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Emma Eccles Jones Foundation
The Emma Eccles Jones Foundation was established in 1972 in Salt Lake City, formalizing a philanthropic vehicle for one branch of the Eccles family — a...
Emma Eccles Jones Foundation
The Emma Eccles Jones Foundation was established in 1972 in Salt Lake City, formalizing a philanthropic vehicle for one branch of the Eccles family — a dominant name in intermountain banking, railroads, and sugar beets since the late 19th century. David Eccles Sr. built the original fortune through the Utah Construction Company and a network of banks that eventually became First Security Corporation. Spencer Eccles, a nephew of Federal Reserve Chairman Marriner Eccles, leads the foundation as chairman and trustee, with family grandnephew Frederick Lawson serving on the advisory committee. Grants flow predominantly to education, with the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University receiving the largest sustained commitment. Public record shows the foundation also funds human services, arts and culture, and healthcare initiatives, often alongside co-investor foundations within the broader Eccles network. The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation partnered on a $110 million gift to the University of Utah (per public record). The Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation co-invests in medical research and education funding. Investment assets include a corporate stock portfolio, government obligations, and the historic Huntsville Monastery property in Huntsville, Utah. The foundation maintains a buyout-oriented investment strategy across its endowment. Team size is not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates from Salt Lake City without additional offices. Professional network ties include membership in United Way of Salt Lake as a long-term donor and the Utah Farm Bureau as a strategic partner in the 'Miracle of Agriculture' initiative. The foundation has not publicly reported a significant operational event in the last 24 months. The foundation's structural differentiator lies in its intrafamily co-investment model. Rather than consolidating Eccles family philanthropy into a single entity, the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation operates in deliberate coordination with the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation and the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation — each retaining separate governance while jointly underwriting major gifts. This federated structure preserves the grantmaking autonomy of distinct family branches while amplifying collective impact across Utah's educational and cultural institutions.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1972
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Salt Lake City
Corporate office
Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Principals
Spencer Eccles
Chairman and Trustee
Frederick Lawson
Advisory Committee Member
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation?
The foundation does not publicly disclose its investment committee composition. Spencer Eccles serves as chairman and trustee, and the foundation employs a buyout-oriented investment strategy across an endowment that includes corporate stock, government obligations, and Utah land holdings.
How is the Emma Eccles Jones Foundation related to the other Eccles family foundations?
It is one of several independent Eccles family foundations in Utah. The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation and the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation are sibling entities with separate governance. They coordinate on major gifts — the foundations jointly contributed to a $110 million donation to the University of Utah (per public record) — but each maintains its own grantmaking priorities and board.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The fortune traces to David Eccles Sr., a Scottish immigrant who became one of Utah's most consequential industrialists. He built the Utah Construction Company, founded a network of banks that consolidated into First Security Corporation, and invested in railroads, sugar beets, and lumber. His descendants include Federal Reserve Chairman Marriner Eccles and continue to direct multiple philanthropic foundations.
What is the foundation's primary philanthropic focus?
Education dominates the grant portfolio, with the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State University as the flagship beneficiary. The foundation also commits meaningful funding to human services, arts and culture, and healthcare programs, primarily within Utah.
Does the foundation maintain a relationship with Utah State University beyond grants?
The foundation is listed as a business partner of Utah State University in public records, reflecting a relationship deeper than an arm's-length donor. The namesake college — the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services — is the institutional embodiment of that partnership.
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