The J K Lowder Family Foundation
The J K Lowder Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Montgomery, Alabama. Its 2024 grants supported organizations and groups including performing arts, education, community services, and cultural organizations.
Key facts about The J K Lowder Family Foundation
In short: The J K Lowder Family Foundation gave $1.4M across 47 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Alabama. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 63-1139499
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,361,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 47
- Average grant
- $28,968
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 47, 2025)
- Total assets
- $18,884,985
- Primary geography
- Alabama (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.9M
+6.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+42.0% YoY
Grant Count
47
-9.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+57.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The J K Lowder Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $859K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The J K Lowder Family Foundation open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 47 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $29K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 98% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 91% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 169% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not state a formal mission in the available information. Its director’s message emphasizes community, art, culture, history, preservation, and progress.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. River Region United Way says it works to improve quality of life by bringing together volunteers, contributors, and community organizations. Montessori School at Hampstead describes its work as providing a nurturing learning and social environment based on Maria Montessori’s philosophy. Cloverdale Playhouse says it brings volunteers together to perform, educates children about theatre, and provides low-cost cultural and artistic entertainment. Family Sunshine Center describes services for victims of family violence or sexual assault, including shelter, counseling, and outreach.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 52 grants totaling $958,800. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $300,000, with a median grant of $5,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama, 6% to recipients in Georgia, and 1% to recipients in Missouri. The filing also lists recipients in Washington, D.C., and Texas, each representing 0% of grant dollars.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 47 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $619K (2023) to $1.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 47 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Endowmentcapital) ($650K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
274 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 252 grants of 274 (92%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Endowmentcapital) Montgomery, AL | Support for Performing Arts | $650,000 |
| Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Board Compaign) Montgomery, AL | Support for Performing Arts | $125,000 |
| Auburn College of Business Auburn, AL | Funding for General Program Expenditures | $75,000 |
| Auburn University Tigers Unlimited Auburn, AL | Funding for General Program Expenditures | $75,000 |
| Montessori School at Hampstead Montgomery, AL | Funding for General Program Expenditures | $50,000 |
| River Region United Way Montgomery, AL | Community Support | $50,000 |
| Alabama Shakespeare Festival - Gala Montgomery, AL | Support for Performing Arts | $35,000 |
| Mission to North America Lawrenceville, GA | Community Support | $35,000 |
| Frazier Memorial UMC Montgomery, AL | Funding for General Program Expenditures | $25,000 |
| Valiant Cross Academy Montgomery, AL | Funding for General Program Expenditures | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $17,708,152 | $653,769 | $1,169,715 | $958,800 |
| 2023 | $17,145,514 | $647,390 | $842,411 | $618,752 |
| 2022 | $15,690,158 | $57,695 | $931,617 | $712,041 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,884,985 | $17,708,152 | $17,145,514 |
| Revenue | $3,300,697 | $653,769 | $647,390 |
| Expenses | $1,613,993 | $1,169,715 | $842,411 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,452,533 | $1,034,552 | $694,297 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,080,374 | $430,924 | $427,550 |
| Distributable Amount | $859,491 | $869,167 | $800,304 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James K. Lowder as president, Margaret B. Lowder as vice president, Emily L. Wootten as executive director, and Joshua K. Lowder and Anna C. Lowder as directors. The foundation’s director message is signed by Emily Lowder Wootten.
The J K Lowder Family Foundation is led by Emily L. Wootten, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Emily L. Wootten
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$39K (2021) → $60K (2025)
James K. Lowder
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anna C. Lowder
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joshua K. Lowder
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Margaret B. Lowder
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $60K, to Emily L Wootten (Executive Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 5251 Hampstead High Street 205, Montgomery, AL 36116
Phone: (334) 270-6520
Website: https://www.jklowderfamilyfoundation.com
Frequently asked questions about The J K Lowder Family Foundation
How much does The J K Lowder Family Foundation give each year?
The J K Lowder Family Foundation gave $1.4M across 47 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $959K across 52 grants.
What is The J K Lowder Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The J K Lowder Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $28,968, across 47 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The J K Lowder Family Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does The J K Lowder Family Foundation give grants?
The J K Lowder Family Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Montgomery, AL (38 grants) and Auburn, AL (2 grants).
Does The J K Lowder Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 62% of The J K Lowder Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (29 of 47) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Community Support" (11 grants) and "Support for Performing Arts" (3 grants).
Who are The J K Lowder Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The J K Lowder Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Endowmentcapital) ($650,000), Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Board Compaign) ($125,000) and Auburn College of Business ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The J K Lowder Family Foundation?
The J K Lowder Family Foundation reported $18.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $859K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The J K Lowder Family Foundation fund?
The foundation does not state a formal mission in the available information. Its director’s message emphasizes community, art, culture, history, preservation, and progress. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The J K Lowder Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The J K Lowder Family Foundation's EIN?
The J K Lowder Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1139499. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The J K Lowder Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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