Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation
The Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation is a private foundation based in Mobile, Alabama. Its 2020 filing shows grants to charitable organizations in Alabama, including Catholic churches and organizations involved in education, community activities, legal-system support, and cemetery preservation. The most recent filing on record is for 2020, with nothing filed since; the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation at a glance
In short: Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation gave $52K across 11 grants in 2020 (avg $5K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990 filing.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $51,650
- Grants made (2020)
- 11
- Average grant
- $4,695
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $4,547,140
- Primary geography
- Alabama (100% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1751 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36604
Phone: (251) 202-5529
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was St Ignatius Catholic Church ($26K). Together the top 10 received $52K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 11 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2020 went to recipients in Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 11 grants totaling $52K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Ignatius Catholic Church Mobile, AL | SupportCatholicParish | $26,000 |
| St Michael Catholic Church Fairhope, AL | Support ofCatholicHigh School | $15,100 |
| St Mary's Home Mobile, AL | SupportChildren'sHome | $3,000 |
| Mobile Carnival Association Mobile, AL | Support LocalMardi GrasOrganization | $3,000 |
| Christ the King Daphne, AL | SupportCatholicParish | $2,550 |
| Mobile Bar Foundation Mobile, AL | PromoteLegalSystem | $500 |
| Lifeteen Mobile, AL | Support ofCatholicYouth Ministry | $500 |
| Sacred Heart Retreat Mobile, AL | Support LocalCatholic SpiritualityCenter | $500 |
| Cathederal of Immaculate Conception Mobile, AL | Support LocalCatholic Church | $300 |
| Alabama Forestry Commission Montgomery, AL | Support LocalForestry | $165 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $4,547,140 | $496,837 | $406,252 | $51,650 | 11 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2020 grants included support for Catholic parishes, a Catholic high school, a children’s home, a local Mardi Gras organization, a Catholic youth ministry, a spiritual retreat center, forestry, and a historic cemetery.
Among the grantees, Mobile Carnival Association describes its mission as promoting education, civic advancement, and enjoyment in Mobile through Mardi Gras and its traditions. Mobile Bar Foundation says it supports programs to improve the legal system and better the legal profession and local community. Friends of Magnolia Cemetery describes its work as cemetery maintenance, restoration, and improvements.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation gave 11 grants totaling $51,650. Grants ranged from $35 to $26,000, with a median of $500. Its largest grants were $26,000 to St Ignatius Catholic Church in Mobile, $15,100 to St Michael Catholic Church in Fairhope, and $3,000 each to St Mary’s Home and Mobile Carnival Association, both in Mobile.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing lists J Michael Druhan Jr as trustee and J M Druhan III as asset manager.
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's 2020 filing lists 2 officers; all 2 officers listed in 2020 are compensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
J Michael Druhan Jr.
Trustee
New on the 2020 filing
15 hrs/week
$89K (2020)
J M Druhan III
Asset Manager
New on the 2020 filing
8 hrs/week
$43K (2020)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $89K, to J Michael Druhan Jr (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation
How much does Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation give each year?
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation gave $52K across 11 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990 filing.
What is Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's typical grant size?
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $500, and its average grant was $4,695, across 11 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990 filing.
Where does Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation give grants?
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Mobile, AL (8 grants).
Does Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2020: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's 2020 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support.
Who are Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's largest grantees?
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include St Ignatius Catholic Church ($26,000), St Michael Catholic Church ($15,100) and St Mary's Home ($3,000), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 85% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
How large is Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation?
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2020 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $497K.
What does Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2020 grants included support for Catholic parishes, a Catholic high school, a children’s home, a local Mardi Gras organization, a Catholic youth ministry, a spiritual retreat center, forestry, and a historic cemetery. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's EIN?
Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4163832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Does Joseph E and Caroline B Vella Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
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