← Back to US Funders Directory

Fletcher Jones Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
15%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,075,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $175.8 million (2024)
  • Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000 (regular grants typically $100,000 - $1,000,000)
  • Geographic Focus: California private colleges and universities
  • Application Method: Invitation/consultation-based via online portal (CyberGrants)

Contact Details

Address: 1055 E Colorado Blvd, 5th Floor, Pasadena, CA 91106

Phone: 626-204-4012

Website: https://www.fletcherjonesfdn.org

Executive Director: Mary J. Spellman, EdD

Note: Potential applicants should contact the Executive Director to discuss proposal ideas before submitting an application.

Overview

The Fletcher Jones Foundation was established in 1969 and endowed in 1972 from the estate of Fletcher R. Jones, co-founder of Computer Sciences Corporation. With assets exceeding $175 million, the foundation has awarded over $275 million through nearly 3,000 grants since its inception. The foundation's primary emphasis is supporting private colleges and universities in California for academic purposes. Governed by a ten-member Board of Trustees representing diverse backgrounds in business, law, finance, banking, education, and government, the foundation is administered by a two-person staff in Pasadena. The foundation focuses on making "transformational grants that will advance grantees' progress" and seeks proposals that represent high institutional priorities. With 51 awards totaling $7.4 million in 2023 and $8.1 million in 2024, the foundation maintains a selective and strategic approach to grant-making, with grant requests far exceeding available funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Fletcher Jones Foundation operates primarily through board-reviewed grants awarded quarterly:

  • Major Institutional Grants: $100,000 - $1,000,000 (typical range for regular grants)

    • Capital projects (facilities, laboratories, learning spaces)
    • Endowed chairs and faculty positions
    • Strategic academic initiatives
    • STEM and engineering programs
    • Applications accepted through consultation with Executive Director followed by online submission via CyberGrants

  • Directed Grants: $5,000 - $100,000 (smaller grants authorized by board)

    • Specific projects aligned with trustee interests
    • Typically invitation-only

Priority Areas

Primary Focus: Private colleges and universities in California (over 96% of available funds)

Funding Categories:

  • Capital projects (buildings, renovation, learning spaces)
  • Endowed chairs and faculty fellowships
  • STEM, engineering, and science initiatives
  • Academic program development
  • General operating support
  • Research endowments
  • Scholarships and student programs

Recent Grant Examples:

  • $1 million to Chapman University for endowed chair in free speech (2024)
  • $1 million to Loyola Marymount University for Engineering Innovation Complex (2024)
  • $1 million to University of San Diego for mathematics learning space renovation (2017)
  • $700,000 to Whittier College for Civic Scholars Program (2024)

What They Don't Fund

  • Indirect costs, overhead, or similar costs (explicitly prohibited)
  • Public colleges and universities
  • Organizations outside California (except rare trustee-initiated grants)
  • K-12 schools (except rare trustee-initiated grants)
  • Non-educational organizations (except invitation-only trustee discretion)
  • Projects not representing high institutional priority

Governance and Leadership

Board Officers

Peter K. Barker - President

  • J.P. Morgan Chase, Chairman of California (retired)
  • Provides strategic direction emphasizing transformational grants and asset growth

Board of Trustees (All serve as Vice Presidents)

  • Ashwin Adarkar - McKinsey & Company, Managing Partner for Southern California
  • Samuel P. Bell - Ernst & Young, Managing Partner (retired)
  • Siobhan Burke - Paul Hastings LLP, Partner (retired)
  • Patrick C. Haden - Wilson Avenue Associates
  • Parker S. Kennedy - First American Corporation, Chairman and CEO
  • Daniel E. Lungren - Former Member of Congress, 35th District of California
  • Donald E. Nickelson - Paine Webber Group, President (retired)
  • John D. Pettker - Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Partner (retired)
  • Stewart R. Smith - Kinsmith Financial Corporation, Partner

Staff

Mary J. Spellman, EdD - Executive Director and Treasurer Rebecca Little - Executive Assistant

Leadership Insights

President Peter K. Barker emphasized in his 2024 letter: "The foundation's intention is to grow the Foundation's assets through investment returns after distributions" while continuing to make "transformational grants that will advance our grantees' progress." The foundation has grown from initial assets of $22 million to over $175 million while distributing over $275 million in grants, demonstrating disciplined stewardship and strategic grant-making.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Initial Consultation (Required)

  • Contact Executive Director Mary Spellman to discuss proposal ideas
  • Determine suitability of the request
  • Proposals must represent "a high priority for the institution"

Step 2: Letter of Inquiry (First-Time Applicants Only)

  • Required for institutions that have never received a grant
  • Reviewed by the President
  • President decides whether institution may submit full application

Step 3: Proposal Development

  • Executive Director provides narrative portion of application
  • Collaborate with Executive Director to draft proposal
  • Executive Director reviews proposal before final submission

Step 4: Online Submission

  • Submit through CyberGrants online portal when directed by Executive Director
  • No other submission methods accepted
  • Executive Director identifies quarterly cut-off dates for submission

Important Restrictions:

  • "Contact with Foundation Trustees is strongly discouraged"
  • Unsolicited proposals for special projects are not accepted
  • Must submit through consultation process with Executive Director

Decision Timeline

  • Board Meetings: Quarterly (four times per year)
  • Submission Timing: No fixed deadlines; Executive Director provides quarterly cut-off dates during proposal discussions
  • Decision Process: Staff analysis followed by full Board assessment and vote
  • Timeline: Approximately 3-4 months from submission to decision (depending on quarterly meeting schedule)

Success Rates

  • Grant Requests vs. Awards: Grant requests "far exceed funds available for distribution" (per President's 2024 letter)
  • 2023 Activity: 51 awards made totaling $7,425,000
  • 2024 Activity: Grants totaled $8,075,000
  • Estimated Success Rate: Highly competitive (specific percentage not disclosed)

Reapplication Policy

Two-year minimum hiatus between receipt of a grant and submission of a new grant application

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply but should consult with Executive Director about timing and appropriateness of resubmission.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Priorities

Transformational Impact: The foundation explicitly seeks proposals that will "advance institutional progress" with lasting benefit. President Barker emphasizes the foundation makes "transformational grants" rather than incremental support.

High Institutional Priority: Applications must represent "a high priority for the institution" - not just a good idea, but a strategic imperative aligned with institutional goals.

No Overhead Costs: "Foundation funds may not be used for indirect, overhead, or other similar costs." Budget proposals must demonstrate direct program impact.

Strategic Positioning

Pre-Application Consultation is Critical: The required consultation with Executive Director Mary Spellman before submission allows applicants to:

  • Test alignment with foundation priorities
  • Receive feedback on proposal framing
  • Understand competitive landscape
  • Tailor proposal to foundation preferences

Recent Funding Patterns: Analysis of recent grants shows strong emphasis on:

  • STEM and engineering facilities and programs
  • Endowed chairs in strategic academic areas
  • Innovative learning spaces promoting collaboration
  • Programs with community impact and experiential learning components

Relationship Building

Long-Term Partnerships: The foundation demonstrates loyalty to institutions, with many receiving multiple grants over decades (e.g., LMU has received over $7.7 million since 1981, USD over $5 million).

Trustee Contact Discouraged: The explicit prohibition on contacting trustees suggests the foundation values professional staff-mediated relationships over personal networking.

Proposal Content

Scale Matters: Regular grants range from $100,000 to $1 million, suggesting the foundation seeks substantial, institution-changing projects rather than modest program support.

California Private Higher Education Focus: With over 96% of funds going to California private colleges and universities, applicants must be in this category (rare exceptions made at trustee discretion).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Consultation is mandatory, not optional: Do not attempt to submit without first discussing your project with Executive Director Mary Spellman. This relationship is the gateway to funding.

  • Think transformational, not incremental: The foundation explicitly seeks "transformational grants" that advance institutional progress. Frame proposals around strategic institutional priorities with lasting impact.

  • STEM and facilities are strong priorities: Recent grant patterns show significant investment in engineering, mathematics, and science facilities and programs, though other academic areas receive support.

  • No overhead means direct impact budgets: Budget exclusively for direct program costs. Any indirect cost allocation will disqualify your proposal.

  • Two-year hiatus rule requires strategic planning: If you receive a grant, you cannot reapply for at least two years. Plan accordingly and consider bundling related needs into a single larger request.

  • Scale your request appropriately: With most regular grants in the $100,000 - $1,000,000 range and only 51 grants awarded from a highly competitive pool, requests should be substantial and well-justified.

  • Only California private institutions need apply: Unless invited by trustees (rare), you must be a private college or university in California. Public institutions and out-of-state organizations should not apply.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory