J L Bedsole Foundation
The J L Bedsole Foundation is a private foundation based in Mobile, Alabama. It supports organizations and projects intended to improve quality of life and strengthen communities in Southwest Alabama, with giving that includes education, health and human services, arts and culture, and economic and community development.
J L Bedsole Foundation at a glance
In short: J L Bedsole Foundation gave $3.3M across 167 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,280,727
- -13.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 167
- -1.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,645
- -12.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $55,017,491
- +37.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Alabama (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to J L Bedsole Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Mr Chris Lee Executive Director
Mailing address: Post Office Box 1137, Mobile, AL 36633
Phone: (251) 432-3369
Website: https://jlbedsolefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from J L Bedsole Foundation
Who J L Bedsole Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bayside Academy ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 99 grants to individuals ($521,465), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
808 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 747 grants of 808 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated grantmaking focus is five counties in Southwest Alabama: Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washington. Its 2024 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 167 itemized grants.
Cities
How J L Bedsole Foundation gives
- Giving grew 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2020) to $3.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 167 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bayside Academy Daphne, AL | Capital Project | $500,000 |
| University of South Alabama Mobile, AL | Grant - Capital Campaign Whiddon College of Med | $500,000 |
| St Paul's Episcopal School Mobile, AL | Capital Project | $250,000 |
| Mobile Area Education Foundation Mobile, AL | Program Support | $150,000 |
| Covenant Academy of Mobile Mobile, AL | Special Projects | $104,000 |
| Coastal Alabama Partnership Mobile, AL | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Innovation Portal Mobile, AL | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Dumas Wesley Community Center Mobile, AL | Capital Repairs | $82,305 |
| Exploreum Science Center Mobile, AL | Operating Expenses | $75,000 |
| Bayshore Christian School Fairhope, AL | For Future Generations Phase 3 | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $55,017,491 | $19,107,746 | $4,382,381 | $3,280,727 | 167 | $3,739,122 | $18,508,330 | $3,441,939 |
| 2023 | $39,996,967 | $7,766,528 | $4,799,350 | $3,776,490 | 169 | $4,224,960 | $7,268,110 | $3,095,362 |
| 2022 | $36,981,163 | $2,931,175 | $3,616,024 | $2,739,024 | 139 | $3,163,584 | $2,492,637 | $3,116,330 |
| 2021 | $37,915,201 | $4,678,081 | $3,458,528 | $2,470,195 | 165 | $2,906,477 | $4,132,832 | $3,478,517 |
| 2020 | $36,587,559 | $3,125,640 | $3,139,260 | $2,286,568 | 168 | — | $2,632,992 | $3,216,195 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, J L Bedsole Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to ensure the continuing health, welfare and prosperity of Southwest Alabama residents by providing greater post-secondary educational opportunities for youth and supporting civic, cultural, artistic and economic development opportunities.
Its website describes grant uses including support for hospitals, schools, universities, colleges, research institutions, welfare agencies and health institutions. Grant guidelines identify education, arts and culture, health and human services, and economic and community development as areas of interest. The foundation also prioritizes projects with enduring community benefits, collaboration, sound fiscal management, multiple sources of support, and service to underserved, economically disadvantaged or rural populations.
Its 2024 grants included capital projects, program support, special projects, operating expenses and capital repairs. Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported: Bayside Academy says it educates and develops students; Mobile Area Education Foundation says it works with citizens and public officials to improve education in Mobile County; and Innovation Portal describes itself as a nonprofit incubator and innovation hub supporting local ventures and economic development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 167 grants totaling $3,280,727. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $500,000, with a median of $6,000. Its largest grants included $500,000 to Bayside Academy for a capital project, $500,000 to the University of South Alabama for a capital campaign, and $250,000 to St. Paul’s Episcopal School for a capital project. Other significant awards included $150,000 to Mobile Area Education Foundation for program support, $104,000 to Covenant Academy of Mobile for special projects, and $100,000 each to Coastal Alabama Partnership and Innovation Portal for program support.
The foundation’s website says applications should be submitted through its online application portal, with submission dates set by the due dates published in the application. The distribution committee meets in February, April, June, September and December. The 2024 filing describes a written request specifying the organization’s name, exempt classification or charitable designation, and details of the request; it lists no deadlines. The website states that grants are not made to individuals, endowments are not ordinarily funded, and serial pledges or grants are not ordinarily made. The foundation does not fund organizations, programs or projects outside Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washington Counties in Southwest Alabama.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Regions Bank as trustee. It lists Travis M. Bedsole Jr. as a member of the Distribution Committee and trustee; T. Bestor Ward III as chair of the Distribution Committee and trustee; and Winthrop M. Hallett III and T. Bestor Ward IV as members of the Distribution Committee. The filing identifies Chris Lee as executive director for application inquiries.
J L Bedsole Foundation is led by T. Bestor Ward III, Chair Dist Committee & Trustee on every filing since 2020; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
T. Bestor Ward III
Chair Dist Committee & Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$46K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Regions Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $49K (2024)
Travis M. Bedsole Jr.
Member Dist Committee & Trustee
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$36K (2020) → $75K (2024)
T. Bestor Ward IV
Member Dist Committee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$4K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Winthrop M. Hallett III
Member Dist Committee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $17K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: John White-Spunner (2020–2023) — Member Dist Committee
- Former: John M. Turner Jr. (2020) — Member Dist Committee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $85K, to T Bestor Ward III (CHR Dist Comm & Trustee). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about J L Bedsole Foundation
How much does J L Bedsole Foundation give each year?
J L Bedsole Foundation gave $3.3M across 167 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 169 grants.
What is J L Bedsole Foundation's typical grant size?
J L Bedsole Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $6,000, and its average grant was $19,645, across 167 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does J L Bedsole Foundation give grants?
J L Bedsole Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Mobile, AL (42 grants), Fairhope, AL (5 grants) and Foley, AL (3 grants).
Does J L Bedsole Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of J L Bedsole Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 167) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship - Auburn Universtiy" (33 grants), "Scholarship - University of Alabama" (23 grants) and "Scholarship - University of Mobile" (12 grants).
Who are J L Bedsole Foundation's largest grantees?
J L Bedsole Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Bayside Academy ($500,000), University of South Alabama ($500,000) and St Paul's Episcopal School ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 99 grants to individuals ($521,465), which are not listed by name. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is J L Bedsole Foundation?
J L Bedsole Foundation reported $55.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does J L Bedsole Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to ensure the continuing health, welfare and prosperity of Southwest Alabama residents by providing greater post-secondary educational opportunities for youth and supporting civic, cultural, artistic and economic development opportunities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from J L Bedsole Foundation?
J L Bedsole Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check jlbedsolefoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is J L Bedsole Foundation's EIN?
J L Bedsole Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7225708. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). J L Bedsole Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/j-l-bedsole-foundation-morg_b8a0861015114f5bbb64d25a21321312
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237225708_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{J L Bedsole Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/j-l-bedsole-foundation-morg_b8a0861015114f5bbb64d25a21321312},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from J L Bedsole Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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