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
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
No grants recorded for .
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 | — |
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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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