Mission
The mission of the James M. Cox Foundation is to support nonprofits that are addressing the most pressing issues facing people in the communities where Cox does business. The Foundation concentrates its giving in four focus areas: biodiversity, conservation and environment; early childhood education; health; and empowering families and individuals for success.
The Foundation is governed by five trustees who review and approve grants.
- Jim Kennedy
- Barbara Harty
- Alex Taylor
- John Dyer
- Nancy Rigby
History and Founder
Our founder, Gov. James M. Cox, was born in 1870 in Jacksonburg, Ohio. From humble beginnings working on his family’s farm to becoming three-term governor of Ohio, Cox was committed to making a positive impact on his community.
In 1898, at the age of 26, he borrowed $26,000 from friends and family to purchase the Dayton Evening News (now the Dayton Daily News). Since then, Cox Enterprises has grown beyond its legacy in newspapers to include Cox Communications, Cox Automotive, and many other ventures.
Throughout his life, Gov. Cox modeled the values of helping others and doing the right thing. In 1957, his children established the James M. Cox Foundation to honor and continue his legacy of giving back, a mission that the Foundation carries forward through our nonprofit grants today.
Learn more about Governor Cox and the history of Cox Enterprises.
