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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
**
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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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Blount County Education Foundation Inc ($630,000), I3 Academy ($562,000), New Schools for Alabama ($510,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BLOUNT COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC ONEONTA, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $630,000 |
| CORNERSTONE SCHOOL BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $189,529 |
| NEW SCHOOLS FOR ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $510,000 |
| TARRANT BOARD OF EDUCATION BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $154,200 |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| ALABAMA GIVING INC BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $800 |
| CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $167,322 |
| FOUNDATIONS EARLY LEARNING CENTER FAIRFIELD, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $77,000 |
| FREEDOM PREPARATORY ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC SCHOOL BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $61,494 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: approximately $2.5–$2.6 million • Total grants awarded (historical): $4.7 million across 34 grants • Number of grants annually: 12–26 grants per year • Median grant size: $152,000 • Average grant size: approximately $71,500 • Grant range: $800–$630,000 **Application Process:** Potential grantees should submit a letter with the following information: • A description of the organization **Contact for Applications:** • Susan Jackson • Phone: 205-879-6122 • Addr…
Where does Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation make 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.
What size grants does Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation award?
In 2024, Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $213K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation's EIN?
Max and Lorayne Cooper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-6828582. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Max and Lorayne Cooper 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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