Samford-Cannon Foundation
The Samford-Cannon Foundation is a private foundation based in Opelika, Alabama. In 2025, it made grants to charitable organizations and reported direct charitable activity involving properties intended for nonprofit use.
Samford-Cannon Foundation at a glance
In short: Samford-Cannon Foundation gave $423K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Alabama. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $422,914
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- -8.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,223
- -1.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $9,623,029
- +4.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (5 of 22, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Alabama (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Samford-Cannon Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1104 Live Oak Circle, Opelika, AL 36801-2726
Phone: (334) 749-8481
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Samford-Cannon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was First Methodist Church ($157K). Together the top 10 received $396K.
Grant Size Distribution
140 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 125 grants of 140 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama, 1% to recipients in Virginia, and less than 1% to recipients in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Samford-Cannon Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 22 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 59% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−20%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 139% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 $423K (2025) to $526K (2022). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $423K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First Methodist Church Opelika, AL | Sanctuary Renovations | $157,437 |
| Auburn University Foundation Auburn, AL | Scholarships & Awards | $50,048 |
| Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center Montgomery, AL | Help underwrite construction cost for recreational complex in opelika, al | $50,000 |
| Opelika Chamber Foundation Opelika, AL | Opelika Forward Capital Campaign | $48,921 |
| East Alabama Medical Center Foundation Opelika, AL | General Funding | $33,999 |
| Opelika City Schools Opelika, AL | Provide Continuing Ed to Select High School Students | $23,665 |
| Hudson Family Foundation Auburn, AL | Provide financial support for children/families living w/ terminal illness | $10,000 |
| Southern Union Foundation Wadley, AL | Scholarships for Students | $9,844 |
| Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL | General Funding | $6,000 |
| Esperanza House Auburn, AL | General Funding | $6,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Samford-Cannon Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation reported 22 grants in 2025, 24 in 2024, and 26 in 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,623,029 | $926,092 | $765,486 | $422,914 | 22 | $779,063 | $818,703 | $561,640 |
| 2024 | $9,251,635 | $443,015 | $816,035 | $469,973 | 24 | $619,662 | $322,701 | $438,137 |
| 2023 | $9,402,796 | $2,635,548 | $684,119 | $437,928 | 26 | $571,281 | $2,525,152 | $394,034 |
| 2022 | $7,281,436 | $323,430 | $790,495 | $525,735 | 36 | $780,391 | $213,438 | $518,616 |
| 2021 | $7,537,711 | $294,570 | $629,847 | $433,782 | 32 | $516,075 | $180,348 | $613,005 |
| 2020 | $7,730,443 | $216,117 | $606,742 | $426,470 | 27 | — | $117,611 | $511,100 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Samford-Cannon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $562K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s 2025 grants show support for organizations working in education, community development, healthcare, human services, and religious life. Grant purposes included sanctuary renovations for First Methodist Church, scholarships and awards for Auburn University Foundation, support for construction of a recreational complex in Opelika, and continuing education for selected high school students through Opelika City Schools.
The foundation also reported direct charitable activity related to property purchased for charitable purposes: 1944 Opelika Road was purchased with the intent to renovate it and provide office space for local nonprofits at below-market rent. It stated that the Scouthouse property was placed in service in 2025 for use by nonprofit organizations.
Grantee organizations describe their own work in varied terms. Auburn University Foundation says it operates for the exclusive benefit of Auburn University, an educational land-grant institution. Opelika Chamber Foundation says its primary purpose is to support the philanthropic, economic-development, and community-building efforts of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, including addressing workforce-development challenges and other community barriers. East Alabama Medical Center Foundation says it collects community donations to support East Alabama Healthcare Authority, a governmental hospital. Esperanza House says it seeks to improve the quality of life for Hispanic children and families through programs including mental health, youth development, childcare, education, and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 22 grants totaling $422,914. Individual grants ranged from $100 to $157,437, with a median grant of $5,000. Among the largest were $157,437 to First Methodist Church for sanctuary renovations; $50,048 to Auburn University Foundation for scholarships and awards; $50,000 to Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center to help underwrite construction of a recreational complex in Opelika; and $48,921 to Opelika Chamber Foundation for the Opelika Forward capital campaign. Other notable grants included $33,999 to East Alabama Medical Center Foundation for general funding and $23,665 to Opelika City Schools for continuing education for selected high school students.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lucinda Samford Cannon as president and director; Preston B Barnett as treasurer and director; E Rasha Cannon as secretary and director; and Heather S Cannon as director.
Samford-Cannon Foundation is led by Lucinda Samford Cannon, President & Director on every filing since 2020; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lucinda Samford Cannon
President & Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$69K (2020) → $73K (2025)
E. Rasha Cannon
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Preston B. Barnett
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $2K (2025)
Heather S. Cannon
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$2K (2024) → $2K (2025)
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 $73K, to Lucinda Samford Cannon (President and Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Samford-Cannon Foundation
How much does Samford-Cannon Foundation give each year?
Samford-Cannon Foundation gave $423K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $470K across 24 grants.
What is Samford-Cannon Foundation's typical grant size?
Samford-Cannon Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $19,223, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Samford-Cannon Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Samford-Cannon Foundation give grants?
Samford-Cannon Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Opelika, AL (8 grants), Auburn, AL (7 grants) and Montgomery, AL (4 grants).
Does Samford-Cannon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 55% of Samford-Cannon Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Samford-Cannon Foundation's largest grantees?
Samford-Cannon Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include First Methodist Church ($157,437), Auburn University Foundation ($50,048) and Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Samford-Cannon Foundation?
Samford-Cannon Foundation reported $9.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $779K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $562K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Samford-Cannon Foundation fund?
The foundation’s 2025 grants show support for organizations working in education, community development, healthcare, human services, and religious life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Samford-Cannon Foundation?
The foundation 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 Samford-Cannon Foundation's EIN?
Samford-Cannon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0246688. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Samford-Cannon 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Samford-Cannon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/samford-cannon-foundation-morg_9d1dd511f2674301a69c903f1ac8d79b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200246688_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Samford-Cannon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/samford-cannon-foundation-morg_9d1dd511f2674301a69c903f1ac8d79b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Samford-Cannon Foundation'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.
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