The Bissell Foundation
The Bissell Foundation is a private foundation, based in Birmingham, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $48K.
The Bissell Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bissell Foundation gave $48K across 7 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $47,949
- +77.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 7
- +16.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,850
- +52.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $4,449
- Primary geography
- Alabama (100% 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 The Bissell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Briarwood Presbyterian Church ($20K). Together the top 7 received $48K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 30 grants of 30 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Bissell Foundation gives
- Giving grew 699% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2019) to $48K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $48K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Briarwood Presbyterian Church Birmingham, AL | To Support the Church | $20,000 |
| Mountain Brook City Schools Mountain Brook, AL | To Support MB City Schools | $10,500 |
| American Cancer Society Birmingham, AL | To Support Fight Against Cancer | $10,000 |
| National Christian Foundation Birmingham, AL | To Support Christian Grant-Making | $4,449 |
| Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham, AL | To protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the garden | $1,000 |
| Globe Works International Ministries Inc Vestavia, AL | To Support the the Christian Ministry | $1,000 |
| Childrens of Alabama Birmingham, AL | To support medical care fo ill and injured children | $1,000 |
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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 | — | $2,075 | $52,811 | $47,949 | 7 | $50,268 | — | $2,089 |
| 2023 | $50,736 | $2,891 | $27,356 | $27,000 | 6 | $27,000 | $2,363 | $2,715 |
| 2022 | $75,201 | $11,773 | $29,018 | $24,000 | 4 | $26,315 | $9,070 | $4,516 |
| 2021 | $92,446 | $4,294 | $8,708 | $6,000 | 5 | $7,103 | $484 | $6,120 |
| 2020 | $96,860 | $5,248 | $11,480 | $7,275 | 8 | — | $3,673 | $5,742 |
| 2019 | $103,092 | $2,868 | $4,481 | $1,500 | 2 | — | $877 | $5,597 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bissell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bissell Foundation is led by Hal Bissell, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Hal Bissell
President & Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Warren C. Matthews
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Bissell
V.p., Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 The Bissell Foundation
How much does The Bissell Foundation give each year?
The Bissell Foundation gave $48K across 7 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $27K across 6 grants.
What is The Bissell Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bissell Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $4,449, and its average grant was $6,850, across 7 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Bissell Foundation give grants?
The Bissell 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 Birmingham, AL (5 grants).
Does The Bissell Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Bissell Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Bissell Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bissell Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Briarwood Presbyterian Church ($20,000), Mountain Brook City Schools ($10,500) and American Cancer Society ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How much is The Bissell Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Bissell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Bissell Foundation's EIN?
The Bissell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1381765. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 25, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Bissell Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bissell Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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