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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Alabama in Birmingham ($492,760), Friends of 400 Foundation ($100,000), Land Trust of North Alabama ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE DECATUR, GA | EDUCATION | $70,394 |
| ATHENS LIMESTONE COUNTY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER ATHENS, AL | FUNDS WILL BE USED TO BEGIN THE LIMESTONE COUNTY FAMILY INITIATIVE - PARENTING PROJECT INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF CURRICULUM, SUPPLIES, PART TIME INSTRUCTORS AND SUPERVISION FOR THE PROGRAM. | $16,316 |
| CLINICA MEDICA MOSCATI HUNTSVILLE, AL | FUNDS TO CONVERT A PAN-TIME SOCIAL WORKER TO FULL TIME AND RENEWAL OF THE DISPENSARY OF HOPE FREE MEDICINE PROGRAM FOR PATIENTS UNABLE TO AFFORD INSU LIN FOR TREATMENT OF DIABETES. | $16,316 |
| COMMUNITY FREE DENTAL CLINIC HUNTSVILLE, AL | FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE A NEW AUTOCLAVE USED TO STERILIZE SURGICAL TOOLS AND DENTAL EQUIPMENT. | $8,000 |
| FRIENDS OF 400 FOUNDATION MADISON, AL | FUNDS WILL BE USED TO REPURPOSE SPACE, PURCHASE LAPTOPS, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT, & SUPPLIES FOR THE NEW LEARNING CENTER WITH STEM LAB, AND CLASSROOM SPACE FOR TUTORING, HOMEWORK STUDY & READING LITERACY PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES. | $100,000 |
| GIRLS INC HUNTSVILLE, AL | EDUCATION-NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR GIRLS | $70,394 |
| GRACES OF GURLEY GURLEY, AL | FUNDS WILL BE USED TO HELP WITH THE FUNDING OF PARENTING WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS OF MADISON COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS PART OF A FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE MENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH OF FAMILIES IN GURLEY. | $8,000 |
| HIS WAY RECOVERY HUNTSVILLE, AL | FUNDS TO SUPPORT FACILITY UPGRADES AND REPAIRS AND ENSURE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT | $50,000 |
| HUNTSVILLE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB HUNTSVILLE, AL | EDUCATION-NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR BOYS & GIRLS | $70,394 |
| HUNTSVILLE CHAMBER MUSIC GUILD HUNTSVILLE, AL | FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE 71ST SEASON WHICH WILL INCLUDE PRESENTING SEVEN CONCERTS, OFFER EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONCERTS, AND REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO INTRODUCE MORE PEOPLE TO THE PLEASURE OF CHAMBER MUSIC. | $16,315 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $8,000 to $598,289, with a median grant amount of $20,376. **Annual Giving:** The foundation distributed $1,407,885 in total giving, with a giving rate of 5.5% of assets. **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 68 grants in its most recent reporting period. Recent grantees have included: • North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless ($100,000) • Food Bank of North Alabama • University of Alabama in Birmingham • Athens-Limestone Children's Advocac…
Where does The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation make 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.
What size grants does The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation awarded 23 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $61K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation's EIN?
The Jane K Lowe Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-6203439. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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