Jams Foundation logo

Jams Foundation

IRVINE, CA EIN: 91-2147141 Website

ACR-Initiative-for-Students--Youth-announce-the-2021-grant-recipients.htm type: exa:news title: JAMS Foundation - ACR Initiative for Students & Youth announce the 2021 grant recipients type: exa:news title: JAMS Foundation Awards Grant to New York Peace Institute type: exa:news title: JAMS Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary | JAMS | Mediation, Arbitration and ADR Services type: exa:news title: "JAMS Foundation Youth Grants for 2022 \u2013 Conflict Resolution Education\ \ Connection"

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.3M

-7.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$899K

+14.2% YoY

Grant Count

29

+7.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$31K

+6.3% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The JAMS Foundation's mission is to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), support education at all levels about collaborative processes for resolving differences, promote innovation in conflict resolution, and advance the settlement of conflict worldwide.

Primary funding areas include:

  • Community Mediation: Support for community mediation centers nationwide, including two-year mini-grants to help frontline peace advocates develop programs their communities need
  • Major Dispute Resolution Initiatives: Innovative, community-centered approaches to preventing and resolving conflict, including mediation and de-escalation training for law enforcement, community engagement programs with law enforcement, and mediation of citizen complaints against law enforcement
  • Student and Youth Initiatives: Programs focused on youth conflict resolution and peace education
  • International Dispute Resolution: Fellowships and grants for individuals to study dispute resolution processes and practices in the United States to advance conflict resolution in their home countries
  • Education: Support for education at all levels about collaborative conflict resolution processes
  • Program Funding, Fellowships, and Emergency Funds

Grantmaking

Grant Range

s and Range**: Typical awards range from $2,000 to $227,398. The average grant amount is approximately $110, with a median grant size also reported.

Average Grant

amount is approximately $110, with a median grant size also reported.

How to Apply

**: The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. Grant opportunities are typically announced through specific initiatives and partnerships.

Ready to take the next step with Jams Foundation?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds initiatives across the United States, with particular focus on major urban centers including:

  • New York
  • Los Angeles
  • Chicago
  • Detroit
  • Oakland
  • Boston

The foundation also supports international initiatives, particularly through its fellowship program for advanced dispute resolution in countries outside the United States. Geographic funding distribution includes California, Kentucky, New York, and other states across the nation.

Grant Distribution by State

17states
+9 more states

Cities

BerkeleyBostonCedar RapidsChicagoColumbiaColumbusDetroitEagleGlenviewHoustonIrvineKalispellKennesawLos AngelesLouisvilleMalibuMt RainierNew YorkPhiladelphiaSacramento

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 2023:

  • Total Assets: $1,452,329
  • Total Revenue: $1,271,506
  • Total Expenses: $1,170,057
  • Total Liabilities: $0

Historical Context:

  • The foundation is 100% self-funded
  • Assets have grown 2.6% from the previous year
  • The foundation has distributed approximately $14 million in grants over 23 years

Staffing: The foundation operates with 1 employee.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$406K$813K$1M$2M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$1,346,539$1,452,329$1,322,244
Revenue$1,349,480$1,271,506$1,318,537
Expenses$1,477,468$1,170,057$969,194
Qualifying Distributions$1,365,351$1,100,677$948,391
Net Investment Income$3,549
Distributable Amount$69,198$70,076$56,769

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$225K$449K$674K$899K11 grants202014 grants202124 grants202227 grants202329 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

WEINSTEIN FELLOWSHIP PRO…$208KPEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY$75KRAY COROLLARY INITIATIVE$63KCOMMUNITY BOARD PROGRAM$60KNATIONAL ASSOC FOR COMMU…$60KOHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FO…$50KNATIONAL ASSOC FOR COMMU…$40KCOMMUNITY BOARDS$40KCONVERGENCE CENTER FOR P…$40KNATIONAL ASSOC FOR COMMU…$38K

Grant Size Distribution

105 grants across all recorded years

89<$50K7$50–100K9$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

2 open opportunities from Jams Foundation

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

David Brandon: Managing Director (receives salary compensation)

The foundation's board is composed of several members, most of whom serve voluntarily without compensation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

DAVID BRANDONMANAGING DIRECTOR & BOARD ME…$90K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
KIM TAYLORBOARD PRESIDENT & MEMBER0.4
NATE BROOKSTREASURER0.4
LARRY MILLSBOARD SECRETARY & MEMBER0.4
DAVID BRANDONMANAGING DIRECTOR & BOARD MEMBER20$89,951
MICHAEL LEWISBOARD CHAIR & MEMBER0.4
GARY BIRNBERGBOARD MEMBER0.4
MONICA BOWENBOARD MEMBER0.4
LISBETH BULMASHBOARD MEMBER0.4
BRUCE FRIEDMANBOARD MEMBER0.4
TERRY FRIEDMANBOARD MEMBER0.4
DEIRDRE MCCARTHY GALLAGHERBOARD MEMBER0.4
ROBIN GISEBOARD MEMBER0.4
ANN KOUGHBOARD MEMBER0.4
LINDA MILLERBOARD MEMBER0.4
GAIL TUSANBOARD MEMBER0.4

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2022

The JAMS Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022

The foundation has funded law enforcement training programs in major metropolitan areas, including mediation and de-escalation training for the New York Police Department and Los Angeles Police Department

Community engagement programs with law enforcement have been established in Detroit and Los Angeles

Mediation of citizen complaints against law enforcement has been supported in Chicago and Oakland

The foundation continues to support the Youth Peace Project and Youth Conflict Specialists Program

Active grant opportunities include the JAMS Foundation-ACR Initiative for Students and Youth and the JAMS Foundation/NAFCM Mini-Grant Program

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with Jams Foundation on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities