Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation
The Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Birmingham, Alabama. Established in March 2013, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving. The foundation is named after Max Cooper, a Birmingham philanthropist who worked for McDonald's for over 55 years and co-founded the fifth Ronald McDonald House globally. Max Cooper enabled both Birmingham Ronald McDonald Houses to open debt-free—the first to achieve this distinction within the global organization.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.5M
-4.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
+37.5% YoY
Grant Count
12
-53.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$213K
+197.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not provided a formal mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking activity, the foundation supports organizations in the following areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
- Human services
- Science and STEM education
Grantmaking
Potential grantees should submit a letter with the following information:
Grant Range
$152,000
Average Grant
approximately $71,500
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While based in Alabama, the foundation funds nationally across multiple states. Primary funding regions include:
- Alabama
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Illinois
The foundation has supported organizations across seven states, with Alabama, New York, and Illinois accounting for approximately 74% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations in major cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total assets: $25.5 million
- Total revenue: $1.74 million
- Total expenses: $2.91 million
- Total liabilities: $3,010
- Total giving: $2,557,345
Historical Asset Growth:
- 2012: $100
- 2023: $26.7 million
IRS Status:
- Tax-exempt since March 2013
- EIN: 54-6828582
- Designated as 501(c)(3)
- Contributions are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,526,362 | $26,690,829 | $27,959,608 |
| Revenue | $1,739,164 | $967,199 | $1,048,994 |
| Expenses | $2,913,089 | $2,235,936 | $2,476,822 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,624,015 | $1,926,497 | $2,165,602 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,566,948 | $808,141 | $870,522 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,606,764 | $1,491,425 | $1,579,320 |
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
62 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Staff:
- Martin Solomon, Trustee (4 hours/week, $50,000 compensation)
- Samuel A DiPiazza Jr., Trustee (4 hours/week, $50,000 compensation)
- Susan Jackson, Contact person
The foundation operates with limited staffing based on reported board members and key employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTIN SOLOMON | TRUSTEE | 4 | $50,000 |
| SAMUEL A DIPIAZZA JR | TRUSTEE | 4 | $50,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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 April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Max and Lorayne Cooper 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