Benjamin & Roberta Russell
The Benjamin & Roberta Russell Educational & Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Alexander City, Alabama. Incorporated in 1944, the foundation has been tax-exempt since August 1945. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on educational, charitable, and philanthropic activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.0M
-1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$864K
+7.1% YoY
Grant Count
30
-11.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+21.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Benjamin & Roberta Russell reported a distributable amount of $843K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is giving for higher and public education, youth programs, and hospital support. Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Animal welfare and rescue
Grantmaking
The foundation made 31 grants in 2023, with total giving of $863,858 in 2024. Typical grant awards range from $1,500 to $175,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Alabama and Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $14,030,994
- Total Giving: $863,858
- Total Expenses: $970,000
- Total Revenue: $745,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $14,255,548
- Total Expenses: $910,320
- Total Revenue: $280,701
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,030,994 | $14,255,548 | $14,885,167 |
| Revenue | $745,396 | $280,701 | $400,836 |
| Expenses | $969,950 | $910,320 | $958,572 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $863,858 | $806,500 | $825,550 |
| Net Investment Income | $658,156 | $379,428 | $307,646 |
| Distributable Amount | $843,429 | $789,865 | $820,882 |
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
158 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Russell Hospital Foundation Inc ($175,000), Alexander City Board of Education ($162,858), Auburn University ($111,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALEXANDER CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $162,858 |
| ALEXANDER CITY MEALS ON WHEELS ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| ARISE INC ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $40,000 |
| BACKPACK BUDDIES INC ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
| BENJAMIN RUSSELL HIGH SCHOOL ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $31,000 |
| CAMP ASSCA JACKSONS GAP, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $15,000 |
| CHILDRENS HARBOR INC ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $110,000 |
| COOSA COUNTY DEPT OF HUMAN RESOURCE ROCKFORD, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $5,000 |
| JIM PEARSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $3,000 |
| LAKE MARTIN HUMANE SOCIETY ALEXANDER CITY, AL | CONTRIBUTION | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Benjamin Russell (Trustee)
- Adelia R Hendrix (Treasurer)
- Julia Goree (Trustee)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BENJAMIN HENDRIX | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ADELIA R HENDRIX | TREASURER | — | — |
| JULIA GOREE | SECRETARY | — | — |
| EARL C BAUMGARDNER | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| EC GWALTNEY III | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 369, Alexander City, AL 35011-0369
- Telephone: 334-332-6213
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Benjamin & Roberta Russell fund?
The foundation's stated purpose is giving for higher and public education, youth programs, and hospital support. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Animal welfare and rescue
How do I apply for a grant from Benjamin & Roberta Russell?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 31 grants in 2023, with total giving of $863,858 in 2024. Typical grant awards range from $1,500 to $175,000. **Recent Grants (2023):** • Russell Hospital Foundation: $157,000 • Area Referral and Information Service for the Elderly: $40,000 • Lake Martin Humane Society: $13,500 • Main Street Alexander City: $7,500 • Psi Chi - Auburn University at Montgomery: $3,000
Where does Benjamin & Roberta Russell make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Alabama and Oklahoma.
What size grants does Benjamin & Roberta Russell award?
In 2024, Benjamin & Roberta Russell awarded 30 grants totaling $864K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Benjamin & Roberta Russell required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Benjamin & Roberta Russell reported a distributable amount of $843K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Benjamin & Roberta Russell's EIN?
Benjamin & Roberta Russell's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-0393126. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Benjamin & Roberta Russell'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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