The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is a public charity based in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1959, it brings together donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to support change in the Greater Birmingham region.
Key facts about The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
In short: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham gave $43.6M across 440 grants in 2024 (avg $99K), mostly in Alabama. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 63-1209631
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $43,602,585
- Grants made (2024)
- 440
- Average grant
- $99,097
- Median grant
- $20,616
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (127 of 439, 2024)
- Total assets
- $350,679,320
- Primary geography
- Alabama (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Next open deadline
- December 31, 2026 (Competitive Grantmaking Program)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$350.7M
+20.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$43.6M
+42.5% YoY
Grant Count
440
+9.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$99K
+30.5% YoY
Is The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 127 of 439 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $62K; repeat grants $115K. How we count
Medians: $17K first-time, $22K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to ignite passion for transformational change in its community. Its stated priority areas are Thriving Communities, Regional Cooperation, Economic Opportunity for All, Overcoming Persistent Poverty, and Equity and Inclusion.
The Foundation’s 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations. For example, the Lovelady Center describes its mission as helping women overcome addiction and tragedy; Grace Klein Community describes work to relieve poverty and distress and address community tensions and deterioration; and United Way of an individual recipient describes its mission as increasing people’s capacity to care for one another and improve their community. Other recipients included education-focused Chatham Hall and Auburn University Foundation, and the Downtown Jimmie Hale Mission, which describes its work as furnishing food, lodging, and assistance to people in need.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 440 grants totaling $43,602,585. Grants ranged from $5,050 to $4,312,424, with a median of $20,616. The largest listed awards included $4,312,424 to Lovelady Center/Freedom Rain, $3,629,259 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, $3,581,133 to Grace Klein Community, $1,600,000 to Doulos Partners, and $1,459,157 to United Way of an individual recipient
The competitive grant program uses a two-stage process: brief proposals, followed by full proposals for invited applicants. Site visits are scheduled for applicants advancing to the full proposal stage. Eligible applicants must be IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofits, exempt religious institutions, or government entities serving Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, and/or St. Clair counties in Alabama. Private nonoperating foundations are ineligible. Fiscal sponsors may be used only when there is a meaningful mission fit and an existing working relationship. Large organizations with multiple branches or departments must submit requests through their president’s or development office. Organizations with a competitive grant from the previous cycle or an open grant are ineligible to apply.
The Fall 2026 competitive cycle’s brief-proposal deadline was August 14, 2026, and that cycle is now closed. The Foundation’s grants page says decisions are expected in December. Its website also lists separate LGBTQ Fund and Remy Fund opportunities, with 2026 deadlines of June 30 and April 30, respectively; both dates have passed.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Birmingham Change Fund
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFGB Grants: LGBTQ Fund
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Competitive Grantmaking Program
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Amount
Varies
Deadline
December 31, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Ready to take the next step with The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s website identifies Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties in Alabama as its service region. Its competitive grant guidelines limit eligible applicants to organizations serving Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, and/or St. Clair counties. In 2024, 84% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama; the listed recipient states also included Virginia, Iowa, Florida, and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 440 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $22.3M (2021) to $43.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 440 grants totaling $43.6M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lovelady Centerfreedom Rain ($4.3M). Together the top 10 received $20.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,111 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,601 grants of 2,111 (76%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lovelady Centerfreedom Rain Birmingham, AL | Family and Social Services; DAF Funded | $4,312,424 |
| The University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL | General Support | $3,629,259 |
| Grace Klein Community Inc Birmingham, AL | General Support | $3,581,133 |
| Doulos Partners Vestavia Hills, AL | Family and Social Services; DAF Funded | $1,600,000 |
| United Way of Central Alabama Birmingham, AL | Family and Social Services | $1,459,157 |
| National Christian Foundation Alabama Birmingham, AL | General Support; DAF Funded | $1,268,913 |
| Chatham Hall Chatham, VA | Education; DAF Funded | $1,140,000 |
| Navy Seal Foundation Virginia Beach, VA | Education; DAF Funded | $1,000,000 |
| Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia Boone, IA | Education; DAF Funded | $1,000,000 |
| Blanket Fort Hope Columbiana, AL | Family and Social Services | $986,200 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $350,679,320 | $89,416,111 | $48,856,845 | $43,602,585 |
| 2023 | $290,214,848 | $30,634,267 | $35,901,917 | $30,605,205 |
| 2022 | $266,608,513 | $48,186,297 | $29,035,020 | $23,766,590 |
The Foundation’s 2024 filing describes due diligence that may include verifying nonprofit status, financial analysis, site visits, and grant-application review. The filing also says grantees are subject to reporting requirements based on the grant or program terms.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $350,679,320 | $290,214,848 | $266,608,513 |
| Revenue | $89,416,111 | $30,634,267 | $48,186,297 |
| Expenses | $48,856,845 | $35,901,917 | $29,035,020 |
| Net Investment Income | $16,691,807 | $5,913,205 | $12,125,477 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brian Hamilton as board president. Directors listed are Rob Blalock, Kate Danella, Myla Calhoun, Nancy Goedecke, Rashada Leroy, Daniel Coleman, Turner Burton, Bing Edwards, and David Germany.
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is led by Christopher Nanni, President & Chief Eexecutive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 25 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Nanni
President & Chief Eexecutive Officer
President & CEO → President & Chief Eexecutive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$176K (2020) → $209K (2024)
Brian Hamilton
Board President
Director → Board President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Gaskin
Director of Gift Planning
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $110K (2024)
Cathy Wright
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Coleman
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Gray
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kate R. Danella
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mechelle Wilder
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Myla Calhoun
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sanjay Singh
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shegun Otulana
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Goedecke
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vivian Mora
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Delynn Zell
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Guin Robinson
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rashada Leroy
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Blalock
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bing Edwards
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Meehan
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Germany
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
G. Ruffner Page
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Turner Burton
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gus Heard-Hughes
Vice President & Programs
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$102K (2021) → $120K (2024)
Chris Luketic
Chief Financial Officer
CFO → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$89K (2022) → $122K (2024)
Amy Abeyta
Vice President, Marketing & Committee
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$107K (2024)
Former officers (13)
- Former: Edgar Marx Jr. (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Gregory P. Butrus (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jared Weinstein (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lissa Tyson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lora Blalock (2021–2023) — Vice President & Development
- Former: Ruffner Page (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Judge William Hereford (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Susan Matlock (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Terri Epting (2020–2022) — CFO
- Former: Selwyn Vickers (2022) — Director
- Former: Stewart M. Dansby (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mike Luce (2020) — Director
- Former: Ray Watts MD (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $209K, to Christopher Nanni (President/Chief Eexecutive Officer). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 1531 3Rd Avenue North 100, Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 327-3805
Frequently asked questions about The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
How much does The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham give each year?
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham gave $43.6M across 440 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $30.6M across 403 grants.
What is The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's typical grant size?
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's median grant in 2024 was $20,616, and its average grant was $99,097, across 440 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham that year got $62K on average.
Where does The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham give grants?
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham gives mostly in Alabama: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Birmingham, AL (218 grants), Atlanta, GA (13 grants), Pelham, AL (10 grants) and New Orleans, LA (8 grants).
Does The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham give general operating support?
Yes: 18% of The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (78 of 440) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Family and Social Services; DAF Funded" (77 grants), "Education; DAF Funded" (59 grants) and "Family and Social Services" (52 grants).
Who are The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's largest grantees?
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's largest 2024 grantees include Lovelady Centerfreedom Rain ($4,312,424), The University of Alabama at Birmingham ($3,629,259) and Grace Klein Community Inc ($3,581,133), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham?
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham reported $350.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $89.4M.
What does The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to ignite passion for transformational change in its community. Its stated priority areas are Thriving Communities, Regional Cooperation, Economic Opportunity for All, Overcoming Persistent Poverty, and Equity and Inclusion. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham?
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's EIN?
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1209631. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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