The James Joseph Ford Foundation
The James Joseph Ford Foundation is a private foundation based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its stated mission is to support educational, social, and cultural programs that give children equal opportunity to reach their potential; its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations serving youth and families, people with disabilities, and animals.
The James Joseph Ford Foundation at a glance
In short: The James Joseph Ford Foundation gave $41K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Nevada. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $41,100
- +32.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- +38.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,283
- -4.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,250
- Total assets
- $271,338
- -7.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Nevada (54% 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 The James Joseph Ford Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its program description says annual awards are determined by the Board based on applications for specific uses of funds; the available information does not specify application materials or restrictions.
- Contact
Mailing address: 9317 Tournament Canyon Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89144
Phone: (702) 878-1795
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The James Joseph Ford Foundation
Who The James Joseph Ford Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Capability Health & Human Services ($5K). Together the top 10 received $33K.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 49 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went primarily to organizations in Nevada (54%) and California (24%). Other recipient states listed were New Jersey (6%), New York (6%), and Mississippi (5%). The grant list also includes a Minnesota recipient.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
How The James Joseph Ford Foundation gives
- 17% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 1393% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 313% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2021) to $41K (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $41K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Capability Health & Human Services Las Vegas, NV | To serve families and children who have been diagnosed with developmental delays and other disorders as well as families and adults with physical and intellectual limitations. | $5,000 |
| Children's Lifesaving Foundation Santa Monica, CA | To transform the lives of underserved, bipoc youth and houseless families living in shelters and transitional housing by providing outdoor education as well as other educational assitance and scholarships. | $5,000 |
| Heaven Can Wait Animal Society Las Vegas, NV | To eliminate the senseless, unnecessary euthaniasia of cats and dogs. | $5,000 |
| NSPCA Las Vegas, NV | To help people and pets by providing walk-in adoptions, low cost veterinary assistance, fostering pets and providing community support through the pet pantry. | $3,000 |
| Elevate Your Game Los Angeles, CA | To lift urban students (through mentoring) to higher levels in the grades, attendance and maturity to empower them to be leaders. | $2,500 |
| Foster Kinship Las Vegas, NV | To strengthen kinship caregivers' capacity to provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children. | $2,500 |
| Jacobs Heart Watsonville, CA | To help improve the quality life for children with cancer and support their families in the challenges they face. | $2,500 |
| Ocean's Harbor House Toms River, NJ | To provide homeless teens and youth with a stable, safe, clean and healthy living enviromnent. | $2,500 |
| Queens Academy Queens, NY | To foster community, acceptance, integrity, respect, accountability and perseverance in students so they can be responsible, driven and successful adults. | $2,500 |
| Bridge Builders Leadership Initiative Pearl, MS | To provide families the opportunity to grow and succeed with tuition-free after-school and summer programming. | $2,000 |
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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 | $271,338 | $24,256 | $46,500 | $41,100 | 18 | $44,491 | $22,247 | $14,214 |
| 2023 | $293,582 | $5,249 | $32,550 | $31,000 | 13 | $31,000 | $10,656 | $14,593 |
| 2022 | $320,883 | $9,814 | $28,281 | $26,100 | 7 | $26,100 | $8,333 | $14,863 |
| 2021 | $339,350 | $10,539 | $4,829 | $2,752 | 1 | $3,352 | $8,062 | $13,415 |
| 2020 | $333,640 | $23,815 | $35,357 | $34,300 | 10 | — | $23,224 | $9,194 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The James Joseph Ford Foundation reported a distributable amount of $14K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to create and support educational, social, & cultural programs that allow every child equal & ample opportunity to reach their potential--and be inspired to live generously.” Its youth-program description says it supports and invests in programming and organizations serving underserved youth.
The 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of services. For example, Capability Health & Human Services describes its work as providing services to children and adults with disabilities; Heaven Can Wait Animal Society describes its work as preventing unnecessary euthanasia and improving cats’ and dogs’ quality of life; and Foster Kinship says it supports kinship families raising children. Other recipients describe work with vulnerable youth, homeless young women, after-school leadership programs, and racial justice and equity.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 18 grants totaling $41,100. Grant amounts ranged from $600 to $5,000, with a median of $2,250. The largest listed awards were $5,000 each to Capability Health & Human Services, Children’s Lifesaving Foundation, and Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. Other notable grants included $3,000 to NSPCA and $2,500 each to Elevate Your Game, Foster Kinship, Jacobs Heart, Ocean’s Harbor House, and Queens Academy.
The foundation’s youth-program description says annual grants are based on applications for specific uses of funds. However, its 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joshua S. Ford as President/Director. Directors listed are Nazanin Ford, Allan Avelino, Elizabeth Swett, John Breitling, and Todd Ramasar.
The James Joseph Ford Foundation is led by Joshua S. Ford, President & Director since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joshua S. Ford
President & Director
Director → President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allan Avelino
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Swett
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Breitling
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nazanin Ford
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Ramasar
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The James Joseph Ford Foundation
How much does The James Joseph Ford Foundation give each year?
The James Joseph Ford Foundation gave $41K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $31K across 13 grants.
What is The James Joseph Ford Foundation's typical grant size?
The James Joseph Ford Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,250, and its average grant was $2,283, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The James Joseph Ford Foundation give grants?
The James Joseph Ford Foundation gives mostly in Nevada: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (24%) and New Jersey (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Las Vegas, NV (8 grants).
Does The James Joseph Ford Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on The James Joseph Ford Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The James Joseph Ford Foundation's largest grantees?
The James Joseph Ford Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Capability Health & Human Services ($5,000), Children's Lifesaving Foundation ($5,000) and Heaven Can Wait Animal Society ($5,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The James Joseph Ford Foundation?
The James Joseph Ford Foundation reported $271K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $44K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The James Joseph Ford Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to create and support educational, social, & cultural programs that allow every child equal & ample opportunity to reach their potential--and be inspired to live generously.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The James Joseph Ford Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The James Joseph Ford Foundation's EIN?
The James Joseph Ford Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0511029. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The James Joseph Ford Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The James Joseph Ford Foundation funds
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