The Bissell Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Birmingham, AL EIN: 72-1381765

The Bissell Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Birmingham, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. In 2024, it awarded 7 grants totaling $48K.

Key facts about The Bissell Foundation

EIN: 72-1381765
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $47,949
Grants made (2024): 7
Average grant: $6,850
Median grant: $4,449
Primary geography: Alabama (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who The Bissell Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Bissell Foundation's 7 itemized 2024 grants were Alabama (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Birmingham, AL (5 grants). None of its 7 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support.

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.

Next steps with The Bissell Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

-100.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$48K

+77.6% YoY

Grant Count

+16.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$7K

+52.2% YoY

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.

About The Bissell Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

Alabama $48K (100%)

Share of all 7 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Alabama Georgia North Dakota Texas

Cities

BirminghamMountain BrookAmarilloDuluthFargoHartselleVestavia

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	—	$50,736	$75,201
Revenue	$2,075	$2,891	$11,773
Expenses	$52,811	$27,356	$29,018
Qualifying Distributions	$50,268	$27,000	$26,315
Net Investment Income	—	$2,363	$9,070
Distributable Amount	$2,089	$2,715	$4,516

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

30 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Briarwood Presbyterian Church ($20,000), Mountain Brook City Schools ($10,500), American Cancer Society ($10,000).

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

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Hal Bissell	President and Director	2	—
Jane Bissell	V.P. & Secretary/Treasurer	2	—
Warren C Matthews	Director	2	—

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Bissell Foundation?

The Bissell Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Birmingham, AL. It holds — in total assets as of 2024.

Where does The Bissell Foundation operate?

The Bissell Foundation has awarded grants in Alabama, Georgia, North Dakota, Texas.

What size grants does The Bissell Foundation award?

In 2024, The Bissell Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $48K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

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.