Ray Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Tuscaloosa, AL EIN: 20-1209964
Arts and cultureMuseumsEducationHigher education

Ray Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Tuscaloosa, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $260K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $17K. Net investment income was $12K.

Key facts about Ray Foundation

In short: Ray Foundation gave $17K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
20-1209964
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$16,500
Grants made (2024)
5
Average grant
$3,300
Median grant
$3,500
Total assets
$260,398
Primary geography
Alabama (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$260K

+0.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$17K

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

5

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

+0.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ray Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Ray Foundation gives

  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−8%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 189% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Ray Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

States

Cities

TuscaloosaHooverNorthport

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$5K$10K$15K$20K0 grants2020 3 grants2021 4 grants2022 5 grants2023 5 grants2024

From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16K (2022) to $18K (2021). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $17K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Jesus Way Homeless Shelter: $6KJesus Way Homeless Shelter$6KCaring Days: $4KCaring Days$4KSdes: $4KSdes$4KCommunity Foundation of West Alabam: $3KCommunity Foundation of WestAlabam$3KTuscaloosa Public Library Foundatio: $1KTuscaloosa Public LibraryFoundatio$1K

The largest 2024 recipient was Jesus Way Homeless Shelter ($6K). Together the top 5 received $17K.

Grant Size Distribution

17 grants across all recorded years

17<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 17 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jesus Way Homeless Shelter Tuscaloosa, ALTo Support the Shelter's Mission$6,000
Caring Days Tuscaloosa, ALTo Support the Organization$3,500
Sdes Hoover, ALTo Support the Organization$3,500
Community Foundation of West Alabam Northport, ALTo Support Mission$2,500
Tuscaloosa Public Library Foundatio Tuscaloosa, ALTo Support Mission$1,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$25K$50K$75K$100K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$260,398$260,119$268,239
Revenue$13,017$1,660$4,699
Expenses$23,988$28,935$55,066
Qualifying Distributions$16,500$16,500$15,500
Net Investment Income$12,244$5,068$4,699
Distributable Amount$8,728$12,699$16,463

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Ray Foundation is led by Phyllis Gamble, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Phyllis Gamble

    President

    Director → President, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Carol Johnson

    Vice President

    Director → Vice President, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Laura Gregory

    Secretary

    Director → Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Former officers (4)
  • Former: Allison Ray Tatum (2020–2023) — Secretary
  • Former: Borden M. Ray Jr. (2020–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Debbie Crownover (2020–2023) — Director
  • Former: Martin Ray (2020–2023) — President

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Ray Foundation

How much does Ray Foundation give each year?

Ray Foundation gave $17K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $17K across 5 grants.

What is Ray Foundation's typical grant size?

Ray Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,500, and its average grant was $3,300, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Ray Foundation give grants?

Ray Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Tuscaloosa, AL (3 grants).

Does Ray Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Ray Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.

Who are Ray Foundation's largest grantees?

Ray Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jesus Way Homeless Shelter ($6,000), Caring Days ($3,500) and Sdes ($3,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Ray Foundation?

Ray Foundation reported $260K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $17K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Ray Foundation?

Ray Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Tuscaloosa, AL. It holds $260K in total assets as of 2024.

What is Ray Foundation's EIN?

Ray Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1209964. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Ray Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Ray Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Alabama

The Chambers Charitable Foundation Inc

Tuscaloosa, AL

The Chambers Charitable Foundation supports Alabama organizations providing community and religious outreach, including services addressing hunger, poverty, homelessness, and children’s needs. In 2024, its 15 grants ranged from $5,000 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.9M

Grants

15

Total Given

$160K

United Way of West Alabama Inc

Tuscaloosa, AL

United Way of West Alabama funds nonprofit health and human services addressing education, health, financial stability, and disaster relief in nine West Alabama counties. In 2024, its 28 grants ranged from $21,550 to $233,500, with a median of about $94,000. It funds partner agencies through an annual application and review process; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$7.9M

Grants

28

Total Given

$3.0M

Se Belcher Jr Private Foundation #3

Columbus, GA

SE Belcher Jr Private Foundation #3 supports charitable organizations focused on medical care, Christian ministry, education, foster care, rehabilitation, food assistance, and community services, primarily in Alabama, with some funding in Louisiana and Georgia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $100,000, with a median of $20,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$13.1M

Grants

31

Total Given

$892K

Lonnie & Kitty Strickland Charitable

Chattanooga, TN

The foundation supports conservation, education, and compassionate service, including hunger relief and community programs. Its 2025 grants ranged from $206 to $30,000, with a median of $3,000; most funding went to organizations in Tennessee and Alabama, with some grants elsewhere. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$8.3M

Grants

53

Total Given

$341K

The Reese Phifer Jr Memorial

Tuscaloosa, AL

The Reese Phifer Jr Memorial supports a broad range of Alabama organizations, including those focused on food, human services, education, faith, housing, youth, health, and the arts; nearly all 2024 grants went to Alabama recipients. Its 61 grants totaled $363,495, with awards ranging from $100 to $100,000 and a median of $1,000. The profile provides a contact and says no specific application format or deadline is required, but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$4.0M

Grants

61

Total Given

$363K

Alabama Power Foundation Inc

Birmingham, AL

The Alabama Power Foundation funds Alabama nonprofits, schools, and community initiatives in education, civic and community development, arts and culture, health and human services, and environmental stewardship. In 2024, grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $2,500. It provides an online application for grants; unsolicited requests are not specifically addressed.

Assets

$117.9M

Grants

1,240

Total Given

$16.2M

The Daniel Foundation of Alabama

Birmingham, AL

The Daniel Foundation of Alabama funds education and youth development, basic needs, health and human services, arts, and community and rural projects that strengthen Alabama communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000 and ranged from $200 to $112,500, with most funding going to Alabama organizations and projects.

Assets

$114.5M

Grants

521

Total Given

$7.5M

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Birmingham, AL

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham funds programs, projects, and capital improvements across priorities including thriving communities, economic opportunity, poverty reduction, and equity. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $20,600, though awards varied widely; competitive grants support eligible organizations serving Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair counties in Alabama. It accepts competitive requests through periodic application cycles, but the current cycle described is closed.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$350.7M

Grants

440

Total Given

$43.6M

The Long Lewis Foundation

Muscle Shoals, AL

The Long-Lewis Foundation supports evangelistic causes, local and global mission work, and people facing medical or emotional hardship, with limited scholarships for those pursuing full-time ministry. Its 2024 grants ranged from $27 to $62,450, with a median of $1,000; it primarily funded Alabama organizations and supports communities it serves. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$5.5M

Grants

318

Total Given

$845K

Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville

Huntsville, AL

The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville supports quality-of-life needs including education, basic needs, health, arts, and community development across Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan Counties. In 2024, its grants had a median of $14,700 and ranged from $5,100 to $651,700; some named programs offer awards of $50,000. It provides application options for Foundation grants, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$66.3M

Grants

285

Total Given

$11.7M

Protective Life Foundation

Birmingham, AL

Protective Life Foundation funds nonprofits focused on education, food security, shelter, disaster relief, and community quality of life, primarily in metro Birmingham. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $48 to $700,000; the Foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$653K

Grants

219

Total Given

$3.8M

Altecstyslinger Foundation

Birmingham, AL

In 2024, the foundation supported education, health, community services, hunger relief, and public policy, with the largest share of funding going to Alabama, followed by North Carolina, Texas, Missouri, and Washington, D.C. It made 197 grants totaling about $8.9 million; grants ranged from $50 to $1.27 million, with a median of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organizations.

Assets

$142.9M

Grants

197

Total Given

$8.9M

More Funders in Alabama

Ray Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?