The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation
The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1986 and based in Birmingham, Alabama. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with tax-exempt status since January 1987.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.5M
+3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$628K
+4.5% YoY
Grant Count
42
+23.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
-15.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $825K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on investing in solutions that empower the vulnerable, at-risk, and defenseless toward a flourishing future.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Wildlife Grants
- Reproductive Health
- Nonprofit Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking, with recent support including funding for For Children to Flourish (FCTF), an organization that provides free boat trips and ocean-based programs in Hawaii to help children reconnect with nature and experience healing and personal growth.
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not disclosed in sources
Review Cycle
or formal application procedures are detailed in available sources. Prospective grantees are advised to contact the foundation directly for application information.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Alabama
- Virginia
- Maryland
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2025):
- Total Assets: $12,520,345
- Total Giving: $627,797
- Revenue: $1,370,554
- Expenses: $995,992
- Net Assets: $12,465,630
- Total Liabilities: $54,700
Financial Trends: The foundation maintains substantial assets and demonstrates consistent annual grantmaking activity.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,520,345 | $12,140,959 | $12,490,630 |
| Revenue | $1,370,554 | $589,823 | $425,203 |
| Expenses | $995,992 | $943,324 | $1,126,885 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $742,925 | $712,311 | $889,787 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,118,735 | $358,810 | $200,637 |
| Distributable Amount | $824,501 | $738,831 | $732,133 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
204 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Ducks Unlimited ($51,597), University of Alabama ($50,000), Vulcan Park ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA SPORTS HALL OF FAME BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL FUND | $2,500 |
| ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BIRMINGHAM, AL | 2015 MAESTRO'S BALL | $10,000 |
| ALABAMA WILDLIFE FEDERATION MILLBROOK, AL | GENERAL FUND | $20,000 |
| ALTADENA VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL FUND | $3,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BIRMINGHAM, AL | FUND CANCER RESEARCH | $20,000 |
| BIGTIME MINISTRIES MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL | GENERAL FUND | $10,000 |
| BIRMINGHAM ZOO BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL FUND | $15,000 |
| BRIDGEWAYS BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL FUND | $32,000 |
| COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION OF ALABAMA MOBILE, AL | GENERAL FUND | $20,000 |
| COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA R JERNIGAN | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on investing in solutions that empower the vulnerable, at-risk, and defenseless toward a flourishing future. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Wildlife Grants • Reproductive Health • Nonprofit Human Services
How do I apply for a grant from The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical award range: $500–$127,374 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not disclosed in sources **Recent Activity:** The foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking, with recent support including funding for For Children to Flourish (FCTF), an organization that provides free boat trips and ocean-based programs in Hawaii to help children reconnect with nature and experience healing and personal growth. **Application Process:**
Where does The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Alabama • Virginia • Maryland
What size grants does The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation award?
In 2025, The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $628K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $825K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation's EIN?
The Thomas E Jernigan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-0935852. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Thomas E Jernigan 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.
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