The J L Bedsole Foundation focuses its giving on local educational and community infrastructure in the Mobile, AL area, prioritizing capital projects that strengthen K–12 independent schools, university programs (notably medical education), and regional innovation/economic initiatives. Grants are large and targeted, often funding bricks-and-mortar improvements or campaign gifts rather than program operating support. The foundation appears to prefer a small number of sizeable, place-based investments that enhance institutional capacity and facilities.
J L Bedsole Foundation Regions Bank Co-trustee gives at a scale that is unusually concentrated in Mobile-area institutions, with its largest recent awards going to the University of South Alabama for the Whiddon College of Medicine capital campaign and to the Mobile Area Chamber Foundation for the Innovation Portal. Those grants point to a funder that favors visible, place-based projects over broad operating support. The foundation’s recent grants show a steady preference for schools, universities, and civic organizations that can convert dollars into buildings, renovations, and long-term capacity. Bayside Academy received a $500,000 capital project grant, while St. Paul’s Episcopal School and Ums-Wright Preparatory School also drew major support for campus improvements. The same pattern extends beyond education: Mobile-area nonprofits and civic entities such as Coastal Alabama Partnership, Innovation Portal, and the Mobile Area Education Foundation appear in the grant list as well. Across these awards, the foundation backs institutions rooted in the Mobile region, with giving that often appears tied to campaigns, facilities, or targeted capital needs rather than unrestricted support.
Education is a major thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In higher education, they gave $500,000 to the University of South Alabama for the Whiddon College of Medicine capital campaign, and they also supported the University of Mobile with $100,000 for the Pharr Gymnasium project. K–12 schools are another clear focus: St. Paul’s Episcopal School received $250,000 for a capital project, and Bayside Academy received $500,000 for a capital project. The foundation also supports community-oriented educational assets and programming. Exploreum Science Center received $75,000 for educational programming and another $75,000 for operating expenses, while Mobile Symphony Orchestra received $30,000 for education programs. These grants show attention to both formal schooling and public-facing learning institutions.
The foundation’s typical grant size is compact relative to its largest awards: the 25th percentile is $4,500, the median is $6,000, and the 75th percentile is $9,898. That suggests a long tail of smaller gifts alongside a smaller set of large capital commitments. The recent record includes repeated grants to several recipients across different years, including Mobile Area Chamber Foundation, Coastal Alabama Partnership, Bayshore Christian School, Exploreum Science Center, and Victory Health Partners, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off support only. The organization also funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Its recent awards include both capital and operating line items, but the overall pattern is still centered on targeted institutional support.
$3.3M
$55M
$19.1M
$4.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $6K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$6K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated, large-dollar capital grants to a small set of local beneficiaries; repeat support to key institutions rather than many small or national grants.
Notable grantees: Mobile Area Chamber Foundation, Bayside Academy, University of South Alabama (Whiddon College of Medicine), St. Paul's Episcopal School, UMS-Wright Preparatory School
Giving is overwhelmingly local and centered in Alabama: 99% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also Alabama. Mobile accounts for most of the named recipients, including the University of South Alabama, St. Paul’s Episcopal School, Mobile Area Chamber Foundation, and Mobile Symphony Orchestra. Outside Mobile, grants still stay close to the region, reaching Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Tuscaloosa. The recipient-country distribution is entirely domestic, with all grants going to U.S. organizations.
The recent grant record is heavily weighted toward education and community institutions. Named recipients include schools such as Bayside Academy and St. Paul’s Episcopal School, universities such as the University of South Alabama, and civic groups such as the Mobile Area Chamber Foundation and Coastal Alabama Partnership.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered on modest awards: the 25th percentile is $4,500, the median is $6,000, and the 75th percentile is $9,898. The record also includes larger capital gifts, but those sit above the middle of the distribution.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Mobile Area Chamber Foundation, Coastal Alabama Partnership, Bayshore Christian School, Exploreum Science Center, and Victory Health Partners. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than strictly one-time gifts.
Yes. The geographic scope is local, 99% of grants go to recipients in Alabama, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Many named grantees are in Mobile, with additional Alabama recipients in Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, and Tuscaloosa.
Many grants are tied to capital or facility needs. Examples in the recent record include the Whiddon College of Medicine capital campaign at the University of South Alabama, a capital project at Bayside Academy, a new dining facility at Ums-Wright Preparatory School, and the Pharr Gymnasium project at the University of Mobile.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA | MOBILE, AL | $500,000 | 2025 | GRANT - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN WHIDDON COLLEGE OF MED |
| BAYSIDE ACADEMY | DAPHNE, AL | $500,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT |
| ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | MOBILE, AL | $250,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL PROJECT |
| MOBILE AREA EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MOBILE, AL | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COVENANT ACADEMY OF MOBILE | MOBILE, AL | $104,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL PROJECTS |
| COASTAL ALABAMA PARTNERSHIP | MOBILE, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| INNOVATION PORTAL | MOBILE, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DUMAS WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER | MOBILE, AL | $82,305 | 2025 | CAPITAL REPAIRS |
| EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER | MOBILE, AL | $75,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| MOST PURE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL | MOBILE, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | CAFETERIA RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION |
| BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | FAIRHOPE, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS PHASE 3 |
| VICTORY HEALTH PARTNERS | MOBILE, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | OPERATING FUNDS |
| MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART | MOBILE, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION |
| COMMUNITY OF MOBILE INC | MOBILE, AL | $31,500 | 2025 | UNDERPASS PROJECT |
| MULHERIN CUSTODIAL HOME | MOBILE, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | BUILDING UPGRADE |
| MOBILE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MOBILE, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME FOUNDATION | THEODORE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | BOEHM GALLERY WINDOW RESTORATION PROJECT |
| FIRST LIGHT COMMUNITY OF MOBILE | MOBILE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | RENOVATIONS FOR A NEW HOME |
| THOMAS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | FAIRHOPE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | MICU AND WOMEN/CHILD RENOVATION |
| ST LUKE'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL | MOBILE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | FENCING AND CAMERAS |
| NEST CORPORATION | MOBILE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM |
| VIA HEALTH FITNESS & ENRICHMENT CENTER | MOBILE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GYMNASIUM ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTH ALABAMA | MOBILE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | END THE WAIT CAMPAIGN |
| DUMAS WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER | MOBILE, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | AFTER SCHOOL/SUMMER RECREATION |
| COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSN | MOBILE, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | SIDEWALK PROJECT |
| DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB FOUNDATION | MOBILE, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | PASSENGER VAN |
| JACKSON ACADEMY | JACKSON, AL | $17,500 | 2025 | GYMNASIUM RENOVATION |
| PERDUE HILL - CLAIBORNE FOUNDATION | PERDUE HILL, AL | $15,611 | 2025 | EXTERIOR REPAIRS AND RESTORATION |
| KINGDOM RENOVATION FOUNDATION | MOBILE, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | OPERATION RAMP UP |
| CASA MOBILE INC | MOBILE, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING |
| MONROE COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM | MONROEVILLE, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | PIONEER DAYS AND A DAY IN OLD MONROEVILLE |
| REBUILDING TOGETHER OF SOUTH ALABAMA | MOBILE, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORTS - CLARKE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES |
| SALVATION ARMY | MOBILE, AL | $12,500 | 2025 | DAUPHIN WAY LODGE RECOVERY PROGRAM |
| PRICHARD PREPARATORY SCHOOL | WHISTLER, AL | $12,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIC BRIDGE PROGRAM |
| ORCHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MOBILE, AL | $12,000 | 2025 | READING YOUR WAY INTO THE FUTURE - BOOKS |
| MOBILE AREA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| OZANAM CHARITABLE PHARMACY | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | PHARMACY SUPPORT |
| RANSOM MINISTRIES | CHICKASAW, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR RANSOM TRAINEES |
| FRIENDS OF THE SWIFT-COLE HISTORIC HOUSE | MONTROSE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | PAVILLION PROJECT |
| FOSTERING TOGETHER GULF COAST | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | FOSTER CARE RESOUCE CENTER |
| FUSE PROJECT | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | AVENUE BRIDGE COLLABORATION |
| MOBILE BALLET | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | DISCOVER DANCE PROGRAM 2024-2025 |
| WILMER HALL | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM |
| RAPAHOPE CHILDRENS RETREAT FOUNDATION | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | SIBLING PROGRAM |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | GULFPORT, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | ENHANCING CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE |
| COFFEEVILLE ONE COMMUNITY | COFFEEVILLE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | RENOVATION PROJECT |
| SHOULDER OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST INC | SPANISH FORT, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | EMPOWERMENT ESSENTIALS |
| MOBILE ARTS COUNCIL | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | AMP UP ARTS |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST ALABAMA | MOBILE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | BASICS AND DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY |
| BIG FISH MINISTRIES | FOLEY, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | MEN'S DORM RENOVATION |
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
$500,000GRANT - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN WHIDDON COLLEGE OF MED
MOBILE AREA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$150,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COVENANT ACADEMY OF MOBILE
$104,000SPECIAL PROJECTS
COASTAL ALABAMA PARTNERSHIP
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
INNOVATION PORTAL
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER
$75,000OPERATING EXPENSES
MOST PURE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL
$50,000CAFETERIA RENOVATION AND MODERNIZATION
BAYSHORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$50,000FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS PHASE 3
MOBILE MUSEUM OF ART
$40,00060TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
COMMUNITY OF MOBILE INC
$31,500UNDERPASS PROJECT
MULHERIN CUSTODIAL HOME
$30,000BUILDING UPGRADE
MOBILE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$30,000EDUCATION PROGRAMS
BOEHM GALLERY WINDOW RESTORATION PROJECT
FIRST LIGHT COMMUNITY OF MOBILE
$25,000RENOVATIONS FOR A NEW HOME
ST LUKE'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
$25,000FENCING AND CAMERAS
NEST CORPORATION
$25,000LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM
VIA HEALTH FITNESS & ENRICHMENT CENTER
$25,000GYMNASIUM ROOF REPLACEMENT
COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSN
$20,000SIDEWALK PROJECT
DAUPHIN ISLAND SEA LAB FOUNDATION
$20,000PASSENGER VAN
JACKSON ACADEMY
$17,500GYMNASIUM RENOVATION
PERDUE HILL - CLAIBORNE FOUNDATION
$15,611EXTERIOR REPAIRS AND RESTORATION
KINGDOM RENOVATION FOUNDATION
$15,000OPERATION RAMP UP
CASA MOBILE INC
$15,000VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING
MONROE COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
$15,000PIONEER DAYS AND A DAY IN OLD MONROEVILLE
REBUILDING TOGETHER OF SOUTH ALABAMA
$15,000ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORTS - CLARKE AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES
SALVATION ARMY
$12,500DAUPHIN WAY LODGE RECOVERY PROGRAM
ORCHARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$12,000READING YOUR WAY INTO THE FUTURE - BOOKS
MOBILE AREA COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$10,000OPERATING EXPENSES
RANSOM MINISTRIES
$10,000MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR RANSOM TRAINEES
FRIENDS OF THE SWIFT-COLE HISTORIC HOUSE
$10,000PAVILLION PROJECT
FOSTERING TOGETHER GULF COAST
$10,000FOSTER CARE RESOUCE CENTER
FUSE PROJECT
$10,000AVENUE BRIDGE COLLABORATION
MOBILE BALLET
$10,000DISCOVER DANCE PROGRAM 2024-2025
WILMER HALL
$10,000TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM
RAPAHOPE CHILDRENS RETREAT FOUNDATION
$10,000SIBLING PROGRAM
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$10,000ENHANCING CARDIAC EMERGENCY RESPONSE
COFFEEVILLE ONE COMMUNITY
$10,000RENOVATION PROJECT
SHOULDER OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST INC
$10,000EMPOWERMENT ESSENTIALS
MOBILE ARTS COUNCIL
$10,000AMP UP ARTS
BIG FISH MINISTRIES
$10,000MEN'S DORM RENOVATION