The Coleman Foundation
The Coleman Foundation is listed in the 2025 filing as a private foundation based in Midland City, Alabama. Its filing reports giving primarily, but not exclusively, in Alabama, including academic scholarships and support for service organizations. The foundation’s website describes a Coleman Foundation, Inc. based in Chicago whose work focuses on the greater Chicago region; the two sources give different locations and grantmaking descriptions.
The Coleman Foundation at a glance
In short: The Coleman Foundation gave $93K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $92,667
- -45.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- -18.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,128
- -33.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $2,761
- +0.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Alabama (81% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Coleman Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Application contact: John C Coleman
Mailing address: PO Box 397, Midland City, AL 36350
Phone: (334) 983-6500
Website: HTTPS://COLEMANFOUNDATION.ORG/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Coleman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Troy State University ($69K). Together the top 8 received $85K.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($8,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 107 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing says giving is primarily, but not limited to, Alabama. Its listed 2025 grant dollars went mainly to Alabama recipients (81%), with shares also going to Kansas (6%), Missouri (2%), Texas (2%), and Indiana (2%). The website describes a primary focus on the greater Chicago area and says international programs are not considered. Its 2025 entrepreneurship open call required proposed work to be geographically restricted to the greater Chicago region.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Coleman Foundation gives
- Giving fell 34% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $43K (2020) to $197K (2023). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $93K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Troy State University Troy, AL | Programs | $68,667 |
| Stephens College Columbia, MO | Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Univesity of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | Scholarship | $2,000 |
| 4 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $8,000 |
| Wichita State University Wichita, KS | Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Friends University Wichita, KS | Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Ball State University Muncie, IN | Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Friends University Wichita, KS | Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Auburn University Auburn University, AL | Scholarship | $2,000 |
| University of Guam Mangilao, GU | Scholarship | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Coleman Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2025 filing reports 13 grants; the 2024 filing reports 16, and the 2023 filing reports 30.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,761 | $94,000 | $92,727 | $92,667 | 13 | $92,667 | $262 |
| 2024 | $2,750 | $172,000 | $171,027 | $170,967 | 16 | $170,967 | $422 |
| 2023 | $1,777 | $195,666 | $197,195 | $197,155 | 30 | $197,155 | $396 |
| 2022 | $3,306 | $140,000 | $140,278 | $140,242 | 32 | $140,242 | $602 |
| 2021 | $3,584 | $30,000 | $98,779 | $98,767 | 16 | $98,767 | $401 |
| 2020 | $72,363 | $110,000 | $43,409 | $43,409 | 19 | — | $979 |
| 2019 | $5,772 | $52,500 | $56,600 | $56,600 | 19 | — | $622 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Coleman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $262 for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The website identifies Entrepreneurship, Health, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as its funding areas. It describes its work as strengthening the greater Chicago entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting accessible and equitable health initiatives, and improving resources and support for Illinois residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
The 2025 filing describes academic scholarships for children, grandchildren, or dependents of associates working with Coleman World Group and/or its affiliates, as well as funding for service organizations in and around Alabama. The filing also describes support for Troy University programs, scholarships, and equipment; Houston Academy, a nonprofit independent college-preparatory school in Dothan, Alabama; and a capital campaign of the Episcopal Diocese of the an individual recipient
Grantee descriptions illustrate the variety of organizations receiving grants. An individual recipient Community College’s foundation says it supports the college through student scholarships, professional development, and college-community partnerships. Friends University describes itself as a Christian university of Quaker heritage that integrates students’ intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Stephens College describes its work as providing an innovative educational experience, with a historic commitment to meeting women’s changing needs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $92,667. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $68,667, with a median of $2,000. The largest listed award was $68,667 to Troy State University in Troy, Alabama, for programs. Other listed awards of $2,000 included scholarships to Stephens College, the University of Alabama, an individual recipient Community College, Wichita State University, Friends University, an individual recipient Community College, Ball State University, an individual recipient Community College, an individual recipient State College, and Auburn University.
The website says proposals are by invitation only and that invited applicants use an online portal. It also says grants are made to qualifying tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, not individuals, and that general operating support as well as program and project support is available. The 2025 filing separately says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and describes proposals outlining intended use of funds. How to apply: The website says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; its stated process is by invitation. The 2025 filing describes a proposal outlining how funds would be used and says there were no submission deadlines. The website’s 2025 entrepreneurship open call had an April 25, 2025 application deadline and is a past cycle. Deadline: No submission deadlines were stated in the 2025 filing.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John C. Coleman as president and James F. Coleman and Jeffrey F. Coleman as board members. The website lists Nora Garcia as CEO, Esther Barron as chair, Pat Yuzawa-Rubin as vice chair, and Walter Abrego as treasurer and secretary. It also lists Alison Fitzgerald and Laura Lane Taylor as directors.
The Coleman Foundation is led by John C. Coleman, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John C. Coleman
President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
James F. Coleman
Board Member
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jeffrey F. Coleman
Board Member
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Coleman Foundation
How much does The Coleman Foundation give each year?
The Coleman Foundation gave $93K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $171K across 16 grants.
What is The Coleman Foundation's typical grant size?
The Coleman Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $7,128, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Coleman Foundation give grants?
The Coleman Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Kansas (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wichita, KS (3 grants).
Does The Coleman Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Coleman Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (12 grants).
Who are The Coleman Foundation's largest grantees?
The Coleman Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Troy State University ($68,667), Friends University ($4,000 across 2 grants) and Stephens College ($2,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($8,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 81% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Coleman Foundation?
The Coleman Foundation reported $3K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $93K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $262 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Coleman Foundation fund?
The website identifies Entrepreneurship, Health, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as its funding areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Coleman Foundation?
The Coleman Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check colemanfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
What is The Coleman Foundation's EIN?
The Coleman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-3980009. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Coleman Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 4, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Coleman Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Coleman Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-coleman-foundation-morg_1734504de90942e28256c2d77d2b5a07
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_463980009_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Coleman Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-coleman-foundation-morg_1734504de90942e28256c2d77d2b5a07},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Coleman Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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