The Robert A & Shirley J Jones
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a wide range of charitable causes. Its mission focuses on alleviating poverty and homelessness, promoting health and education, and fostering community development. The foundation provides funding for initiatives such as food banks, homeless shelters, refugee assistance, and health-related research. It also supports the arts and environmental conservation efforts. Through its diverse grantmaking, the foundation aims to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations and enhance community well-being.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small to mid-sized community nonprofits (especially food banks, homeless services, local child/family services, regional arts organizations) with program delivery in Illinois or Michigan or a demonstrable local partnership and a need consistent with modest one‑time grants.
Good Fit
- • Direct-service mission in hunger relief, homelessness, child welfare, refugee support, or regional arts and culture.
- • Organizational presence or partnerships in Illinois or Michigan.
- • Capacity to manage grants in the typical range shown (many grants between $500 and $20,000; median around $3,000).
- • A known introduction or relationship with a trustee, board member, or an existing grantee.
Geography
Observed grants span six states but are regionally concentrated: roughly half of grant dollars go to Illinois and a large share to Michigan, indicating state/regional rather than national reach.
Recipient Variety
Across three years the foundation funded many distinct independent recipients (33 in 2021, 28 in 2022, 24 in 2023), showing a broad and varied recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Although many new recipients appear in the observed years (12 new in 2023), the foundation explicitly declares it funds only preselected recipients and provides no public application route; this combination suggests unfamiliar applicants without introductions are unlikely to gain entry.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
