Under the terms of the trust creating the Jane K. Lowe Charitable Foundation, the Foundation distributes the greater of its net income or 5% of its value each year, as follows: 60% among six named charitable organizations and 40% among charitable organizations selected in the discretion of the Trustees. The Trustees have adopted the following grant procedures in connection with the exercise of their discretion.



Organizations which seek Foundation support should direct, in triplicate, written grant proposals to:

Jane K. Lowe Charitable Foundation
P.O. Box 348
Huntsville, Alabama 35804

Telephone: 256-536-1231


Grant applications should be submitted by June 1 of each year. Grants will be announced on or before July 15 of each year.

The Foundation does not require a grant application form. However, applications should be made in writing and should include the following information:
  • A description of the organization, its purposes, programs, staffing, and governing board.
  • The organization's latest financial statements, including the most recent year-end report.
  • If the request is to fund a project of the organization, furnish the following information:
    • a description of the proposed project
    • why the project is needed and the impact it will have on the organization and the community
    • how the project relates to the organization's long term plans and priorities
    • brief overview of project plans and time-tables
    • project budget
    • summary of funding commitments received to date for the project
    • how the project will affect the organization's future operating budget (expenses & revenues)
    • amount of funds requested from the Foundation
    • itemized project budget, including other sources of support in hand or anticipated
  • If the request is for operating funds, a description of the use of the funds and proposed budget which shows the application of such funds.
  • Evidence from the Internal Revenue Service of the organization's non-profit status.


The grant application should be submitted over the signature of the organization's Chief Executive Officer or Chairperson of the Board. Three copies of the grant application should be submitted. Meetings and site visits may be scheduled with the applicant if deemed necessary to make an informed judgment on the request.



The Trustees make their grant decisions based on the materials submitted by each applicant. Each applicant will be notified in writing shortly after a decision on grant applications has been made. Funds from the Foundation will be disbursed after announcement of the grant awards. Applicants who receive grants or who are denied grants may make a subsequent application for a grant at any time.



In certain instances, grant recipients will be requested to submit a brief written report periodically or at the completion of a project describing what has been accomplished with the funds granted and accounting for the expenditure of the funds. This may be a condition of the grant. Foundation funds may be expended only for the purpose for which they were granted.



In order to maximize the impact of available Foundation funds, the Trustees generally will limit their grant awards to charitable organizations operating in Madison County, Alabama. Requests from organizations operating outside Madison County, Alabama, will usually not be considered. An applicant organization must be exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in order to be eligible.

Requests for major capital projects and endowments are eligible for consideration. However, requests for administrative, program, or operating support are also eligible for funding. Multi-year grant commitments will not be approved. The Foundation will not make grants:

  • To individuals
  • To churches and religious organizations for projects that primarily benefit their own members or adherence
  • For tickets to charitable events or dinners
  • For research
  • For conferences or seminars
  • To sponsor special events, productions, or performances
  • For legislative, lobbying, or other political purposes
  • To retire accumulated debt




The Foundation will make grants in three tiers:
  • First Tier grants will be based on the Trustees' belief that such grants will have a significant and lasting impact on the organization and the community. These grants will be approximately 35% of the funds available each year for discretionary grants. The Foundation anticipates making one or two such grants annually.
  • Second Tier grants will be based on the Trustees' belief that such grants are strategically important to the organization's growth and capability and will enable the organization to more effectively address important community needs. These grants will be approximately 35% of the funds available each year for discretionary grants. The Foundation anticipates making approximately two to six such grants annually.
  • Third Tier grants will be based on the Trustees' belief that such grants will significantly promote programs, projects, or operations of the requesting organization. These grants will be approximately 30% of the funds available each year for discretionary grants. The Foundation anticipates making approximately five to ten such grants annually.