You are here:
NODE > 221 > VIEW

J.A. & KATHRYN ALBERTSON FOUNDATION

J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation

Contact information:

P.O. Box 70002 (501 Baybrook Court)
Boise, Idaho 83707-0102
Phone: 208-424-2600

Website: http://www.jkaf.org/ 

Type of foundation: Independent

Types of grants: Program, operating.

Description: Joe Albertson was a grocery magnate. The Foundation focuses specifically on improving education in Idaho from kindergarten through college. Reading, teacher quality, early childhood education and system-wide quality improvement are among the areas targeted by previous initiatives over the past decade. The Foundation is currently focusing on three strategic initiatives:

  • Educational Choice: raising awareness about educational choice and supporting charter school options.
  • Post-Secondary Success: improving Idaho's national ranking in college participation, including raising awareness about the importance of higher education.
  • Data for Stakeholders: collecting, disseminating and analyzing educational data and information, including delivering a high-speed education network to schools and libraries statewide.

The Foundation has made a significant commitment to improving access to affordable, high-quality community college education (see grant below to College of Western Idaho).

The Foundation makes some grants to other community institutions at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This is largely a carry-over from the Foundation's earlier giving patterns, before it narrowed its focus to education.

Sample grants:

  • $10,000,000 to College of Western Idaho for start-up funding (pledged 2007).
  • $20,000 to Idaho Public Television (Community Grant, 2006).
  • $10,000 to Idaho Public Television (Community Grant, 2008).

Fit for public broadcasting: Support for public broadcasting comes out of the Foundation's Community Grants program, which appears to account for roughly 20-25 percent of overall giving. Additional funding may potentially be available for public media projects that are focused on educational reporting and disseminating information about education and educational policy.

Eligibility: The Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited applications. It does periodically invite proposals. The Foundation makes grants primarily to organizations that operate in the state of Idaho that are classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as public charities under section 509(a) of that code. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals or to for-profit organizations.

The Foundation does not fund projects outside the state of Idaho, projects not focused on education, scholarships or grants to individuals, or projects that replace federal, state, or local funding responsibilities, including public school facilities.

Deadline: None.

How to apply: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. It is apparently acceptable to send a one to three page letter of inquiry to present a project idea. From time to time, the Foundation issues Requests for Proposals.

Giving range: Grant sizes vary, but all education grants are $25,000 or above. Community grants range from $2,500 – $500,000.

Assets: $406,082,798 (2008)

Total giving: $20,459,596 (2008)

View 2007 Annual Report.