Alpha Foundation Inc. is a private family foundation based in Huntsville, Alabama. Established in 1997 by entrepreneur Lonnie S. McMillian, co-founder of ADTRAN and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on advancing scientific innovation and community development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$47.1M
+2.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
+11.2% YoY
Grant Count
49
+36.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$59K
-18.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Alpha Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is "improving the human condition through grants to educational, scientific, and charitable organizations."
Primary funding priorities include:
- Education and higher education
- Biotechnology research, particularly for disease discovery and cure
- Youth development
- Human services
- Scientific research and innovation
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$4,950 to $964,000
Average Grant
approximately $72,000
Review Cycle
with single application deadline: October 1
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus: Madison County, Alabama
Secondary consideration: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and other southeastern states
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024)
- Total assets: $47,111,906
- Total revenue: $4,126,948
- Total expenses: $3,368,890
- Net income: $758,058
- Total liabilities: $491,000
Investment Income (2024)
- Investment income and dividends: $1,232,193
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $2,790,247
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $47,111,906 | $45,897,947 | $45,764,106 |
| Revenue | $4,126,948 | $2,961,613 | $3,438,134 |
| Expenses | $3,368,890 | $2,945,174 | $3,137,202 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,898,605 | $2,607,010 | $2,765,897 |
| Net Investment Income | $902,587 | $1,134,045 | $787,085 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,786,732 | $2,553,978 | $2,579,109 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
180 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Alpha Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hudson-alpha Foundation ($600,000), Lincoln Village Ministry ($220,000), Wellstone Inc ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION MT PLEASANT, SC | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| BIG OAK RANCH SPRINGVILLE, AL | CHARITABLE | $50,000 |
| BLUE ATLAS PROJECT BLANCHESTER, OH | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF N AL HUNTSVILLE, AL | CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
| BURRITT ON THE MOUNTAIN HUNTSVILLE, AL | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| CHADASHA FOUNDATION KNOXVILLE, TN | CHARITABLE | $100,000 |
| CLINICA MEDICA MOSCATI HUNTSVILLE, AL | CHARITABLE | $30,000 |
| COMMITTEE ON CHURCH COOPERATION DECATUR, AL | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY FREE CLINIC HUNTSVILLE, AL | CHARITABLE | $20,000 |
| COMMUNITY FREE DENTAL CLINIC HUNTSVILLE, AL | CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Officers (2023)
- Robert Key – President
- John Wynn – Secretary
- Glynda Cavalcanti – Treasurer
- Helen W. McMillian – Director
- Barbara M. Fisk – Director
- Emily M. Robertson – Director
- Susan Campbell – Director
- Lonnie Key – Director
- Kelly Hamlin – Director
- Owen Whitehead – Director
The foundation is led by Robert Key, grandson of founder Lonnie S. McMillian, who assumed the presidency following McMillian's death in 2018.
Staff
- 2 employees (as of 2024)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN WYNN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| HELEN W MCMILLIAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BARBARA M FISK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EMILY M ROBERTSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSAN CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT KEY | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| GLYNDA CAVALCANTI | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LONNIE KEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KELLY HAMLIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| OWEN WHITEHEAD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 303 Williams Ave SW Ste 129, Huntsville, AL 35801-6001
- Mailing: P.O. Box 2087, Huntsville, AL 35804
- Phone: (256) 837-4989 or (256) 713-2277
- Email: info@alphafoundationhsv.org
- Website: www.alphafoundationhsv.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Alpha Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is "improving the human condition through grants to educational, scientific, and charitable organizations." Primary funding priorities include: • Education and higher education • Biotechnology research, particularly for disease discovery and cure • Youth development • Human services • Scientific research and innovation
How do I apply for a grant from Alpha Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Total distributions: $2,898,605 • Number of grants: 24 awards made • Grant range: $4,950 to $964,000 • Average grant size: approximately $72,000 • Median grant size: $50,000 **Application Process** • Annual grant cycle with single application deadline: October 1 • Decision timeline: Approximately 6-8 weeks after annual meeting (late November) • Grant inquiries contact: Meagan Owens at (256) 227-6370 or mowens@alphafoundationhsv.org **Recent Grant Examples (2024)** • …
Where does Alpha Foundation make grants?
Primary focus: Madison County, Alabama Secondary consideration: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and other southeastern states
What size grants does Alpha Foundation award?
In 2024, Alpha Foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $2.9M — an average of about $59K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Alpha Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Alpha Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Alpha Foundation's EIN?
Alpha Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1188643. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Alpha Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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