The J. L. Bedsole Foundation is a private foundation established in 1949 by J. L. Bedsole and fully funded after his death in 1975.
Grants are made solely to qualifying organizations and not to individuals. The Foundation does not ordinarily fund endowments or make serial pledges or grants, and does not consider funding organizations, programs or projects outside of the following five counties in southwest Alabama: Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washington Counties.
The Trust is organized and operated as an exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a private foundation under Section 509 (a) of such code.
By the terms of the Trust Agreement under which the Foundation was created, the Distribution Committee is given broad authority to make grants for “such public, charitable, scientific or educational uses or purposes” as it may select.
The Committee is admonished also to consider grants for the uses and purposes that include the following:
- In aid to hospitals, schools, universities, colleges and research institutions.
- In aid or support of welfare agencies, such as orphanages and institutions for the care of the aged, the crippled, the blind, the sick or the needy.
- In the aid or support of health institutions, boys’ and girls’ health camps, playgrounds, and other human beneficent agencies and institutions.
- For the advancement of human knowledge and the alleviation of human suffering.
It is the determination of the Distribution Committee that the continuing health, welfare and prosperity of the citizens of southwest Alabama are best assured by first, providing post-secondary educational options for our worthy youth and, second, by supporting expanded civic, cultural, artistic and economic development opportunities for all citizens of our area.
The Foundation’s primary interests incorporate The J. L. Bedsole Scholars Program, which was created expressly to meet the needs of above average students with leadership potential who demonstrate financial need. The Martin Luther King Re-Development Corporation and the Centre for the Living Arts are also components of The J.L. Bedsole Foundation. More limited support is given to the social services, health services and other civic and economic development programs.
