The Emma Eccles Jones Foundation concentrates philanthropic support in Utah, prioritizing higher education (especially the University of Utah), health/medical education, and regional cultural institutions. Grants are frequently large, institution-building awards for capital projects, program expansion, endowed funds, and targeted initiatives like nursing and teacher-preparation. The foundation shows a preference for repeat investments in a small set of anchor institutions that serve statewide needs. Arts and children/youth services also receive strategic support alongside education and health.
A two-year pattern of multimillion-dollar support to the University of Utah Development Office stands out in Emma Eccles Jones Foundation’s recent giving, with grants of $2,200,992 in 2024 and $2,200,000 in 2025. That kind of repeat investment signals a funder that backs institutional capacity, not just short-term projects. The foundation’s recent awards also show sustained support for education and health infrastructure in Utah, including the University of Utah College of Education, the Spencer Fox Eccles Medical School, and Utah State University’s nursing and education units. Alongside higher education, it funds statewide cultural and community institutions such as Ballet West, The Children’s Center, and Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. Several awards are tied to capital campaigns, endowed funds, and program support, suggesting a preference for building long-lived assets and strengthening core operations. The grant list points to a small circle of anchor organizations, especially in Salt Lake City and Logan, that serve students, patients, artists, and families across the state.
In higher education, Emma Eccles Jones Foundation backed the University of Utah College of Education with $2,050,000 in 2023 for general operating support, then added $500,000 in 2024 and another $500,000 in 2025 for Teach for Utah program support. Health workforce development appears in Utah State University’s nursing work, including $500,000 in 2023 for the Nursing Program and $500,000 in 2024 plus $449,994 in 2025 for Nursing Program Expansion. Cultural institutions also receive structured support: Ballet West got $575,000 in 2025 tied to sponsorship, a scholarship challenge grant, and the Raising the Barre capital campaign. Early childhood education is represented by The Madeleine Choir School, which received $150,000 in 2025 for the Early Childhood Education Center.
Typical gifts cluster around a moderate-to-large institutional scale: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $30,000, and the 75th percentile is $75,000. The recent record also includes repeated seven-figure awards to the same recipients, showing multi-year support rather than one-off grants. Most awards are general operating support, program support, or capital funding, with some endowed-fund and sponsorship-related gifts. The foundation is a local Utah funder, and its recent grantees recur across years, especially at the University of Utah and Utah State University.
$5.1M
$170.2M
$9.5M
$8.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $75K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$75K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a limited number of recurring, statewide institutions—especially the University of Utah and Utah State—focused on capital campaigns, program expansion, endowments, and strategic initiatives rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: University of Utah Development Office, University of Utah College of Education (Teach for Utah), Spencer F. Eccles/Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (University of Utah), Ballet West, Utah State University College of Education & Human Services
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Utah: 95% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Salt Lake City and Logan account for many of the named awards, including the University of Utah, Ballet West, The Children’s Center, Westminster College, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and Utah State University units. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 147 grants in the United States.
The recent grant list centers on higher education, health professions, and cultural institutions in Utah. Named recipients include the University of Utah College of Education, Spencer Fox Eccles Medical School, Utah State University nursing programs, Ballet West, The Children’s Center, and Utah Symphony | Utah Opera.
Yes. The University of Utah Development Office received $2,200,992 in 2024 and $2,200,000 in 2025. The University of Utah College of Education also received awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating recurring support rather than isolated grants.
The grant-size distribution is centered on institutional gifts: p25 is $10,000, median is $30,000, and p75 is $75,000. The recent list also includes much larger awards, including multimillion-dollar support for university development and seven-figure gifts for education and medical school programs.
The foundation gives locally in Utah, with 95% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Named recipients are concentrated in Salt Lake City and Logan, and the recent grants list shows all grants to U.S. recipients.
Higher education, nursing and health-professions expansion, arts and culture, and early childhood education all appear in the recent record. Examples include Teach for Utah support at the University of Utah, nursing program expansion at Utah State University, a capital campaign grant to Ballet West, and funding for The Madeleine Choir School’s Early Childhood Education Center.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH EEJ FUND CO DEVELOPMENT OFFICE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,200,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BALLET WEST | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $500,000 | 2026 | RAISING THE BARRE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SPENCER F ECCLES SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $344,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL FUNDING-STUDENT WELCOME & ENGAGEMENT SUITE |
| MCGILLIS SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $300,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN-LAST DOLLAR |
| UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES | LOGAN, UT | $250,000 | 2026 | COLLABORATORY FOR INNOVATION IN TEACHING & LEADERSHIP |
| MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $150,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL FUNDING FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER |
| UTAH SYMPHONY I UTAH OPERA | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $125,000 | 2026 | UTAH SYMPHONY | UTAH OPERAS 2025-26 ANNUAL FUND |
| UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY NORA ECCLES HARRISON MUSEUM OF ARTS | LOGAN, UT | $100,000 | 2026 | WANLESS CENTER FOR ART RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER BUILDING CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $100,000 | 2026 | FACILITY UPGRADES FOR THE EMMA ECCLES JONES FINE ARTS HOUSE |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | ATLANTA, GA | $100,000 | 2026 | ACS EXTRAMURAL DISCOVERY SCIENCES & DR. ELISSA OZANNE, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH PROJECT |
| BALLET WEST | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $75,000 | 2026 | BALLET WESTS 2025/26 SEASON GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP MATCH GRANT |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE ASSOCIATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GUADALUPE CENTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INC | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR SIX EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | YOUTH TEACHING YOUTH PROGRAM |
| UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE | LOGAN, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 25-26 |
| UTAH'S PROMISE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE STUDENT ADVOCATES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER SALT LAKE | MURRAY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | PRODUCTION SPONSORSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED FUNDING & CREATIVE AGING PROGRAM |
| LISTENERS COMMUNITY RADIO OF UTAH INC DBA KRCL | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY CONNECTION CAMPAIGN |
| THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF WEBER-DAVIS | OGDEN, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | ROY CLUB RENOVATION |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $40,000 | 2026 | JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENTS K-6 IN-CLASS WHOLE SCHOOL AND BIZTOWN PROGRAMS IN 2025-2026 |
| UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | CEDAR CITY, UT | $35,000 | 2026 | 2025 SEMINAR GROVE SPONSORSHIP |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD ASSOCIATION OF UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2026 | PLANNED PARENTHOOD STATEWIDE EDUCATION |
| YMCA OF NORTHERN UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2026 | YMCA PRESCHOOL PROGRAM |
| YWCA UTAH | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2026 | YWCA UTAH GENERAL OPERATING |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RED BUTTE GARDEN & ARBORETUM | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2026 | YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS & SCHOLARSHIPS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF UTAH | SLC, UT | $20,000 | 2026 | GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE (GSLE) |
| GEORGE S ECCLES ICE CENTER | LOGAN, UT | $20,000 | 2026 | EMMA ECCLES JONES FOUNDATION SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM |
| CACHE VALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS | LOGAN, UT | $20,000 | 2026 | 2025 - 2026 CACHEARTS PRESENTS SERIES OF NATIONALLY TOURING ARTISTS |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN AREA INC | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2026 | RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES' EMERGENCY MEDICAL HOUSING & RESPITE PROGRAM |
| REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH KUER | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL PROGRAMMING SUPPORT |
| THE CHILDREN'S CENTER | WEST VALLEY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN WEST HERITAGE CENTER | WELLSVILLE, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL EDUCATION/PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| WASATCH COMMUNITY GARDENS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | YOUTH & SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM |
| NAVAJO SANTA | SALT LAKE CTY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | NAVAJO SANTA HUMANITARIAN AND SUSTAINABILITY CORE PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | ASHBY DECKER MEMORIAL GIFT |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| UTAH YOUTH VILLAGE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | FAMILIES FIRST PROGRAM |
| LOGAN YOUTH SHAKESPEARE | LOGAN, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | LOGAN YOUTH SHAKESPEARE 2025-26 SEASON |
| INTERMOUNTAIN THERAPY ANIMALS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY(AAT) PROGRAMS: HEALTH CARE THERAPY AND READING EDUCATION ASSISTANCE DOGS |
| ODYSSEY HOUSE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | LIFE SKILLS TRAINING FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN PROJECT |
| THERAPY ANIMALS OF UTAH (UTAH PET PARTNERS) | PROVO, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY AND ACTIVITIES IN UTAH |
| ECCLES COMMUNITY ART CENTER | OGDEN, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,200,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BALLET WEST | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $575,000 | 2025 | $50K SPONSORSHIP; $25K SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE GRANT; RAISING THE BARRE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $500,000 | 2025 | TEACH FOR UTAH PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES | LOGAN, UT | $449,994 | 2025 | NURSING PROGRAM EXPANSION |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SPENCER F ECCLES SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $300,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL FUNDING-STUDENT WELCOME & ENGAGEMENT SUITE |
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH EEJ FUND CO DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
$2,200,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SPENCER F ECCLES SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
$344,000CAPITAL FUNDING-STUDENT WELCOME & ENGAGEMENT SUITE
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES
$250,000COLLABORATORY FOR INNOVATION IN TEACHING & LEADERSHIP
MADELEINE CHOIR SCHOOL
CAPITAL FUNDING FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER
UTAH SYMPHONY | UTAH OPERAS 2025-26 ANNUAL FUND
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY NORA ECCLES HARRISON MUSEUM OF ARTS
$100,000WANLESS CENTER FOR ART RESEARCH & EDUCATION CENTER BUILDING CAMPAIGN
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
$100,000FACILITY UPGRADES FOR THE EMMA ECCLES JONES FINE ARTS HOUSE
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$100,000ACS EXTRAMURAL DISCOVERY SCIENCES & DR. ELISSA OZANNE, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH PROJECT
BALLET WESTS 2025/26 SEASON GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP MATCH GRANT
GENERAL SUPPORT FOR SIX EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH
$50,000YOUTH TEACHING YOUTH PROGRAM
UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE
$50,000UTAH FESTIVAL OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT 25-26
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY
$50,000PRODUCTION SPONSORSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED FUNDING & CREATIVE AGING PROGRAM
LISTENERS COMMUNITY RADIO OF UTAH INC DBA KRCL
$50,000COMMUNITY CONNECTION CAMPAIGN
THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF WEBER-DAVIS
$50,000ROY CLUB RENOVATION
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENTS K-6 IN-CLASS WHOLE SCHOOL AND BIZTOWN PROGRAMS IN 2025-2026
UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$35,0002025 SEMINAR GROVE SPONSORSHIP
PLANNED PARENTHOOD STATEWIDE EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RED BUTTE GARDEN & ARBORETUM
$20,000YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS & SCHOLARSHIPS
GIRL SCOUTS OF UTAH
$20,000GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE (GSLE)
GEORGE S ECCLES ICE CENTER
$20,000EMMA ECCLES JONES FOUNDATION SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM
2025 - 2026 CACHEARTS PRESENTS SERIES OF NATIONALLY TOURING ARTISTS
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES' EMERGENCY MEDICAL HOUSING & RESPITE PROGRAM
REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH KUER
$15,000GENERAL PROGRAMMING SUPPORT
THE CHILDREN'S CENTER
$15,000THERAPEUTIC PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
AMERICAN WEST HERITAGE CENTER
$10,000GENERAL EDUCATION/PROGRAMMING AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
NAVAJO SANTA
$10,000NAVAJO SANTA HUMANITARIAN AND SUSTAINABILITY CORE PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY
$10,000ASHBY DECKER MEMORIAL GIFT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
$10,000SCHOLARSHIPS
LOGAN YOUTH SHAKESPEARE
$10,000LOGAN YOUTH SHAKESPEARE 2025-26 SEASON
INTERMOUNTAIN THERAPY ANIMALS
$10,000ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY(AAT) PROGRAMS: HEALTH CARE THERAPY AND READING EDUCATION ASSISTANCE DOGS
THERAPY ANIMALS OF UTAH (UTAH PET PARTNERS)
$5,000ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY AND ACTIVITIES IN UTAH
ECCLES COMMUNITY ART CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
$2,200,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
$50K SPONSORSHIP; $25K SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE GRANT; RAISING THE BARRE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
$500,000TEACH FOR UTAH PROGRAM SUPPORT
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SERVICES
$449,994NURSING PROGRAM EXPANSION
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH SPENCER F ECCLES SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
$300,000CAPITAL FUNDING-STUDENT WELCOME & ENGAGEMENT SUITE