Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation

Mission

The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation was established in 1985 as a private foundation to honor its founders, Mr. and Mrs. Adams. The foundation provides grants to charitable organizations primarily to benefit arts, culture, humanities, and education in the Memphis, Miami, and New York City areas.

Annual application deadlines

February 15, 2025 for review at a Spring 2025 meeting.

Contact information

Mailing address:
Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation
Wells Fargo Wealth Management
Attn: Grant Administration
MAC D4001-052
100 North Main Street, 5th Floor
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Email: grantadministration@wellsfargo.com

Program areas

Arts, culture, and humanities
Education

Program limitations

The Foundation only considers requests for project sponsorships. The Foundation does not accept requests for general operating, capital campaigns or endowment support. The Foundation does invite proposals for innovative programs, performances, publications, etc. specifically in the areas of the arts, music, culture and education. All specific programs, performances, publications, etc. must be scheduled to commence 12 months or more from the proposal submission deadline of February 15, 2025 (i.e., commencing after February 15, 2026). Any Grantee receiving a distribution of funds from the Foundation must wait a minimum of one year before applying for a new grant (for example: if a Grantee receives a grant payment from the Foundation in 2024, then the grantee cannot apply for a new grant until 2026). This is regardless of whether the distribution is made within the same fiscal year as the proposal was granted or from a previous application.  While not specifically prohibited, multi-year grants are discouraged and less likely to be approved. Further, with limited exception, grant requests over $50,000 will not be approved.

States served

Florida
New York
Tennessee

Geographic limitations

There are no geographic limitations; however, the foundation has a practice of primarily supporting organizations located in Memphis, Miami, or New York City areas.

Requirements

• To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Limitations

• The Foundation only considers requests for project sponsorships. The Foundation does not accept funding requests for general operating, capital campaigns, or endowment support. The Foundation does invite proposals for innovative programs, performances, publications, etc. specifically in the areas of the arts, music, culture and education.
• All specific programs, performances, publications, etc. must be scheduled to commence 12 months or more from the proposal submission deadline of February 15, 2025 (i.e., commencing after February 15, 2026).
• Any Grantee receiving a distribution of funds from the Foundation must wait a minimum of one year before applying for a new grant (for example: if a Grantee receives a grant payment from the Foundation in 2024, then the grantee cannot apply for a new grant until 2026). This is regardless of whether the distribution is made within the same fiscal year as the proposal was granted or from a previous application.
• While not specifically prohibited, multi-year grants are discouraged and less likely to be approved. Further, with limited exception, grant requests over $50,000 will not be approved.

Grantmaking priorities

The foundation assists with funding of specific projects.

Annual application period and deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round. Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2025 to be reviewed at the annual grant meeting that occurs in the Spring 2025.

Communications

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming their submission.

Required agreements and reports

Except as otherwise specified when a grant is awarded, a progress report must be submitted within six months after receiving funds.

About the Foundation

The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation was established in 1985 by Mrs. Adams out of her desire to support various charitable initiatives.

Arthur Adams was a business entrepreneur who managed the Gary Group of telephone interests in the Midwest. Under his leadership as president and CEO, the Strowger Automatic Electric Company of Chicago developed and patented the dial telephone.

Alice (“Elise”) Adams was born in Istanbul, Turkey. Her family relocated to Egypt during her childhood, and she spent much of her time in private school in Switzerland. She became proficient in the use of foreign languages and eventually mastered eleven of them.

In the late 1930s, Arthur met and married Elise. They maintained several homes and eventually settled in Miami Beach, Florida. Following Arthur's death in 1958, Elise spent much of her time supporting philanthropic causes until she passed away in 1987.