The J L Bedsole Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Mobile, Alabama, established in 1949. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a philanthropic institution focused on improving quality of life and strengthening communities in Southwest Alabama through grants and scholarships.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$55.0M
+37.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
-13.1% YoY
Grant Count
167
-1.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-12.1% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The mission of The J. L. Bedsole Foundation is to ensure the continuing health, welfare and prosperity of the citizens of Southwest Alabama by providing greater post secondary educational opportunities for worthy youth and by supporting expanded civic, cultural, artistic and economic development opportunities for all citizens of the area.
Primary Funding Areas:
The foundation supports projects serving:
- Education, arts and culture
- Health and human services
- Economic development
- Academics and STEM education
- Elementary and secondary education
- Higher education
- Community and economic development
Specific Grant Purposes:
- Aid to hospitals, schools, universities, colleges and research institutions
- Support of welfare agencies, including orphanages and institutions for the care of the aged, crippled, blind, sick or needy
- Health institutions, boys' and girls' health camps, playgrounds, and human beneficent agencies
- Advancement of human knowledge and alleviation of human suffering
Grantmaking
The foundation does not consider funding organizations, programs or projects outside of five counties in Southwest Alabama: Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washington Counties.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus: Five counties in Southwest Alabama (Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washington Counties)
The foundation also supports projects in multiple cities across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, with significant presence in Alabama cities including Birmingham, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $40–$55 million (varying by source)
- Total giving: $3.28–$7.77 million annually
- Annual expenses: $4.8 million
- Annual revenue: $7.77 million
- Total liabilities: $0
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since October 1972 EIN: 23-7225708
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $55,017,491 | $39,996,967 | $36,981,163 |
| Revenue | $19,107,746 | $7,766,528 | $2,931,175 |
| Expenses | $4,382,381 | $4,799,350 | $3,616,024 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,739,122 | $4,224,960 | $3,163,584 |
| Net Investment Income | $18,508,330 | $7,268,110 | $2,492,637 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,441,939 | $3,095,362 | $3,116,330 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from J L Bedsole Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bayside Academy ($500,000), Mobile Area Education Foundation ($150,000), Covenant Academy of Mobile ($104,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION GULFPORT, MS | ENHANCING CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE | $10,000 |
| BALDWIN COUNTY EDUCATION COALITION SUMMERDALE, AL | PALM PROJECT | $7,500 |
| BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL FAIRHOPE, AL | FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS PHASE 3 | $50,000 |
| BAYSIDE ACADEMY DAPHNE, AL | CAPITAL PROJECT | $500,000 |
| BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME FOUNDATION THEODORE, AL | BOEHM GALLERY WINDOW RESTORATION PROJECT | $25,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTH ALABAMA MOBILE, AL | END THE WAIT CAMPAIGN | $25,000 |
| BIG FISH MINISTRIES FOLEY, AL | MEN'S DORM RENOVATION | $10,000 |
| BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF AL BIRMINGHAM, AL | RESEARCH SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY VREDENBURGH, AL | RICE TO THE RESCUE | $9,000 |
| CASA MOBILE INC MOBILE, AL | VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Distribution Committee Members:
- T. Bestor Ward III – Chair of Distribution Committee & Trustee
- Travis M Bedsole Jr. – Member of Distribution Committee & Trustee
- Winthrop M Hallett III – Member of Distribution Committee
- T. Bestor Ward IV – Member of Distribution Committee
- Regions Bank – Trustee
Staff:
- Christopher L Lee – Director
- Patricia Patton – Program Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REGIONS BANK | TRUSTEE | 40 | $49,341 |
| TRAVIS M BEDSOLE JR | MBR DIST COMM & TRUSTEE | 6 | $75,000 |
| T BESTOR WARD III | CHR DIST COMM & TRUSTEE | 10 | $85,000 |
| WINTHROP M HALLETT III | MBR DIST COMM | 3 | $17,000 |
| T BESTOR WARD IV | MBR DIST COMM | 3 | $20,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has awarded grants for significant community projects, including:
Grant for Student Learning Commons at University of Mobile
J.L. Bedsole Foundation awards grant for Student Learning Commons at UniversityGrant for athletic facility at University of Mobile
J.L. Bedsole Foundation awards grant for Student Learning Commons at University$1 million endowed scholarship at University of South Alabama
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does J L Bedsole Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The mission of The J. L. Bedsole Foundation is to ensure the continuing health, welfare and prosperity of the citizens of Southwest Alabama by providing greater post secondary educational opportunities for worthy youth and by supporting expanded civic, cultural, artistic and economic development opportunities for all citizens of the area. **Primary Funding Areas:** The foundation supports projects serving: • Education, arts and culture • Health and human services • Econom…
How do I apply for a grant from J L Bedsole Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grants are made solely to qualifying organizations, not to individuals • The foundation does not ordinarily fund endowments or make serial pledges or grants • Typical award range: $500–$500,000 • Median grant amount: $6,000 • Recent grant activity with 167 grants on record **Geographic Restrictions:** The foundation does not consider funding organizations, programs or projects outside of five counties in Southwest Alabama: Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washing…
Where does J L Bedsole Foundation make grants?
Primary focus: Five counties in Southwest Alabama (Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washington Counties) The foundation also supports projects in multiple cities across Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, with significant presence in Alabama cities including Birmingham, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa.
What size grants does J L Bedsole Foundation award?
In 2024, J L Bedsole Foundation awarded 167 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is J L Bedsole Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, J L Bedsole Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in J L Bedsole Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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