Joseph Loran Carley was born in 1902 in Thornton, Texas, to share-cropping parents. At 14 he left home to work for the railroad as a telegrapher and by 1928 he was working for the Associated Press on Wall Street. Always interested in new technology, Joseph Carley became sales manager for Vari-Typer, Inc, a forerunner of the word processor. In 1952, he founded Duralith (durable lithography)  - a company that was to become a pioneer in the printing, plastics and lamination industry, serving companies like IBM and RCA, as well as the US military. In 1969, Duralith relocated to Millville, New Jersey, where it thrived.

After the sale of Duralith Corporation  in 1985, the Joseph L Carley Foundation was created  with the intention of giving back to the community that had supported the Duralith's success. Joseph and Marie Carley's philanthropic vision included direct human service grants, including funding for wheel chair ramps, support for organizations that fight homelessness and hunger as well as for those that provide health and utility assistance for low-income citizens.

After Joseph Carley's death in 1996, his daughters Jacalyn Carley, Joni Carley and Jan Carley Randle joined the board. While the foundation still concentrates on social services, it now funds projects geared toward social change and has thus expanded its mission to include educational programs, scholarships, and limited arts grants.

Moreover, by collaborating with other groups and individuals dedicated to overall community improvement, JLCF board members offer support, leadership, and guidance in developing far-reaching philanthropic strategies.