Clay And Debbiejones Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,128,525 (2024)
• Total Assets: $18.4 million
• Grant Range: Information not publicly available (major gifts $1M - $5M documented)
• Geographic Focus: National (documented grants in Tennessee, Iowa, Florida)
• Application Process: No public application process
• Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 224 Abbotsford Road Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-7034

Phone: (319) 294-8701

Administrative Location: Naples, FL

Note: This foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact email for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Clay And Debbiejones Family Foundation was established in June 2009 as a private family foundation led by Clay Jones, former Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins Inc., and his wife Debbie Jones. The foundation has grown significantly since its inception, with total assets increasing from approximately $400,000 in 2011 to over $18.3 million by 2024. Based in Naples, Florida, with administrative ties to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the foundation distributed $1.1 million in charitable grants in 2024. The foundation operates as a private grantmaker without a public application process, focusing on causes personally meaningful to the Jones family, particularly education, leadership development, and Alzheimer's research. Clay Jones, a 1971 University of Tennessee graduate and former U.S. Air Force pilot, retired from Rockwell Collins in 2013 after eleven years as CEO. The foundation reflects the couple's commitment to giving back to institutions and causes that shaped their lives.

Funding Priorities

Known Priority Areas

Based on documented giving patterns, the foundation supports:

Education & Leadership Development

• University leadership and service programs
• Student leadership initiatives
• Campus-based leadership programming endowments
• Programs fostering civic engagement and community service among students

Healthcare & Medical Research

• Alzheimer's disease research, particularly supporting early-career scientists
• Alzheimer's awareness and education programs
• Research through established medical institutions and associations

Community Development

• Causes in Iowa and Tennessee communities where the family has connections
• Organizations aligned with the foundation's values around leadership and service

Major Documented Grants

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville: $1 million (2009) for student leadership programming; later $5 million gift (2019) leading to naming of the Clay and Debbie Jones Center for Leadership and Service
• Alzheimer's Association: Zenith Society-level gifts supporting the International Research Grant Program and early-career researchers
• Additional grants documented in annual 990-PF filings not publicly accessible online

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not published, as a private family foundation they likely do not fund:

• Organizations outside their areas of personal interest
• General operating support for organizations without connection to their priorities
• Projects unrelated to education, leadership, or healthcare research

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Officers

Clay Jones - President

• Former Chairman, President & CEO of Rockwell Collins Inc. (retired 2013)
• University of Tennessee alumnus (1971, Political Science)
• Named a university Torchbearer (UT's highest undergraduate honor)
• Former U.S. Air Force pilot (F-15 jets, late 1970s)
• Served on UT Alumni Board (Chair, 2016)
• Currently serves on Motorola Solutions board
• No compensation from foundation

Debbie Jones - Vice President

• Active volunteer with Alzheimer's Association for nearly 20 years
• Served on East Central Iowa Chapter board and National Board of Directors
• Co-chair of Zenith Society (2016)
• Personal connection to Alzheimer's cause through her mother, Tish Smith
• No compensation from foundation

Key Leadership Quotes

Clay Jones on their philanthropy: "After several decades of investment in science, we have the foundational building blocks... we just need to provide the funding."

Debbie Jones on Alzheimer's research: "We feel that we're on the cusp of something really important in terms of prevention and treatment." She promised her mother to "never forget what this disease did to her and our family."

Clay Jones on giving to UT: "I wanted to give back to the university that played a formative role in my development."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Clay And Debbiejones Family Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. There is no online application portal, published guidelines, or open call for proposals.

Grants appear to be made to organizations and causes with which the Jones family has personal connections or established relationships, particularly in communities where they have lived and worked (Iowa, Tennessee, Florida).

Getting on Their Radar

IMPORTANT: Based on available public information, this foundation makes grants through private initiative and personal connections rather than responding to unsolicited proposals. The following represents the specific approach this foundation has demonstrated:

• Personal Connection to Leadership: The Joneses support causes where they have direct involvement. Debbie Jones has served on boards (Alzheimer's Association), and Clay has served on university alumni boards.

• Alumni Networks: Clay Jones is deeply connected to University of Tennessee alumni activities, having served as Alumni Board Chair in 2016. Organizations connected to UT or similar institutions where the Joneses have ties may have pathways through alumni networks.

• Board Service: Debbie's nearly 20 years of involvement with Alzheimer's Association demonstrates they learn about causes through direct board participation and volunteer engagement.

• Geographic Connections: The foundation has documented giving in communities where the Jones family has lived and worked: Cedar Rapids, IA (Rockwell Collins headquarters); Knoxville, TN (Clay's alma mater); and Naples, FL (current residence).

• Cause Champions: The foundation appears drawn to organizations where they can see direct impact. Their Alzheimer's giving stems from Debbie's mother's diagnosis; their education giving connects to Clay's formative experiences.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made through trustee discretion rather than application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, the following factors appear to characterize organizations that have successfully received support:

Personal Connection & Relationship Building

• Organizations where the Joneses have direct involvement through board service, volunteer work, or alumni connections
• Causes reflecting personal experiences (Debbie's mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis drove their medical research philanthropy)
• Institutions that played formative roles in their lives (University of Tennessee)

Geographic Ties

• Organizations in Cedar Rapids, IA (where Clay led Rockwell Collins for decades)
• University of Tennessee and Knoxville-area organizations
• Naples, FL community organizations (current residence)

Focus on Leadership & Research Excellence

• Programs developing next-generation leaders (student leadership programs at UT)
• Early-career researchers in Alzheimer's disease (International Research Grant Program)
• Organizations emphasizing measurable impact and excellence

Mission Alignment

• Clay's quote about UT: "the university played a formative role in my development" - they support institutions and programs that develop people
• Debbie's commitment to "never forget" her mother's struggle - causes tied to personal promises and values
• Both demonstrate long-term commitment (nearly 20 years with Alzheimer's Association)

Major Gift Capacity

• Documented gifts range from $1 million to $5 million
• Foundation appears to make significant investments rather than many small grants
• Total annual giving around $1.1 million suggests they make select, meaningful grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This is a private family foundation making grants through trustee discretion. Do not send unsolicited proposals.

• Relationship-Driven Grantmaking: All documented major grants stem from personal connections - Clay's alma mater, Debbie's board service with Alzheimer's Association, communities where they've lived.

• Major Gifts Focus: With $18+ million in assets and $1.1 million in annual giving, they make substantial grants to select organizations rather than distributing many small grants.

• Personal Experience Drives Priorities: Debbie's mother's Alzheimer's diagnosis and Clay's formative experience at UT directly shaped their giving - they support causes with personal meaning.

• Long-Term Commitment: Debbie's nearly 20 years with Alzheimer's Association and multiple gifts to UT demonstrate they build lasting relationships with beneficiaries.

• Leadership & Excellence: Both major giving areas (education leadership programs, early-career research scientists) emphasize developing the next generation of leaders in their fields.

• Geographic Pattern: Iowa (Rockwell Collins connection), Tennessee (Clay's alma mater), and Florida (current residence) represent their documented giving footprint.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Clay And Debbiejones Family Foundation (EIN 26-3838076), accessed February 13, 2026, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/263838076

2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, "Rockwell Collins Chairman and UT Knoxville Alum Invests in Student Leadership Program," December 3, 2009, https://news.utk.edu/2009/12/03/rockwell-collins-chairman-invests-in-student-leadership/

3. The Gazette (Cedar Rapids), "Rockwell Collins CEO Clay Jones and wife Debbie donate $1 million to University of Tennessee," December 7, 2009

4. Alzheimer's Association, "PACE: Debbie and Clay Jones," accessed February 13, 2026, https://www.alz.org/stepupthepace/partner-profile-jones.asp

5. Clay and Debbie Jones Center for Leadership and Service, "Our Benefactors," University of Tennessee, Knoxville, accessed February 13, 2026, https://leadserve.utk.edu/our-benefactors/

6. UT Daily Beacon, "CLS re-branded in honor of Clay and Debbie Jones, promises further cultivation of student leaders," April 11, 2019

7. University of Tennessee Alumni, "Clay Jones to Lead Alumni Board," July 12, 2016, https://news.utk.edu/2016/07/12/clay-jones-lead-alumni-board/

8. Clayton M. Jones Wikipedia entry, accessed February 13, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clayton_M._Jones