Better Place Foundation is a private foundation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation is also known as The Ratliff Charitable Foundation and is located in Irondale, Alabama. It was established in May 1998 and operates as a grantmaking foundation supporting various charitable causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.9M
+8.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$883K
+2.3% YoY
Grant Count
52
+10.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-7.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Better Place Foundation reported a distributable amount of $737K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Better Place Foundation primarily funds programs in the following areas:
- Social assistance
- Educational programs
- Community support
- Social justice
- Health and social services
- Environmental initiatives
- Social and environmental awareness programs
Grantmaking
The foundation made 50 grants in 2024, with a total grant distribution of approximately $790,400. Recent grants include:
Ready to take the next step with Better Place Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily operates in Alabama, with a base in the Irondale area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $11,934,287
- Total Revenues: $1,909,958
- Total Expenses: $1,508,951
- Number of Employees: 0
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $11,000,000
- Total Revenues: $1,080,000
- Total Expenses: $1,250,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,934,287 | $11,019,181 | $11,281,878 |
| Revenue | $1,909,958 | $1,075,075 | $-1,899,794 |
| Expenses | $1,508,951 | $1,253,514 | $1,518,213 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $923,759 | $904,724 | $795,047 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,325,580 | $775,403 | — |
| Distributable Amount | $737,243 | $746,698 | $816,456 |
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
244 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Alaquest Collaborative for Education ($70,000), Gideons Army Grassroots Army for Children ($64,000), Cahaba River Society ($62,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALAQUEST COLLABORATIVE FOR EDUCATION BIRMINGHAM, AL | EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE | $70,000 |
| BERKSHIRE HILLS MUSIC ACADEMY INC SOUTH HADLEY, MA | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BUILDING PEACE INC LAWRENCE, KS | SOCIAL ASSISTANCE | $2,500 |
| CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY BIRMINGHAM, AL | ENVIRONMENTAL | $62,500 |
| CITY PARKS FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CITYLAX INC NEW YORK, NY | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES INC FAIRHOPE, AL | SOCIAL ASSISTANCE | $20,000 |
| EKVNV YEFOLECVLKE WEOGUFKA, AL | SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL | $20,000 |
| EMBRACE ALABAMA KIDS MONTGOMERY, AL | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| FPC ACTION FOUNDATION LAS VEGAS, NV | SOCIAL JUSTICE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM T RATLIFF III | PRES/TREAS/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CARL A LESSMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Better Place Foundation fund?
Better Place Foundation primarily funds programs in the following areas: • Social assistance • Educational programs • Community support • Social justice • Health and social services • Environmental initiatives • Social and environmental awareness programs
How do I apply for a grant from Better Place Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024)** The foundation made 50 grants in 2024, with a total grant distribution of approximately $790,400. Recent grants include: | Grantee | Focus Area | Amount | |---------|-----------|--------| | Alaquest Collaborative for Education | Educational Assistance | $70,000 | | Gideons Army Grassroots Army for Children | Social Assistance | $64,000 | | Cahaba River Society | Environmental | $62,500 | The foundation also supported Higher Purpose Inc. in recent grantmaking activities.
Where does Better Place Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily operates in Alabama, with a base in the Irondale area.
What size grants does Better Place Foundation award?
In 2024, Better Place Foundation awarded 52 grants totaling $883K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Better Place Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Better Place Foundation reported a distributable amount of $737K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Better Place Foundation's EIN?
Better Place Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1198327. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Better Place Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Foundation of Marshall Medical
GUNTERSVILLE, AL
Assets
$2.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$225K
Gamma Theta Educational Foundation Inc
TUSCALOOSA, AL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Starfish Project
HOOVER, AL
Assets
$2K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Michael Nix Arts Scholarship a Non Profit Corp
LEXINGTON, AL
Assets
$461
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Raquib Family Waqf Foundation
BIRMINGHAM, AL
Assets
$759K
Grants
1
Total Given
$86K
A Hays Zieman & Christine B Zieman
MOBILE, AL
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
10
Total Given
$40K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Better Place Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Better Place Foundation to a real strategy.