Emma Eccles Jones Foundation
The Emma Eccles Jones Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1972 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The foundation was created to honor the legacy of Emma Eccles Jones (1898-1991), a pioneering educator who was Northern Utah's first kindergarten teacher. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a private grantmaking institution with a focus on philanthropic activities across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$160.2M
+11.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.0M
-9.3% YoY
Grant Count
35
-10.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$143K
+1.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Emma Eccles Jones Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary giving focuses on education, with secondary emphasis on human services and arts and culture. Specific priority areas include:
- Fine arts education
- Music education, including choir schools
- Cultural institutions serving youth
- Educational initiatives and institutions
- Youth development and education programs
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. All grants are made through trustee discretion and established relationships, operating on an invitation-only basis.
Grant Range
$2,000 to $2.2 million
Average Grant
amount: approximately $141,051
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports initiatives in Utah, with particular focus on:
- Salt Lake City
- Provo
- Ogden
The foundation also supports activities in Georgia and Kansas, though Utah remains the primary geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $160,153,810
- Total Giving: $4,989,994 to $5,399,819
- Total Revenue: $8,904,256
- Total Expenses: $8,080,317
- Investment Income and Dividends: $1,155,544
- Giving Rate: 2.7%-3.6% of assets
Historical Context: Over its 50-year history, the foundation has contributed more than $45 million to Utah State University alone, establishing itself as one of Utah's most significant educational philanthropies.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $160,153,810 | $143,762,886 | $107,937,464 |
| Revenue | $8,904,256 | $9,698,340 | $15,595,872 |
| Expenses | $8,080,317 | $8,615,208 | $7,147,620 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,399,819 | $5,856,615 | $5,622,556 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,652,368 | $6,784,531 | $9,771,210 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,017,597 | $5,415,253 | $5,821,970 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
148 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Utah Development Office ($2,200,000), Ballet West ($575,000), University of Utah College of Education ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ATLANTA, GA | EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH & UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH PROJECT | $75,000 |
| AMERICAN WEST HERITAGE CENTER WELLSVILLE, UT | EDUCATION PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BALLET WEST SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50K SPONSORSHIP; $25K SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE GRANT; RAISING THE BARRE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $575,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER SALT LAKE MURRAY, UT | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS | $30,000 |
| CACHE VALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS LOGAN, UT | 2024-2025 CACHEARTS PRESENTS SERIES OF NATIONALLY TOURING ARTISTS | $15,000 |
| ECCLES COMMUNITY ART CENTER OGDEN, UT | ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS | $5,000 |
| GEORGE S ECCLES ICE CENTER LOGAN, UT | SKATING SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| GUADALUPE CENTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INC SALT LAKE CITY, UT | AFTERSCHOOL/SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS | $25,000 |
| INTERMOUNTAIN THERAPY ANIMALS SALT LAKE CITY, UT | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF UTAH SALT LAKE CITY, UT | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $40,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Spencer Eccles – Chairman and Trustee
- Robert Hatch – Secretary and Trustee
- Katherine Eccles – Assistant Secretary
- Ellen Rossi – Advisory Committee Member
- Frederick Lawson – Advisory Committee Member
- James Jardine – Advisory Committee Member
- Hannah Eldredge – Contact Person
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPENCER ECCLES | CHAIRMAN & TRUSTEE | 3 | $26,000 |
| ROBERT HATCH | SECRETARY & TRUSTEE | 3 | $26,000 |
| KATHERINE ECCLES | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 1 | $6,000 |
| ELLEN ROSSI | ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER | 1 | $6,000 |
| FREDERICK LAWSON | ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER | 1 | $6,000 |
| JAMES JARDINE | ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER | 1 | $3,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 79 South Main Street, 13th Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1929
Phone: (801) 532-0934
EIN: 87-6155073
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Emma Eccles Jones Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary giving focuses on **education**, with secondary emphasis on **human services** and **arts and culture**. Specific priority areas include: • Fine arts education • Music education, including choir schools • Cultural institutions serving youth • Educational initiatives and institutions • Youth development and education programs
How do I apply for a grant from Emma Eccles Jones Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving ranges from approximately $4.4 million to $5.5 million • Makes 32-39 grants annually • Grant range: $2,000 to $2.2 million • Average grant amount: approximately $141,051 • Median grant amount: $25,000-$30,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. All grants are made through trustee discretion and established relationships, operating on an invitation-only basis. **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Ballet West: $575,0…
Where does Emma Eccles Jones Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports initiatives in **Utah**, with particular focus on: • Salt Lake City • Provo • Ogden The foundation also supports activities in Georgia and Kansas, though Utah remains the primary geographic focus.
What size grants does Emma Eccles Jones Foundation award?
In 2024, Emma Eccles Jones Foundation awarded 35 grants totaling $5.0M — an average of about $143K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Emma Eccles Jones Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Emma Eccles Jones Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Emma Eccles Jones Foundation's EIN?
Emma Eccles Jones Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-6155073. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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