At Foulkeways at Gwynedd our commitment to Research and Education began in 1984, when Foulkeways resident William 'Bill’ Russell bequeathed $250,000 to Foulkeways in honor of his first wife’s father, Frank Morgan Jones.  According to his instructions, this permanent endowment fund was to be used exclusively to support the advancement of gerontological research that would contribute to the health and well being of older people.    

The Frank Morgan Jones Fund, as this endowment was later named, was originally administered from Foulkeways by Geraldine Paier, Nurse Practitioner at Foulkeways, and a  committee of six persons, comprised of Foulkeways Board Members and members and friends of the Russell family.   During these early years qualified researchers would submit proposals for research projects to the committee for review.  However, in 1989, the School of Nursing at the University Of Pennsylvania entered into an agreement with Foulkeways to receive an annual contribution from The Fund, making it possible for nurse researchers to conduct studies in keeping with Mr. Russell’s wishes.