The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation
The Jane K. Lowe Charitable Foundation is a private foundation established in 1998 in Huntsville, Alabama. The foundation was created when Jane K. Lowe passed away on August 21, 1997, at the age of 95, leaving most of her estate to perpetuate her charitable legacy. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a staff of three employees.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.6M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
-6.2% YoY
Grant Count
23
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
-6.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is giving primarily for education and youth organizations. The foundation distributes the greater of its net income or 5% of its value each year, with 60% allocated to six named charities and 40% distributed to charitable organizations selected at the discretion of the trustees.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education and research
- Youth education and K-12 schools
- Human services
- Community health
- Arts and culture
- Community development
Grantmaking
How to Apply
** The foundation accepts applications from eligible organizations. Detailed application procedures are available on the foundation's website.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation limits its giving to nonprofit organizations operating in Madison County, Alabama. The foundation has a particular connection to the Huntsville area, where Jane K. Lowe was active throughout her lifetime.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $25,614,515
Total Giving: $1,407,885
Total Revenue: $1,379,239
Total Expenses: $1,648,371
Giving Rate: 5.5% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,614,515 | $25,881,307 | $26,376,426 |
| Revenue | $1,379,239 | $1,251,305 | $963,115 |
| Expenses | $1,648,371 | $1,729,700 | $1,941,103 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,407,885 | $1,501,500 | $1,709,396 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,163,180 | $1,042,495 | $745,214 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,497,292 | $1,407,885 | $1,501,500 |
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
112 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees:
- John W. Clayton - Trustee (4 hours/week, $50,000 compensation)
- Richard J. Smith - Trustee (10 hours/week, $50,000 compensation)
- John R. Wynn - Trustee (4 hours/week, $50,000 compensation)
Richard J. Smith succeeded Billie R. Smith, who retired in 2009 after many years of service to Mrs. Lowe and the Foundation. W. F. Sanders, Jr. also serves as a trustee.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN W CLAYTON | TRUSTEE | 4 | $50,000 |
| RICHARD J SMITH | TRUSTEE | 10 | $50,000 |
| JOHN R WYNN | TRUSTEE | 4 | $50,000 |
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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