Johnston Scholars Program for undergraduates and nursing students at the University of North Carolina, the founder's alma mater. The foundation distributed $4.6 million in grants in 2024, focusing primarily on educational institutions and nursing education programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust supports educational institutions and programs through direct grants to organizations rather than individual student scholarships (except through university partnerships).

Primary Focus Areas:

• Nursing Education Support: $10,000 - $100,000

  • Nursing student scholarships (administered through educational institutions)
  • Faculty salaries for nursing programs
  • Continuing education for healthcare professionals
  • Student work-study programs for nursing students

• Higher Education: $10,000 - $100,000

  • Undergraduate scholarship programs
  • Program support for educational institutions
  • Faculty compensation

• Secondary Education: $10,000 - $100,000

  • Support for secondary educational institutions
  • Youth development programs

Priority Areas

• Education and Youth Development: Primary focus on educational initiatives in Washington, D.C., metro area and North Carolina
• Nursing Education: Particular emphasis on training nurses, including scholarships, faculty support, and continuing education
• James M. Johnston Scholars Program at UNC: Long-standing commitment to undergraduate and nursing students at the University of North Carolina, including enrichment programs, faculty mentors, Johnston Honors Seminars, and leadership activities
• Washington, D.C. Metro Area Schools: Local educational institutions including secondary schools

Past Grant Recipients

• University of North Carolina (major ongoing commitment for Johnston Scholars Program)
• Concord Hill School (Chevy Chase, MD)
• Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys (Washington, D.C.)
• DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, MD)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's focus is clearly limited to educational institutions in Washington, D.C., and North Carolina, with particular emphasis on nursing and higher education.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Julia G. Saunders - Executive Director (Compensation: $159,000 annually)
• W. Dunbar Gram - Trustee
• Helen Pate - Trustee
• Theo T. Hayes - Trustee
• Tracy Pate - Trustee
• Stephen Hayes - Trustee

Trustees receive compensation ranging from $14,000 to $84,000 annually.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The James M. Johnston Trust for Charitable and Educational Purposes accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofit organizations. However, the foundation does not maintain a website or publish application guidelines online.

To obtain application materials:

1. Review the trust's IRS Form 990 tax filings (available through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer or GuideStar) which may contain application instructions
2. Contact the foundation directly at (301) 907-0135 to request application materials and current guidelines
3. Direct general questions to staff at the phone number provided

Application Deadline: Past records indicate application deadlines have been in October, though applicants should confirm current deadlines by contacting the foundation directly.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Applicants should inquire about expected timeframes when submitting applications.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volume data are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations should inquire directly with the foundation about reapplication opportunities if an initial application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not publish specific application guidance, the following factors can be inferred from their funding patterns:

Alignment with Geographic Focus: The foundation has a clear preference for educational institutions in Washington, D.C., metro area and North Carolina, particularly those with connections to the founder's legacy.

Focus on Nursing Education: Organizations providing nursing education, training, or scholarships appear to be particularly well-positioned, given the foundation's documented emphasis on this area.

Institutional vs. Individual Support: The trust primarily funds educational institutions rather than individual students (except through university-administered scholarship programs like the Johnston Scholars Program at UNC).

Long-term Relationships: The foundation has maintained multi-decade commitments to certain institutions (particularly UNC), suggesting they value long-term partnerships over one-time grants.

Comprehensive Educational Support: Successful grants have included diverse aspects of educational support including scholarships, faculty salaries, work-study programs, and continuing education—not just direct student aid.

Local Impact in D.C. Metro: Past local grantees include well-established educational institutions serving the Washington, D.C., area, suggesting a preference for organizations with demonstrated track records.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic alignment is critical: Focus your application on how your organization serves the Washington, D.C., metro area or North Carolina, as these are the foundation's primary geographic priorities
• Nursing education receives priority: If your organization provides nursing education, training, or scholarships, emphasize this prominently as it aligns with the foundation's documented focus areas
• No website means direct contact is essential: Without online resources, building a relationship through phone contact and understanding current priorities directly from staff is crucial
• Grant range indicates institutional support: With grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the foundation appears to support organizational programs rather than small projects
• Historical commitment suggests ongoing support: The foundation's multi-decade support of UNC and local D.C. schools indicates they may be interested in long-term partnerships rather than one-time grants
• Timing matters: With past deadlines in October, plan to contact the foundation well in advance to obtain application materials and understand current submission requirements
• Form 990 review recommended: Before applying, review recent Form 990 filings to see current grant recipients and amounts, which can help you benchmark your request appropriately

References

• Inside Philanthropy: James M. Johnston Trust for Charitable and Educational Purposes profile (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/washington-dc-grants/james-m-johnston-trust-for-charitable-and-educational-purposes)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: James M Johnston Trust For Charitable Education, EIN 23-7019796 (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237019796)
• Foundation Directory (Candid): The James M Johnston Trust for Char & Educ Purposes (https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=JOHN024)
• GrantStation: The James M. Johnston Trust for Charitable and Educational Purposes (https://grantstation.com/grantmakers/james-m-johnston-trust)
• Charity Navigator: James M Johnston Trust for Charitable Education profile (https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/237019796)
• Information accessed: January 2026