Jessie Ball duPont Religious, Charitable and Educational Fund

Overview

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund is a charitable foundation dedicated to perpetuating the philanthropic legacy of Jessie Ball duPont, the widow of industrialist Alfred I. duPont. Established after her death in 1970, the foundation continues to support organizations that received support from Jessie Ball duPont between 1960 and 1964.

History

Jessie Ball duPont was a prominent philanthropist known for her generosity across various sectors, including education, religion, and social welfare. Before her marriage to Alfred I. duPont in 1921, she had already begun awarding college scholarships to needy students with her savings. After Alfred's death in 1935, Jessie continued her philanthropic work, expanding her reach to hundreds of churches, schools, and charitable institutions, primarily in the southeastern United States.

Upon Jessie Ball duPont's passing, a significant portion of her estate was converted into the Jessie Ball duPont Religious, Charitable and Educational Fund. However, it took more than six years for her estate to be settled. The fund was granted tax-exempt status in April 1973, and the first trustees' meeting occurred in January 1977. Initial trustees included her brother Edward Ball, William Mills, Rev. "Sandy" Juhan, and Irvin Golden.

Programs and Activities

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund focuses on multiple areas:

• Equity and Education: It invests in educational institutions to improve retention and graduation rates among low-income and first-generation students. The fund also aims to increase diversity at faculty and board levels in supported institutions.
• Placemaking: The organization works on building stronger communities by fostering inclusivity and leadership development, especially in low-income neighborhoods. Notable projects include providing office spaces for nonprofits and developing public spaces like the Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park in Jacksonville, Florida.
• Impact Investing: The fund engages in strategic investments in affordable housing and businesses led by women and people of color.

Notable Initiatives

The Jessie Ball duPont Fund has been involved in significant initiatives such as supporting historically Black colleges and universities, advocating for the removal of the Confederate statue in Springfield Park, and funding institutions recognized as "Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Centers."

Controversies

Although Jessie Ball duPont herself supported segregation historically, directing her educational grants towards segregated schools and ending support for some desegregated institutions post-Brown v. Board of Education, the modern fund has acknowledged and sought to rectify this past by focusing on equity and diversity in its current grantmaking practices.

Governance and Finances

As of recent updates, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund operates under the leadership of President Mari Kuraishi and chair Anna Escobedo Cabral. The organization has a diversified board and invests a significant portion of its assets, valued at over $375 million, in impact-driven initiatives.

Tax-Exempt Status

The organization is designated as a 501(c)(3) entity for religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, and similar purposes, making donations to it tax-deductible.