A Family Foundation
Established by Bess Spiva Timmons in 1967.
Regrettably, The Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation will not make any grants this year. The foundation is undergoing significant change and reorganization that requires us to defer all grant applications for 2024. We will make every effort to inform you of what our future looks like in 2025 as that process unfolds.
Bess Spiva Timmons
1901-1987
A LIFETIME OF CARING
In 1967, Mrs. Timmons established the Bess Spiva Timmons Foundation to enable her children and future generations to carry on an already existing program of assistance in areas of education, health, medical research, the arts, programs with minority focus, social services and ecology. Smaller and grass roots organizations were particularly targeted, as she stated that these could use the funds more frugally, and truly needed and appreciated encouragement.
Her life was filled with thoughtfulness and charity, often given anonymously. In her book “Yesterday,” written for her family to recall their legacy, she states that it was “a major blessing to grow up with the certain knowledge that ‘Man is the maker of himself,’ people are more important than possessions and a sense of humor is the salt of life.”
She passed away on June 15, 1987 at the age of 86, leaving a legacy that is a major blessing for her family and others for generations to come.
Our Philosophy
Education
Health & Medical
Social Services
Arts & Ecology
The Foundation was established by Mrs. Timmons to enable her family to carry on an already existing program of assistance in the areas of education, health, medical research, the arts, and programs with emphasis to benefit minority groups, social services, and ecology. Consideration is also given to experimental ventures in these designated areas. Smaller tax-exempt organizations, which have limited financial assistance, are favored for grants.
“We have each been given a bag of tools,
A formless rock and a book of rules
And each must make, ere life has flown,
A stumbling block or a stepping stone.”
-Author unknown