New Schools for Alabama
New Schools for Alabama is a public charity based in Birmingham, Alabama. It supports the growth of public charter schools in Alabama through school development, technical assistance, community engagement, policy work, and grants.
New Schools for Alabama at a glance
In short: New Schools for Alabama gave $10.4M across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $649K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,376,156
- +106.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $648,510
- +119.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $505,876
- Total assets
- $18,929,845
- +131.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Alabama (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to New Schools for Alabama
- How to Apply
-
For the 2024 Charter Schools Program subgrant cycle, applicants were instructed to request an application. Eligible applicants received an application package, and applicants were directed to review the Request for Applications for eligibility guidelines. The application process for a new charter school depends on whether the applicant applies to a local district authorizer or the Alabama Public Charter School Commission. The website identifies educational program design and capacity, operations plan and capacity, and financial plan and management capacity as the three primary application sections.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 Charter Schools Program application deadline was July 31, 2024. That application cycle is past.
- Deadline
- The 2024 Charter Schools Program application deadline was July 31, 2024.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2017 Morris Ave 300, Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 573-8886
Website: https://newschoolsforalabama.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from New Schools for Alabama
Charter School Program (CSP) Grant
New Schools for Alabama
Amount
$1,000,000 - $1,500,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Credit Enhancement Grant (Facilities Access)
New Schools for Alabama
Amount
$10,550,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Parent Voice Fellowship
New Schools for Alabama
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who New Schools for Alabama funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Montgomery Education Fund ($2.9M). Together the top 10 received $9.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 19 grants of 71 (27%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s mission and programs focus on Alabama. In 2025, 92% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama and 8% went to recipients in Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
How New Schools for Alabama gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $920K (2020) to $10.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $10.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Education Fund Montgomery, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $2,851,300 |
| I Dream Big Academy Charter School Pike Road, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $1,088,833 |
| Woodlawn Community Charter School Birmingham, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $945,554 |
| Independence Schools of Alabama Tampa, FL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $812,979 |
| Freedom Preparatory Academy Montgomery, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $760,885 |
| University Charter School Livingston, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $625,472 |
| Maef Public Charter Schools Inc Mobile, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $622,188 |
| Lead Education Foundation Montgomery, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $547,844 |
| Floretta P Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy Mobile, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $463,908 |
| Legacy Schools Birmingham, AL | See Schedule I Supplemental Information | $448,716 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,929,845 | $15,284,360 | $14,396,451 | $10,376,156 | 16 | $196,653 |
| 2024 | $8,162,820 | $10,265,638 | $8,604,669 | $5,031,009 | 17 | $95,196 |
| 2023 | $5,404,006 | $8,181,256 | $8,466,716 | $5,230,088 | 17 | $28,616 |
| 2022 | $5,276,502 | $9,659,694 | $5,826,722 | $3,938,561 | 12 | $2 |
| 2021 | $1,601,582 | $4,974,961 | $4,793,668 | $3,822,222 | 9 | $-3,023 |
| 2020 | $671,010 | $2,021,184 | $2,019,713 | $919,775 | 3 | $-1,591 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to support the growth of excellent public charter schools in Alabama so every child can access a quality public education. Its website describes work in four areas: developing new schools and school leaders, providing technical assistance to applicants and operators, engaging parents and communities, and advancing policies that support high-quality charter schools.
The organization’s 2024 filing describes Charter Schools Program grants as supporting the development and operations of approved Alabama public charter schools. It also describes Quality Seats Fund grants as supporting grantees’ enrollment growth. The organization’s website lists funding opportunities including the School Founders Program, Quality Seats Fund, Teacher Quality Fund, Facilities Loan Fund, and Credit Enhancement.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. I Dream Big Academy Charter School says it works to strengthen students’ academic, career, and personal readiness through rigorous academics and real-world learning. University Charter School describes its purpose as operating a public charter school in Livingston, Alabama. MAEF Public Charter Schools says its Accel Day and Evening Academy uses personalized learning pathways to prepare students for college and careers.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, New Schools for Alabama reported 16 grants totaling $10,376,156. Grants ranged from $29,060 to $2,851,300, with a median grant of $505,876. The largest reported awards included $2,851,300 to Montgomery Education Fund, $1,088,833 to I Dream Big Academy Charter School, $945,554 to Woodlawn Community Charter School, $812,979 to Independence Schools of Alabama, and $760,885 to Freedom Preparatory Academy. The filing lists the purposes of these grants as “See Schedule I Supplemental Information.”
The organization’s website describes competitive grants for the growth of new, high-quality charter schools. It also describes a School Founders Program, a selective, full-time, full-stipend yearlong fellowship for aspiring charter school founders in Alabama; the fellowship provides training and launch support rather than a grant to an outside organization.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Carol W. Butler as chair; Maria Kennedy as treasurer; and Dave Borden, Khadijah Abdullah, Selena Dickerson, Dorsey Hopson, Susan Jackson, Tina Jones, and Brian Hamilton as directors. Jessica Jane Wedgeworth is listed as ex-officio.
New Schools for Alabama is led by Tyler Barnett, Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 7 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tyler Barnett
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2021
Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$147K (2020) → $206K (2025)
Carol W. Butler
Chair
Vice Chair → President, 2022
President → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jackie Bretl
Senior Director of Leader Support
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Brian Hamilton
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Jackson
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Borden
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Khadijah Abdullah
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dorsey Hopson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ken Upchurch
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Selena Dickerson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Jackson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tina Jones
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Yolanda Page
Director
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Candie A. Mitchell-Price
Chief Communications Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$74K (2022) → $100K (2025)
Jessica Jane Wedgeworth
Ex-Officio
Director → Ex-Officio, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$5K (2022) → $0 (2025)
Mike Brown
Chief School Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$100K (2022) → $108K (2025)
Natalie Tucker
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$37K (2022) → $116K (2025)
Russell Raney
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$12K (2022) → $177K (2025)
Anthony Oliver
Chief School Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$83K (2025)
Maria Kennedy
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Jan Miller (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Miho Kubagawa (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Nick Gaede (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Richard Perry (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Jeremiah Newell (2020–2022) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Emily P. Schultz (2020–2021) — Board Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $206K, to Tyler Barnett (Chief Executive Officer). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about New Schools for Alabama
How much does New Schools for Alabama give each year?
New Schools for Alabama gave $10.4M across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.0M across 17 grants.
What is New Schools for Alabama's typical grant size?
New Schools for Alabama's median grant in 2025 was $505,876, and its average grant was $648,510, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does New Schools for Alabama give grants?
New Schools for Alabama gives mostly in Alabama: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Montgomery, AL (3 grants), Birmingham, AL (3 grants) and Mobile, AL (3 grants).
Does New Schools for Alabama give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on New Schools for Alabama's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Schedule I Supplemental Information" (16 grants).
Who are New Schools for Alabama's largest grantees?
New Schools for Alabama's largest 2025 grantees include Montgomery Education Fund ($2,851,300), I Dream Big Academy Charter School ($1,088,833) and Woodlawn Community Charter School ($945,554), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is New Schools for Alabama?
New Schools for Alabama reported $18.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.3M.
What does New Schools for Alabama fund?
The organization’s mission is to support the growth of excellent public charter schools in Alabama so every child can access a quality public education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New Schools for Alabama?
For the 2024 Charter Schools Program subgrant cycle, applicants were instructed to request an application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is New Schools for Alabama's EIN?
New Schools for Alabama's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3827127. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New Schools for Alabama's focus areas in our free grants database
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Assets
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Grants
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). New Schools for Alabama funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/new-schools-for-alabama-morg_7512630d3656424b9562ca7ef41cdc32
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_463827127_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{New Schools for Alabama funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/new-schools-for-alabama-morg_7512630d3656424b9562ca7ef41cdc32},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from New Schools for Alabama's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
New Schools for Alabama down — hundreds of funders to go?