← Back to US Funders Directory

The Jesus Fund

Annual Giving
$34.0M

The Jesus Fund

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $34 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Information not publicly available
  • Geographic Focus: National (through National Christian Foundation)
  • Total Assets: $557 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 1901 Napa Valley Dr, Little Rock, AR 72212-3913
Phone: (501) 372-6524
Website: No public website
EIN: 86-1108441

Overview

The Jesus Fund is a private independent foundation established in 2004 in Little Rock, Arkansas. With total assets of $557 million and annual charitable disbursements of $34 million as of 2024, the foundation has experienced significant growth from its initial asset base of $37.2 million in 2011. Founded by Ronald M. Cameron, owner and chairman of Mountaire Farms (one of the nation's largest chicken suppliers), the foundation operates as a supporting organization to the National Christian Foundation in Alpharetta, Georgia. The fund's mission is to support individuals and organizations who lift up Jesus in word and deed, including teaching his principles and furthering his gospel. The foundation consistently allocates approximately 80-90% of expenses toward charitable disbursements annually, demonstrating substantial philanthropic commitment. Revenue is generated primarily through investment activities, including sales of assets (78.5%), dividends (16.5%), and interest income (9.4%).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Jesus Fund operates through the National Christian Foundation rather than maintaining its own grant application process. Specific grant amounts and programs are not publicly disclosed. Based on the foundation's stated purpose and structure as a supporting organization, grants are channeled through NCF's infrastructure to support Christian charitable work.

Priority Areas

Based on the foundation's mission statement and supporting organization structure, priority areas include:

  • Christian Ministry and Evangelism: Organizations that further the gospel of Jesus and make disciples
  • Traditional Values: Organizations that esteem traditional, scripture-based values for government
  • Educational Freedom: Support for educational freedom initiatives for children
  • Social Services: Programs that help the sick, feed the poor, and care for the underprivileged
  • Faith-Based Organizations: Those who lift up Jesus in word and deed

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a foundation supporting the National Christian Foundation and focused on Christian ministry, it is reasonable to assume they do not fund:

  • Secular organizations unaligned with Christian values
  • Organizations that contradict traditional scripture-based values
  • Political campaigns (though the founder is personally politically active)

Governance and Leadership

Ronald M. Cameron - Trustee (Uncompensated)
Ronald M. Cameron (born 1945) is the owner and chairman of Mountaire Farms, one of the nation's largest chicken suppliers. The son of Ted Cameron and grandson of Mountaire Corporation founder Guy Cameron, he has built the foundation into a major philanthropic vehicle with over half a billion dollars in assets. Cameron and his wife attend Fellowship Bible, one of Little Rock's largest evangelical churches. He has been described as a major supporter of religious and conservative causes.

Genevieve R. Couch - Trustee (Compensation: $80,939 in 2024)
Ms. Couch serves as a compensated trustee, likely managing day-to-day operations and grant administration for the foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Jesus Fund operates as a supporting organization to the National Christian Foundation in Alpharetta, Georgia. This means the foundation directs its grants through NCF's infrastructure rather than accepting unsolicited applications directly.

Grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on their charitable purposes and relationship with the National Christian Foundation. The foundation's Form 990-PF filings indicate it makes regular charitable disbursements (approximately $34 million annually), but the specific grant recipients and decision-making process are managed privately through the trustee structure.

Organizations seeking support would likely need to:

  • Work through the National Christian Foundation's existing networks and programs
  • Have a pre-existing relationship with the foundation's trustees or affiliated organizations
  • Align closely with the foundation's stated mission of supporting Christian ministry and gospel-centered work

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through scheduled application cycles, timing would depend on trustee meetings and decisions.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's structure as a supporting organization to the National Christian Foundation and its trustee-directed grantmaking:

  • Christian Mission Alignment: Organizations must clearly demonstrate how they "lift up Jesus in word and deed" and further gospel-centered work. This is the core criterion stated in the foundation's mission.

  • Traditional Values Orientation: The foundation supports organizations that "esteem traditional, scripture-based values," suggesting that alignment with conservative Christian theology and practice is essential.

  • Relationship-Based Funding: Without a public application process, grants appear to be relationship-driven. Connection to the National Christian Foundation network or to the foundation's trustees would be significant factors.

  • Established Organizations: The foundation's substantial asset base and annual giving suggest it likely supports established ministries and organizations rather than start-ups, though this is not explicitly stated.

  • Gospel Impact: Organizations should be able to demonstrate clear impact in making disciples, furthering Christian education, or serving vulnerable populations from a faith-based perspective.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: The Jesus Fund does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. It operates as a supporting organization to the National Christian Foundation, with grants made at trustee discretion.

  • Relationship-Driven Funding: Without a public application process, securing funding would require connection to the foundation's trustees, the National Christian Foundation network, or affiliated organizations.

  • Christian Mission Essential: The foundation's purpose is explicitly focused on supporting Christian ministry and gospel work. Organizations must clearly demonstrate alignment with evangelical Christian values and mission.

  • Substantial Resources: With $557 million in assets and $34 million in annual charitable disbursements, this is a major philanthropic vehicle, but access is limited by its private, invitation-only structure.

  • NCF Connection: Understanding how the National Christian Foundation operates and building relationships within that network may be the most viable pathway to potential funding.

  • Traditional Values Focus: The founder's documented support for conservative religious causes and traditional values suggests the foundation prioritizes organizations with similar orientations.

  • Consider Indirect Approaches: Rather than seeking direct funding from The Jesus Fund, organizations aligned with its mission might have better success applying to NCF programs or other funders in the NCF network.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory