Samford-cannon Foundation
The Samford-Cannon Foundation is a private foundation established in 2004, based in Opelika, Alabama. Also known as the W James Samford Jr Foundation, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing educational and leadership opportunities to its recipients.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.3M
-1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$470K
+7.3% YoY
Grant Count
24
-7.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
+16.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Samford-cannon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $438K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to provide educational and leadership opportunities, with particular emphasis on:
- First Methodist Church ministries
- Auburn University
- Lee County, Alabama community needs
- Church ministries and religious organizations
- Support for recovering addicts
- Program operations and adoptions
- Support for isolated youths in East Alabama
- Education and immersive engagement programs
- Workforce development and training initiatives
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount varies by year
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Alabama (primary focus)
- Virginia
- North Carolina
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $9,251,635
- Total Revenues: $443,015
- Total Expenses: $816,035
- Number of Employees: 1
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $9,412,203
- Total Revenues: $2,635,548
- Total Expenses: $674,712
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,251,635 | $9,412,203 | $7,281,436 |
| Revenue | $443,015 | $2,635,548 | $323,430 |
| Expenses | $816,035 | $674,712 | $790,495 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $619,662 | $722,921 | $2,683,385 |
| Net Investment Income | $322,701 | $2,533,384 | $213,438 |
| Distributable Amount | $438,137 | $393,920 | $518,616 |
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
145 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include First Methodist Church ($147,752), Opelika Chamber Foundation ($50,012), Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AUBURN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION AUBURN, AL | SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS | $25,000 |
| AUBURN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION AUBURN, AL | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR RANE CULINARY CENTER | $24,931 |
| EAST ALABAMA MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION OPELIKA, AL | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL | $40,836 |
| EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION OF EAST ALABAMA AUBURN, AL | AID INDIVIDUALS W/ INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES | $5,000 |
| FIRST METHODIST CHURCH OPELIKA, AL | SANCTUARY RENOVATIONS | $147,752 |
| FOOD BANK OF EAST ALABAMA AUBURN, AL | FOOD ACQUISITION FOR COMMUNITY MARKET | $2,000 |
| HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HEALTH FOUNDATION HIGHLANDS, NC | SUPPORT HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS, NC HOSPITAL | $1,000 |
| HUDSON FAMILY FOUNDATION AUBURN, AL | PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN/FAMILIES LIVING W/ TERMINAL ILLNESS | $10,000 |
| OPELIKA CHAMBER FOUNDATION OPELIKA, AL | OPELIKA FORWARD CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $50,012 |
| OPELIKA SPORTSPLEX & AQUATICS CENTER MONTGOMERY, AL | HELP UNDERWRITE CONSTRUCTION COST FOR RECREATIONAL COMPLEX IN OPELIKA, AL | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Race Cannon (Director)
- Beth Lomenick
- Carrie Thomas
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LUCINDA SAMFORD CANNON | PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR | 20 | $72,500 |
| PRESTON B BARNETT | TREASURER AND DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,500 |
| E RASHA CANNON | SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR | 6 | $22,977 |
| HEATHER S CANNON | DIRECTOR | 1 | $1,500 |
Contact Information
Address: 1104 Live Oak Circle, Opelika, AL 36801-2726
Phone: 334-749-8481
EIN: 20-0246688
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Samford-cannon Foundation fund?
The foundation seeks to provide educational and leadership opportunities, with particular emphasis on: • First Methodist Church ministries • Auburn University • Lee County, Alabama community needs • Church ministries and religious organizations • Support for recovering addicts • Program operations and adoptions • Support for isolated youths in East Alabama • Education and immersive engagement programs • Workforce development and training initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Samford-cannon Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 27 grants in 2023 • Typical award range: $50–$150,376 • Total giving in 2024: $469,973 • Average grant amount varies by year **Recent Grants (2023-2024):** • Opelika Chamber Foundation: $50,519 (2023) and $50,012 (2024) for Opelika Forward Capital Campaign • Auburn University Foundation: $25,736 (2023) for Capital Campaign for Rane Culinary Center • US Space & Rocket Center Foundation: $25,735 (2023) for Education & Immersive Engagement • East Alabama Medical Center F…
Where does Samford-cannon Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Alabama (primary focus) • Virginia • North Carolina
What size grants does Samford-cannon Foundation award?
In 2024, Samford-cannon Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $470K — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Samford-cannon Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Samford-cannon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $438K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.