Jefferson Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Jefferson Foundation is a private foundation in Festus, Missouri. In tax year 2024 it gave $13.0 million in 219 grants; the typical grant was $22,500 and the largest $345,488. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$13.0 million
- Number of grants219
- Typical grant$22,500
- Largest grant$345,488
- Assets$197 million
- New grantees23%
Giving in 2024 was up from $7.6 million the year before.
23% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.6 million | 187 | $174 million |
| 2024 | $13.0 million | 219 | $197 million |
How to apply
Jefferson Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Jefferson Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Missouri.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 218 | $7.7 million |
| North Carolina | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chestnut Health Systems | Project access | $345,488 |
| Mercy Health Foundation Jefferson | Mercy hospital jefferson da vinci robotic surgeon phase two | $312,500 |
| Saint Louis Counseling | Outpatient mental health services | $200,000 |
| Jefferson County Health Department | Life saving support for prevention services | $175,000 |
| Upward Smiles Inc | 2024a - upward smiles program support | $150,000 |
| Jefferson College Foundation Inc | Jefferson college student scholarships and vikings' vault food pantry | $125,000 |
| Chads Coalition for Mental Health | Chads school outreach | $120,000 |
| Jefferson College Foundation Inc | Jefferson college ems simulation equipment | $110,490 |
| Pony Bird Inc | Greater impact through strengthened facilities for individuals with disabilities | $108,912 |
| Lafayette Industries | Stepup jefferson county expansion | $108,300 |
| Aging Ahead | Nutrition program and disaster preparedness kits for elderly | $105,000 |
| Disability Resource Association Inc | Dra transportation, independence support, and consumer assistance for seniors & disabled | $100,000 |
| Liv Recovery Sober Living | Jefferson county recovery housing program | $100,000 |
| Liv Recovery Sober Living | Jefferson county community care center | $100,000 |
| Ozark Food Pantry | Building campaign | $100,000 |
| Promise Community Homes | Instilling understanding: a movement to decrease housing insecurities for adults with idd | $100,000 |
| The Curators of the University of Missouri | Psychological evaluation program for high-risk jefferson county youth | $100,000 |
| Upward Smiles Inc | 2024b - crowning our children | $98,567 |
| Jefferson County Community Partnership | Children and families safe (dec. 2024-nov. 2025) | $95,000 |
| Familyforward | Child abuse treatment and prevention services | $93,540 |
| The Scholarship Foundation of St Louis | Jefferson bravo grant program | $90,000 |
| Provident Inc | Provident behavioral health services | $87,984 |
| Living Faith Food Pantry | General expenses and refrigeration van | $77,830 |
| Hillsboro Food Pantry | Serving our community and van replacement | $75,000 |
| Office of Job Training Programs | Pathway to employment | $70,000 |
| Our Little Haven | Serving children and families in jefferson county | $70,000 |
| Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson County | Casa of jefferson county | $68,500 |
| Alive | Program support in jefferson county | $65,000 |
| Disability Resource Association Inc | Dra accessible transit vehicles, home modifications and in-home care for low-income disabled | $65,000 |
| Faith Community Church | Marketplace food pantry programs | $62,500 |
| Center for Hearing & Speech | Communication services for jefferson county residents | $60,011 |
| Developmental Disability Advocates | Setworks software subscription and safety/security lighting | $60,000 |
| Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services | Jefferson county family solutions for kids (jc-fsk) | $60,000 |
| Prevented | Prevention first and guided - jefferson county | $60,000 |
| Operation Food Search | Emergency food distribution through 12 jefferson county food pantries | $57,500 |
| Peace Pantry | Proactive portfolio program - financial assistance and capacity building grant | $57,500 |
| Brenden's Friday Backpack Program Inc | Brenden's friday backpacks | $55,000 |
| Christian Family Services | Jefferson county initiative | $55,000 |
| Nurses for Newborns | Keeping babies safe in jefferson county | $55,000 |
| The Salvation Army - Arnold Corps | Emergency social service, jefferson county service center - capital improvements, and leveraging technology to increase access to mental health services | $55,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Benjamin Albano MD
- Dan Eckenfels
- Jeff Buck
- Jeff Draves MD
- Jim Muehlhauser
- Lindell Carter
- Michael Ravenscraft
- Ron Ravenscraft
- Stoke Wischmeier
- Timothy Patterson
Questions people ask
Does Jefferson Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Jefferson Foundation give?
$13.0 million in tax year 2024, across 219 grants, with a typical grant of $22,500.
Who runs Jefferson Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Benjamin Albano MD (Director), Dan Eckenfels (Director), Jeff Buck (Director) and Jeff Draves MD (Chairman) among 10 officers and trustees.
What does Jefferson Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, human services and food and hunger.