Strain Foundation
The Strain Foundation is a private foundation established in 1994 and based in Huntsville, Alabama. It operates as a 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization with no employees, functioning as a family foundation that distributes grants to nonprofit organizations across multiple issue areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.1M
-8.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$692K
+124.7% YoY
Grant Count
32
+128.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
-1.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Strain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $365K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides grants to organizations working in the following areas:
- Community service and community outreach
- Conservation work
- Transportation to health services
- Research
- Racial justice
- LGBTQ liberation
- Hunger relief
- Gardens and sustainable agriculture
- Education
- Human services
- Housing
- Food pantries
- Disaster preparedness and relief
Grantmaking
The foundation made 27 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending October 2024), with total giving of $692,000.
Grant Range
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of October 2024:
- Total assets: $5,137,119
- Total revenues: $270,967
- Total expenses: $747,127
- Investment income and dividends: $206,667
Year-over-year changes (FY 2024 vs. FY 2023): Investment income declined 25% from $275,686 to $206,667.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,137,119 | $5,613,279 | $6,013,998 |
| Revenue | $270,967 | $-45,065 | $264,388 |
| Expenses | $747,127 | $355,654 | $252,168 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $692,000 | $308,000 | $186,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $206,667 | $275,686 | $320,232 |
| Distributable Amount | $365,229 | $319,055 | $340,333 |
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
107 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The University of the South ($155,000), Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Net ($50,000), Embrace Alabama Kids ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AN MONTGOMERY, AL | RACIAL JUSTICE | $35,000 |
| ALABAMA ARISE MONTGOMERY, AL | IMPROVE LIVES MARGINALIZED BY POVERT | $35,000 |
| ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIN TALLADEGA, AL | ENCOURAGE SUPPORT FOR AIDB PROGRAMS | $20,000 |
| ALABAMA NONPROFIT HOUSING INC ONEONTA, AL | PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO FARMWO | $5,000 |
| ALABAMA RIVERS ALLIANCE BIRMINGHAM, AL | CONSERVATION WORK | $10,000 |
| ALABAMA SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE NET BIRMINGHAM, AL | PROMOTING AGRICULTURE | $50,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S OF CENTRAL AL BIRMINGHAM, AL | ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH AND SERVICES | $25,000 |
| BLACK WARRIOR RIVERKEEPER INC BIRMINGHAM, AL | PROTECT AND RESTORE BLACK WARRIOR RI | $5,000 |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF NORTH ALABAMA ATHENS, AL | MENTOR SUPPORT | $7,000 |
| CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY BIRMINGHAM, AL | RESTORING AND PROTECTING WATERSHED | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIA STRAIN MALOY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JANET STRAIN MCDONALD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 303 Williams Ave SW, Suite 129 Huntsville, AL 35801-6001
EIN: 63-1108283
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Strain Foundation fund?
The foundation provides grants to organizations working in the following areas: • Community service and community outreach • Conservation work • Transportation to health services • Research • Racial justice • LGBTQ liberation • Hunger relief • Gardens and sustainable agriculture • Education • Human services • Housing • Food pantries • Disaster preparedness and relief
How do I apply for a grant from Strain Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 27 grants in its most recent fiscal year (ending October 2024), with total giving of $692,000. **Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $4,000 to $155,000. **Recent Grants (FY 2024):** • University of The South: $155,000 (Higher Education) • Alabama Arise Action: $35,000 (Improve Lives of Those Marginalized by Poverty) • Indian Springs School: $20,000 (Education) Past grantees have included Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Net.
Where does Strain Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
What size grants does Strain Foundation award?
In 2024, Strain Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $692K — an average of about $22K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Strain Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Strain Foundation reported a distributable amount of $365K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Strain Foundation's EIN?
Strain Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1108283. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Strain Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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