Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7,435,576 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle (meetings follow quarterly deadlines)
• Grant Range: Varies widely - from tens of thousands to $5 million for major capital projects
• Median Grant: $48,000
• Geographic Focus: Lyon, Coffey, and Osage counties in Kansas
• Total Assets: $59.4 million

Contact Details

Trustee: Bank of America, N.A.

Address: PO Box 653067, Dallas, TX 75265-3067

Phone: 888-866-3275

Email: tx.philanthropic@bofa.com

Website: https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/foundation/?fnId=166

EIN: 48-0674648

Overview

The Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust was established in 1961 through the estates of Walter and Evan Jones, successful farmers and cattlemen in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. Originally created to help develop a cure for polio, the trust's mission evolved after a polio vaccine was licensed in the early 1960s. Today, Bank of America serves as trustee for this private foundation, which has grown to hold assets of $59.4 million and distributes approximately $7.4 million annually through 26 grants. The trust focuses exclusively on improving the quality of life in three Kansas counties: Lyon, Coffey, and Osage. Over its six-decade history, the trust has become one of the most significant philanthropic forces in East Central Kansas, funding transformational projects in education, healthcare, human services, and community development. The trust has provided over $10.9 million to Emporia State University alone and has been instrumental in major capital campaigns throughout the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust operates a single comprehensive grant program with quarterly deadlines accepting applications on a rolling basis. Grants range from modest program support (median $48,000) to multi-million dollar transformational gifts.

Types of Support Considered:

• General Operating Support - Core operational funding for eligible organizations
• Program Support - Funding for specific programs or initiatives
• Capital Support - Buildings, land, and major equipment (must meet compelling community need and offer broad social benefit)
• Multi-year Grants - Available for larger initiatives (e.g., 5-year, $2.4 million grant to CrossWinds)

Priority Areas

Education The trust maintains a strong commitment to educational advancement, from K-12 through higher education. Recent grants include a historic $5 million gift to Emporia State University for a nursing and student wellness building, $2 million to Flint Hills Technical College for an Advanced Industry Education Center, and $2 million for the Mobilizing Literacy program to prepare preschool through third-grade students for success.

Health and Medical Services Building on its original mission to combat polio, the trust continues prioritizing healthcare improvements. Significant recent investments include $1.5 million to Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas for their Breaking Stigma, Breaking Ground program and partnerships with Newman Regional Health to improve local healthcare infrastructure.

Human Services The trust has expanded to support human service organizations addressing critical community needs. Notable examples include a $1 million grant to Southwick House for transitional housing for women and families, and $2.4 million over five years to CrossWinds Counseling & Wellness to expand mental health services, including $75,000 specifically for children's programs.

Community Development & Capacity Building The trust funds projects that enhance recreational or governmental services and build community capacity. This includes improvements to public facilities, youth recreation programs, and infrastructure projects that benefit the broader community.

What They Don't Fund

While the trust does not publish an explicit exclusions list, geographic restrictions are strictly enforced:

• Organizations outside Lyon, Coffey, and Osage counties, Kansas - The trust's charter limits funding to these three counties only
• Individual scholarships through this trust - Note: The separate Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Foundation handles individual educational and medical grants for county residents

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Bank of America, N.A. serves as corporate trustee, managing the trust's assets and grant administration from their Dallas, TX office.

Advisory Committee: The trust operates with an Advisory Committee that provides local insight and guidance on grant decisions. Greg Bachman has been identified as a member of the Jones Trust Advisory Committee, representing the Kansas community perspective in grant deliberations.

Trust Structure: As a testamentary trust (created through the will of Walter S. and Evan C. Jones), the foundation operates under specific guidelines established by the donors and refined through court decisions. Bank of America's Philanthropic Solutions division manages day-to-day operations and grant review processes.

The trust benefits from Bank of America's professional trust management while maintaining strong local connections through its advisory structure, ensuring grants align with both the donors' original intent and current community needs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust accepts applications on a rolling basis with quarterly deadlines.

Application Deadlines: Grant applications must be received no later than:

• March 20 (for consideration at spring meeting)
• June 20 (for consideration at summer meeting)
• September 20 (for consideration at fall meeting)
• December 20 (for consideration at winter meeting)

Submission Method: Contact Bank of America's Philanthropic Solutions office to request application materials and submission instructions:

• Email: tx.philanthropic@bofa.com
• Phone: 888-866-3275

Eligibility Requirements:

• Organization must serve Lyon, Coffey, and/or Osage counties in Kansas
• Must be a tax-exempt organization (501(c)(3) or governmental entity)
• Project must align with trust priorities: education, health, human services, or community development

Application Components: While specific application requirements should be confirmed with the trustee, typical components include:

• Organizational background and mission
• Project description and community need
• Budget and other funding sources
• Outcomes and measurement plan
• Board list and financial statements

Capital Requests: Capital support requests for buildings, land, and major equipment require demonstration of:

• Compelling community need
• Broad social benefit to the region
• Long-term sustainability plan

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

• Applications are reviewed quarterly following each deadline
• The Advisory Committee and Bank of America trustees evaluate proposals
• Decisions are made at quarterly grants meetings

Notification: Typical timeline from deadline to decision is approximately 1-3 months, though this can vary based on proposal complexity and the need for additional information. Applicants should plan accordingly when budgeting project timelines.

Multi-year Grants: The trust has demonstrated willingness to make multi-year commitments for significant initiatives (e.g., the 5-year, $2.4 million grant to CrossWinds). These larger grants may require additional review time and potentially a presentation to the Advisory Committee.

Success Rates

The trust makes approximately 26 grants annually. Specific data on the number of applications received versus awards made is not publicly available, making it difficult to calculate a precise success rate. However, several factors suggest the process is moderately competitive:

• The trust serves only three Kansas counties with a relatively defined pool of eligible organizations
• Average award of $286,000 per grant (total giving divided by number of grants) suggests selective but generous funding
• Recent major grants indicate capacity for transformational gifts to well-prepared applicants
• Multi-million dollar awards suggest the trust conducts thorough due diligence

Reapplication Policy

The trust's reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in public materials. However, the pattern of grantmaking suggests:

• Organizations receive multiple grants over time (e.g., Emporia State University has received numerous grants totaling over $10.9 million)
• Both previous grantees and new applicants appear to be considered equally
• The trust makes multi-year commitments to some organizations while supporting others with discrete project grants

Applicants should contact Bank of America's Philanthropic Solutions office for specific guidance on reapplication timing and procedures.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent successful grants and the trust's documented priorities, the following factors appear to enhance application success:

Demonstrate Compelling Community Need Successful applicants clearly articulate specific community needs within the three-county service area. The $1 million Southwick House grant, for example, addressed the critical need for transitional housing for women and families. The CrossWinds grant specifically targeted suicide prevention, overdose deaths, and inadequate care for veterans, seniors, and non-English-speaking residents. Use local data and community input to document the problem you're addressing.

Show Broad Social Benefit The trust explicitly requires that capital projects "offer a broad social benefit." Recent awards suggest the trust favors projects with regional impact rather than narrow constituencies. The $2 million Flint Hills Technical College grant supports workforce development across multiple industries. The Mobilizing Literacy program serves preschool through third-grade students across the counties. Demonstrate how many people or what percentage of the community will benefit.

Align with Trust's Historical Mission While the trust has evolved beyond its original polio research focus, successful grants often connect to the founders' core values of education and health. The $5 million Emporia State University nursing building grant, the trust's largest gift to the university, directly supports both healthcare workforce development and student wellness - themes central to the trust's heritage.

Build on Demonstrated Track Record Organizations like Emporia State University ($10.9 million in cumulative support) and CrossWinds (multiple grants including a major 5-year commitment) have established track records with the trust. If you're a first-time applicant, demonstrate your organization's stability, effectiveness, and community standing. Include evidence of successful programs and sound financial management.

Think Transformationally for Capital Projects Recent capital grants average well over $1 million and support truly transformational facilities: a 40,000 square-foot mental health campus, advanced industry education centers, nursing education buildings. If requesting capital support, think boldly about lasting community impact rather than incremental improvements.

Leverage Matching Opportunities Several successful grants were part of larger capital campaigns where the Jones Trust gift served as a lead or matching gift. The Flint Hills Technical College's $2 million gift launched their $17 million "Advancing Tomorrow" campaign. The Southwick House grant provided one-third of their $3.6 million goal. Position your request within a broader fundraising strategy that demonstrates community buy-in.

Address Gaps in Service Infrastructure The trust responds to applications that identify and address service gaps. CrossWinds received funding specifically to expand capacity in underserved areas - veterans, seniors, non-English speakers, and children's mental health. Show how your project fills a documented gap in the regional service infrastructure.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is absolute - Only organizations serving Lyon, Coffey, and Osage counties in Kansas are eligible; confirm your service area aligns before investing time in an application

• The trust makes both modest and transformational grants - With a median grant of $48,000 but recent awards ranging to $5 million, tailor your request appropriately to project scope and community impact

• Capital projects receive significant attention and funding - Recent years show major capital investments; if you have a compelling facility need with broad community benefit, this trust is an excellent prospect

• Multi-year commitments are possible - The 5-year, $2.4 million CrossWinds grant demonstrates the trust's willingness to make sustained investments in initiatives with long-term community impact

• Quarterly deadlines provide multiple opportunities - With four annual deadlines, you can time your application strategically based on project readiness and organizational capacity

• Previous relationships matter but aren't required - While some organizations receive multiple grants, the trust also funds new initiatives and organizations; focus on demonstrating need, capacity, and impact regardless of prior funding history

• Think regionally, not just locally - Successful projects often benefit multiple counties or address region-wide issues; frame your work in terms of collective impact across the three-county area

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Walter S & Evan C Jones Trust Bank IV Kansas NA Ttee (EIN 48-0674648). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/480674648 (Accessed February 8, 2026)

2. Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions - Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust. https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/foundation/?fnId=166 (Accessed February 8, 2026)

3. Instrumentl - Ws & Ec Jones Testamentary Trust 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/w-s-and-e-c-jones-testamentary-trust (Accessed February 8, 2026)

4. GrantExec - Ws & Ec Jones Testamentary Trust Foundation Profile. https://grantexec.com/foundations/480674648 (Accessed February 8, 2026)

5. FundsforNGOs - Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust Grant Program (Kansas). https://us.fundsforngos.org/type-of-grant/grant/walter-s-evan-c-jones-testamentary-trust-grant-program-kansas/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)

6. KVOE - "Jones Trust grants Southwick House $1 million for transitional housing facility" (September 10, 2024). https://kvoe.com/2024/09/10/jones-trust-grants-southwick-house-1-million-for-transitional-housing-facility/

7. Emporia Gazette - "Jones Trust gifts $1 million to Emporia's Southwick House" (September 2024). https://www.emporiagazette.com/free/article_4a1add9c-6ee9-11ef-ab44-27c1808e0fc3.html

8. KVOE - "CrossWinds capital campaign gets seven-figure infusion from Jones Testamentary Trust" (June 22, 2022). https://kvoe.com/2022/06/22/crosswinds-capital-campaign-gets-seven-figure-infusion-from-jones-testamentary-trust/

9. Emporia State University - "May 2023 — Jones Trust Gift." https://www.emporia.edu/news/may-2023-jones-trust-gift/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)

10. Emporia State University - "Jones brothers' legacy has lasting effect on university and students." https://www.emporia.edu/news/jones-brothers-legacy-has-lasting-effect-on-university-and-students/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)

11. Grantmakers.io - Walter S & Evan C Jones Trust Bank IV Kansas NA Ttee Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/480674648-walter-s-and-evan-c-jones-trust-bank-iv-kansas-na-ttee/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)

12. CauseIQ - W.S. & E.C. Jones Testamentary Trust Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ws-ec-jones-testamentary-trust,480674648/ (Accessed February 8, 2026)