Jones Family Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $495,600 - $905,843 (varies by year)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation only)
• Decision Time: N/A (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: $7 - $316,900
• Geographic Focus: Alabama (primary), North Carolina and Florida (secondary)

Contact Details

• Website: None
• Phone: None listed
• Email: None listed
• Address: Birmingham, AL

Overview

The Jones Family Fund is a private family foundation established in March 2008 with assets of approximately $15-16 million. The foundation distributes between $495,600 and $905,843 annually through 60-90+ grants to preselected charitable organizations. Led by D. Paul Jones Jr., a prominent Alabama philanthropist and business leader, the foundation focuses on education, human services, and philanthropic initiatives primarily in Alabama, with some giving in North Carolina and Florida. The foundation operates exclusively through pre-selection and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but makes contributions across three main areas:

• Education grants: $7 - $316,900 (supporting educational institutions and programs)
• Human Services grants: Various amounts (supporting social service organizations)
• Philanthropy & Voluntarism grants: Various amounts (supporting other charitable foundations)

Priority Areas

• Education (all levels, with emphasis on higher education)
• Human Services
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations
• Medical research and healthcare (based on founder's giving history)
• Arts and culture in Birmingham area

What They Don't Fund

As an invitation-only funder, they do not fund:

• Unsolicited requests
• Organizations outside their preselected network
• International causes (focus is domestic US)

Governance and Leadership

President/Secretary/Treasurer: D. Paul Jones Jr. (born 1942)

• Prominent Alabama business leader and philanthropist
• Former Chair of the Business Council of Alabama
• Major supporter of University of Alabama (endowed chairs in Business, Law, and Medical Schools)
• Active in Birmingham cultural institutions (Alabama Symphony, Birmingham Botanical Gardens)
• Has led fundraising for Salvation Army, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and Alabama Liver Foundation

Vice Presidents:

• Allison J. Holt
• Holly J. Terrell

The foundation reports no officer compensation, indicating all leadership serves on a volunteer basis.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on pre-existing relationships and strategic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on D. Paul Jones Jr.'s documented philanthropic activities, organizations may come to the foundation's attention through:

• Connections with the University of Alabama system where Jones has extensive involvement
• Participation in Business Council of Alabama activities where Jones served as Chair
• Birmingham-area cultural institutions where Jones is active (Alabama Symphony, Birmingham Botanical Gardens)
• Medical research initiatives, particularly through UAB Medical School where Jones has endowed positions
• Major Alabama charitable campaigns where Jones has served in leadership roles

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - decisions made internally for preselected organizations

Success Rates

Not applicable - invitation only

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invitation only

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates by invitation only, traditional application advice does not apply. However, based on the foundation's giving patterns and D. Paul Jones Jr.'s documented interests:

• The foundation shows strong preference for Alabama-based organizations, particularly in Birmingham and university communities
• Education receives the largest grants, with single gifts up to $316,900 recorded
• The foundation supports both large institutional gifts and smaller community organizations
• Medical research and healthcare initiatives align with Jones's personal giving history through UAB Medical School support
• Cultural organizations in Birmingham have historically received support through Jones's personal philanthropy

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• The foundation is deeply rooted in Alabama, particularly Birmingham, with D. Paul Jones Jr.'s extensive business and civic connections
• Education is the primary funding focus, receiving the largest individual grants
• Building relationships through Alabama business, education, and cultural networks may lead to consideration
• The foundation makes 60-90+ grants annually, showing capacity for supporting numerous organizations
• Asset base of $15-16 million suggests long-term stability and continued grant-making capacity
• All officers serve without compensation, indicating 100% of investment returns go toward charitable purposes

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Jones Family Fund Form 990 Filings (2018-2024). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/260426186. Accessed February 11, 2026.
• Cause IQ - Jones Family Fund Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jones-family-fund,260426186/. Accessed February 11, 2026.
• Grantmakers.io - Jones Family Fund Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/260426186-jones-family-fund/. Accessed February 11, 2026.
• Instrumentl - Jones Family Fund 990 Report Analysis. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jones-family-fund. Accessed February 11, 2026.
• Alabama Academy of Honor - D. Paul Jones Biography. https://www.alabamaacademyofhonor.org/d-paul-jones. Accessed February 11, 2026.
• University of Alabama Business Hall of Fame - D. Paul Jones Jr. Profile. https://abhof.culverhouse.ua.edu/member/d-paul-jones-jr/. Accessed February 11, 2026.