Joe And Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $450,000 - $475,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $1,500 - $50,000
• Geographic Focus: South Alabama and Alabama universities

Contact Details

• Website: https://cromeansfoundation.org/
• Mailing Address: PO Box 352, Orange Beach, AL 36561-0352
• Phone: Not publicly listed
• Email: Not publicly listed

Overview

The Joe and Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Trust is a private independent foundation established in 2021 by Gray Cromeans to honor his parents' memory. With assets of approximately $22 million, the foundation distributes $450,000-$475,000 annually through two distinct funding streams: university scholarships for Alabama students studying sciences/healthcare and performing arts, and charitable grants to nonprofits in South Alabama. Founded with an initial endowment of $21.7 million in 2020, the foundation received its 501(c)(3) status in January 2021. The foundation operates with a small, family-controlled distribution committee led by founder Gray Cromeans as trustee and chairman.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• University Scholarships: $2,500 per student - Direct awards to juniors and seniors at 11 Alabama universities studying biomedical sciences, nursing, allied health, art and design, music performance, or theatre and dance. Minimum 3.25 GPA required with demonstrated financial need.
• Institutional Support: $15,000 - $50,000 - Direct grants to educational institutions for scholarship programs
• Community Nonprofit Grants: $1,500 - $50,000 - Support for established 501(c)(3) organizations in South Alabama to strengthen existing programs and needs

Priority Areas

• Healthcare and medical education (nursing, biomedical sciences, allied health)
• Performing and visual arts education (music, theatre, dance, art and design)
• Community service organizations in South Alabama
• Educational access for students with financial need

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available documentation

Governance and Leadership

Trustee and Chairman of Distribution Committee: Joe Gray "Gray" Cromeans Jr. - Founder who relocated to Baldwin County in 2012 from Scottsboro, Alabama. Established the foundation to honor his parents Dr. Joe G. Cromeans (practiced medicine in Scottsboro for 50+ years) and Mary Ann Parks Cromeans (educator and community leader).

Distribution Committee Member: Jennifer M. Blanchard

The foundation operates with a paid distribution committee structure, with Gray Cromeans receiving $165,000 annual compensation and Jennifer Blanchard receiving $40,000.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. University scholarships are administered through partner institutions' financial aid offices, where eligible students apply directly through their university rather than to the foundation. Community nonprofit grants appear to be awarded through direct outreach, existing relationships, or trustee discretion rather than through an open competitive process.

Getting on Their Radar

For universities interested in partnership, contact has been successfully established through institutional development offices. Troy University's partnership was announced through their Office of Development (334-670-3297). Nonprofits in South Alabama seeking support would need to pursue direct outreach to the foundation's leadership at their Orange Beach address, as no public contact information or application portal exists.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented

Application Success Factors

Based on documented grant recipients, successful organizations demonstrate:

• Strong alignment with the foundation's dual focus on healthcare/sciences and performing arts
• Established track record serving South Alabama communities
• For universities: ability to identify and support students with both academic merit (3.25+ GPA) and financial need
• For nonprofits: proven programs that strengthen communities in South Alabama, particularly those serving basic needs (Christian Service Center received $50,000+ for their food pantry and assistance programs)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relationship-driven foundation without a public application process - direct cultivation and introductions are essential
• Focus areas are highly specific: healthcare/medical education and performing arts, primarily benefiting Alabama residents
• University partnerships are the primary vehicle for scholarship distribution - institutions should approach through development offices
• South Alabama nonprofits should emphasize local community impact and established program effectiveness
• The foundation values honoring its namesakes' legacies in medicine and arts/culture
• With only two staff members on the distribution committee, expect personalized but potentially slower decision-making
• Annual giving is consistent at approximately $450,000-$475,000, suggesting stable, predictable funding availability

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Joe and Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Trust. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/851191628. Accessed February 17, 2026.
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Joe and Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Trust. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/joe-and-mary-ann-cromeans-charitable-foundation-trust. Accessed February 17, 2026.
• Cause IQ Profile - Joe and Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Trust. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/joe-and-mary-ann-cromeans-charitable-foundation-tr,851191628/. Accessed February 17, 2026.
• University of Alabama in Huntsville. "The Joe and Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Supports Science and Performing Arts Students at UAH Through Generous Scholarships." https://www.uah.edu/giving/news/17050. Accessed February 17, 2026.
• Troy University. "Joe and Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Scholarship Aids Troy Students." https://today.troy.edu/news/joe-and-mary-ann-cromeans-charitable-foundation-scholarship-aids-troy-students/. Accessed February 17, 2026.
• Coastal Alabama Community College. "Mary Ann Cromeans Charitable Foundation Generously Awards $15,000 to Coastal Alabama Allied Health Scholarships." https://www.coastalalabama.edu/news/news/mary-ann-cromeans-charitable-foundation-generously-awards-15000-coastal-alabama-allied-health-scholarships/. Accessed February 17, 2026.
• Christian Service Center of Gulf Shores. "Cromeans Foundation Contribution." https://www.cscgs.com/chromeans-foundation-contribution/. Accessed February 17, 2026.
• The Shareway Funder Profile. https://www.theshareway.com/funder/joe-mary-84156. Accessed February 17, 2026.