Schaeffer Foundation
Schaeffer Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Birmingham, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $161K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $19K. Net investment income was $116.
Schaeffer Foundation at a glance
In short: Schaeffer Foundation gave $19K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $19,027
- +164.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- +400.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,805
- -47.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $161,000
- -10.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Alabama (75% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Schaeffer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Birmingham Jewish Federation ($12K). Together the top 5 received $19K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 10 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How Schaeffer Foundation gives
- Giving grew 52% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 227% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2023) to $19K (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $19K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Jewish Federation Birmingham, AL | General Support | $12,360 |
| BSBI Synagogue Charleston, SC | General Support | $2,800 |
| College of Charleston Foundation Charleston, SC | General Support | $2,000 |
| Temple Beth-El Foundation Birmingham, AL | General Support | $1,667 |
| Sisterhood of Temple Beth-El Birmingham, AL | General Support | $200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $161,000 | $116 | $19,027 | $19,027 | 5 | $19,027 | $116 | $8,393 |
| 2023 | $179,911 | $328 | $13,100 | $7,200 | 1 | — | $328 | — |
| 2022 | $192,683 | $329 | $23,735 | $13,500 | 1 | — | $329 | — |
| 2021 | $216,089 | — | $16,100 | $12,500 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $232,189 | $659 | $24,230 | $15,800 | 2 | — | $659 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Schaeffer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Schaeffer Foundation is led by Jack L. Schaeffer, Director on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jack L. Schaeffer
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Schaeffer Foundation
How much does Schaeffer Foundation give each year?
Schaeffer Foundation gave $19K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7K across 1 grant.
What is Schaeffer Foundation's typical grant size?
Schaeffer Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,000, and its average grant was $3,805, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Schaeffer Foundation give grants?
Schaeffer Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was South Carolina (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Birmingham, AL (3 grants) and Charleston, SC (2 grants).
Does Schaeffer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Schaeffer Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Schaeffer Foundation's largest grantees?
Schaeffer Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Birmingham Jewish Federation ($12,360), BSBI Synagogue ($2,800) and College of Charleston Foundation ($2,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Schaeffer Foundation?
Schaeffer Foundation reported $161K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $19K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Schaeffer Foundation?
Schaeffer Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Birmingham, AL. It holds $161K in total assets as of 2024.
What is Schaeffer Foundation's EIN?
Schaeffer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1141295. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 21, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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