The J K Lowder Family Foundation
The J K Lowder Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 1995 and based in Montgomery, Alabama. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking across multiple focus areas and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.7M
+3.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$959K
+55.0% YoY
Grant Count
52
-3.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+60.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The J K Lowder Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $869K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Arts and culture
- Education (including charter schools, K-12 schools, and parent-teacher organizations)
- Youth and family programs
- Community development and revitalization
- Human services
- Performing arts and theater
- Head Start programs
Grantmaking
The foundation supports general program expenditures, community support, performing arts, hospice fundraising, youth orchestra initiatives, and dance education.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states including:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Missouri
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $17,708,152
- Total revenue: $653,769
- Total expenses: $1,169,715
- Net income: -$5
Historical Assets:
- 2024: $17,708,152
- 2023: $17,145,514
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,708,152 | $17,145,514 | $15,690,158 |
| Revenue | $653,769 | $647,390 | $57,695 |
| Expenses | $1,169,715 | $842,411 | $931,617 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,034,552 | $694,297 | $784,563 |
| Net Investment Income | $430,924 | $427,550 | $218,495 |
| Distributable Amount | $869,167 | $800,304 | $818,671 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Alabama Shakespeare Festival (endowmentcapital) ($300,000), Alabama Shakespeare Festival (board Compaign) ($125,000), Auburn University Tigers Unlimited ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP MONTGOMERY, AL | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| AL 4-H CLUB FOUNDATION AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| ALABAMA COASTAL FOUNDATION MOBILE, AL | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| ALABAMA DANCE THEATRE MONTGOMERY, AL | DANCE EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM | $5,000 |
| ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION IN THE ARTS (AIEA) MONTGOMERY, AL | FUNDING FOR GENERAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES | $5,000 |
| ALABAMA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL - GALA MONTGOMERY, AL | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS | $35,000 |
| ALABAMA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL (BOARD COMPAIGN) MONTGOMERY, AL | SUPPORT FOR PERFORMING ARTS | $125,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WASHINGTON, DC | FUNDING FOR GENERAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES | $3,000 |
| AUBURN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AUBURN, AL | FUNDING FOR GENERAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES | $50,000 |
| AUBURN UNIVERSITY TIGERS UNLIMITED AUBURN, AL | FUNDING FOR GENERAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- James K. Lowder – President
- Margaret B. Lowder – Vice President
- Emily Lowder Wootten – Managing Director/Executive Director (compensated at $60,000 annually)
The foundation operates with one employee on staff.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES K LOWDER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MARGARET B LOWDER | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| EMILY L WOOTTEN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 20 | $60,000 |
| JOSHUA K LOWDER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ANNA C LOWDER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 5251 Hampstead High Street, Suite 205 Montgomery, AL 36116-6758
Website: www.jklowderfamilyfoundation.com
Phone: 334-270-6520
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The J K Lowder Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • Arts and culture • Education (including charter schools, K-12 schools, and parent-teacher organizations) • Youth and family programs • Community development and revitalization • Human services • Performing arts and theater • Head Start programs
How do I apply for a grant from The J K Lowder Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 54 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $957,716 • Typical grant awards range from $500 to $300,000 **Recent Grantees (2024):** • River Region United Way: $50,000 (Community Support) • PCA Mission To North America: $35,000 (Community Support) • Montessori School at Hampstead: $25,000 (General Program Expenditures) • Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Board Campaign) The foundation supports general program expenditures, community support, performing arts, hospice fundrais…
Where does The J K Lowder Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states including: • Alabama • Georgia • Missouri • Texas • Virginia • Washington D.C.
What size grants does The J K Lowder Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The J K Lowder Family Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $959K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The J K Lowder Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The J K Lowder Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $869K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The J K Lowder Family 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.