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J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$51.7M
Grant Range
$50K - $10.0M

J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $51.7 million (2023); $30.2 million (2024)
  • Total Given: Over $800 million across Idaho since inception
  • Assets: $556.8 million
  • Decision Time: N/A (invitation-only grantmaking)
  • Grant Range: Varies by initiative (from $50,000 to multi-million dollar grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Idaho only
  • Application Method: Invitation only through strategic initiatives

Contact Details

Website: https://www.jkaf.org/

Phone: Not publicly listed

Email: Contact form available on website

Note: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. They do not provide contact information for grant inquiries as all funding is through invitation-only strategic initiatives.

Overview

Established in 1966 by Joe and Kathryn Albertson (founder of the Albertsons grocery store chain), the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation is one of Idaho's largest private foundations with assets exceeding $556 million. The foundation has distributed over $800 million across Idaho throughout its history. The foundation underwent a strategic shift to focus exclusively on three priorities: innovative learning, accessible world-class recreation, and making Idaho the most desirable state for life after the military. The foundation operates through proactive, initiative-based grantmaking rather than accepting public applications, partnering with select organizations to achieve systemic change. In 2023, the foundation awarded $51.7 million in grants, and in 2024, awarded $30.2 million to support transformative leaders across Idaho.

Funding Priorities

Strategic Focus Areas

The foundation concentrates all investments in three interconnected areas:

1. Limitless Learning / Innovative Learning

  • Charter school expansion through partnership with Bluum (invested over $100 million in charter school capacity)
  • Education reform initiatives including the Creating High Performance Schools Initiative
  • Open Book Initiative (pre-K through 8th grade reading improvement)
  • Career readiness programs
  • Learning choices and innovation
  • Education leadership development
  • Support for organizations like Teach for America, Idaho Education News, and the Idaho PTECH Network

2. Stronger Communities / Accessible World-Class Recreation

  • Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse (multi-million dollar community center along Boise River Greenbelt)
  • Adaptive recreation facilities and programs
  • Project Inclusive adaptive mountain bike trail systems
  • Community development initiatives
  • Skate parks built with universal accessibility
  • Boise Water Park improvements
  • Recreation infrastructure serving all Idahoans

3. Innovative Leaders / Life After the Military

  • Mission43 (launched and fully funded by the foundation in 2016, serving over 10,000 veterans and military spouses statewide)
  • Leaders Fellowship Program
  • Career advancement for veterans and military spouses
  • Challenged Athletes Foundation for adaptive athletes
  • Headstrong Project for veteran mental health
  • Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse serving veterans and military families

What They Fund

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations operating in Idaho
  • Government entities in Idaho
  • Organizations meeting IRS expenditure responsibility requirements
  • Strategic, multi-year initiatives aligned with their three focus areas
  • Organizations demonstrating innovation and potential for systemic impact
  • Charter schools and education reform efforts
  • Veterans service organizations
  • Recreation and community infrastructure projects

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list exclusions, but based on their strategic approach:

  • Organizations outside Idaho
  • Unsolicited grant requests (all grants made through strategic initiatives)
  • Projects outside their three focus areas (learning, recreation, veterans)
  • Individual scholarships (though they fund scholarship programs through partner organizations)
  • Operating budgets for organizations not part of strategic initiatives
  • One-time events or fundraising galas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

J.B. "Joe" Scott - Chairman of the Foundation Board and Alscott, Inc. (has served for more than 20 years)

Jamie Jo Scott - President; served as the Foundation's community grants coordinator and as a member and treasurer on the board for more than 10 years before serving as Executive Director from 2008-2014

Brian [Scott] - Vice President and Board member of the Foundation, President of Alscott, Inc.

Executive Leadership

Roger Quarles - Executive Director; has overseen almost $250 million in philanthropic giving over seven years at JKAF; previously served as an Idaho teacher, principal, superintendent, and chief deputy state superintendent

Leadership Philosophy

Jamie Jo Scott has articulated a clear vision for the foundation's approach to impact:

"Leadership looks like taking a complex problem and just starting to chip away at it. If you want to be liked, sell ice cream."

On education in Idaho: "It's about leadership. Without vision, without accountability, it doesn't do a damn thing."

Scott has acknowledged the foundation's influential position: "Often wealthy people are criticized for wielding too much influence," noting there's truth to that critique, but emphasizing they try to stay in an appropriate lane. She also noted that adding more voices beyond a small decision-making group can build better solutions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states: "The Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. The Foundation's practice is to provide grant opportunities through initiative work, designed to target specific program areas."

All grants are made through one of three methods:

  1. Strategic Initiatives: The foundation designs multi-year initiatives targeting specific outcomes in their focus areas and identifies potential partners
  2. Request for Proposals (RFP): The foundation occasionally issues invitation-only RFPs to selected organizations
  3. Proactive Identification: Foundation leadership identifies organizations aligned with their strategic goals and invites them to apply

Grant applications require a one to three-page letter of inquiry for organizations that have been invited to apply. Major grants are made through RFP or invitation to apply.

Getting on Their Radar

ONLY include this section if you have SPECIFIC, FUNDER-UNIQUE information:

Based on the foundation's operational approach, organizations seeking funding should:

  • Monitor the foundation's strategic initiatives: The foundation announces major initiatives on their website at jkaf.org. Recent examples include the "20 in 10" charter school expansion initiative (creating 20,000 new charter school seats in 10 years) and the launch of Mission43 for veterans.

  • Build sector credibility in Idaho: The foundation partners with organizations demonstrating proven track records, established expertise, and significant impact potential. Roger Quarles's background in Idaho education suggests strong connections to the state's education community.

  • Partner with existing grantees: Many of the foundation's grants support collaborative efforts. Organizations working alongside current partners like Bluum, Mission43, or Challenged Athletes Foundation may have better visibility.

  • Demonstrate innovation and systems-level thinking: Jamie Jo Scott's emphasis on "taking a complex problem and just starting to chip away at it" suggests the foundation values strategic, innovative approaches to systemic challenges rather than small-scale, one-off projects.

  • Participate in Idaho's civic and educational leadership circles: Roger Quarles's extensive background in Idaho education leadership and his role in organizations like the Boise Metro Chamber suggest the foundation is deeply embedded in Idaho's leadership networks.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made on the foundation's strategic timeline rather than in response to applications.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. In 2023, the foundation made 48 grants totaling $51.7 million, indicating they make selective, high-value grants to strategic partners.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply directly. All funding relationships are initiated by the foundation.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept applications, organizations seeking partnership should understand what the foundation values:

Strategic Alignment is Essential

The foundation invests exclusively in three areas: innovative learning, world-class recreation, and life after the military. Projects outside these areas will not be funded regardless of merit.

Scale and Systems Change Matter

The foundation's investments demonstrate a preference for initiatives creating systemic change rather than incremental improvements. Their $100+ million investment in charter school expansion through Bluum exemplifies this approach - they sought to fundamentally expand education choices across Idaho, not just support individual schools.

Idaho Focus is Non-Negotiable

Roger Quarles stated the foundation's commitment to making Idaho a model for other states. Every grant supports Idaho-based organizations serving Idaho communities. National organizations may receive funding only if they're delivering Idaho-specific programs.

Innovation and Proven Models

The foundation seeks organizations demonstrating both innovation and evidence of effectiveness. For charter schools, they partnered with Bluum to recruit "high-performing school models committed to expanding in Idaho, including charter schools with proven academic and operational excellence, established wait lists, and demonstrated performance."

Multi-Year Strategic Partnerships

The foundation's approach emphasizes sustained engagement rather than one-time grants. Mission43 was "launched in 2016" and is "fully funded" by the foundation, indicating long-term, comprehensive support for strategic priorities.

Leadership Matters

Jamie Jo Scott's emphasis on "leadership" and "accountability" suggests the foundation evaluates organizational leadership carefully. Roger Quarles's appointment - bringing deep Idaho education experience - reinforces that they value leaders with credibility, expertise, and track records in their focus areas.

Measurable Impact Potential

The foundation tracks outcomes rigorously. The "20 in 10" initiative had clear metrics (20,000 new charter school seats in 10 years), and reporting indicates they achieved nearly 20,000 seats and 38 new schools across Idaho, demonstrating they expect and monitor concrete results.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • You cannot apply directly to this foundation - they identify and invite potential partners through strategic initiatives. Monitor their website for announcements of new initiatives that might create partnership opportunities.

  • Think big and systemic - the foundation makes substantial investments ($100M+ in charter schools, full funding of Mission43) in initiatives designed to transform systems, not fund isolated projects. If your work isn't aiming for statewide or sector-wide impact in Idaho, this isn't the right funder.

  • Idaho credentials are critical - both in terms of your organization's track record in the state and your leadership team's connections to Idaho's civic, education, or military communities. Roger Quarles and Jamie Jo Scott have deep Idaho roots and networks.

  • Innovation must be backed by evidence - the foundation seeks "high-performing school models with proven academic and operational excellence" and partners like Teach for America with national track records. Innovation alone isn't enough; you need demonstrated results.

  • Focus on the three priorities exclusively - limitless learning, stronger communities through recreation, and life after the military. Projects touching multiple priorities may be particularly attractive (e.g., the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse serves both recreation and veterans priorities).

  • Explore alternative funders for unsolicited proposals - the foundation's FAQs explicitly recommend that grant seekers "explore online resources such as Guidestar to research other funders and their policies for unsolicited requests."

  • Long-term commitment expected - if selected as a partner, expect multi-year engagement with accountability for results. The foundation's investments span years or decades, not single grant cycles.

References

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