The David J Cooper Family Charitable
The David J Cooper Family Charitable is a private foundation based in Mobile, Alabama. Its 2024 filing reports grants to organizations in Alabama and several other states.
Key facts about The David J Cooper Family Charitable
In short: The David J Cooper Family Charitable gave $1.3M across 39 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in Alabama. 63% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 26-3868978
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,289,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 39
- Average grant
- $33,051
- Median grant
- $4,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 63% first-time grantees (24 of 38, 2024)
- Total assets
- $17,473,369
- Primary geography
- Alabama (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.5M
+16.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.3M
+40.1% YoY
Grant Count
39
-26.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
+90.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The David J Cooper Family Charitable reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The David J Cooper Family Charitable open to new grantees?
63%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 38 grantees (63%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $56K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 29% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 125% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 Cooper Foundation’s stated mission is to improve people’s lives by helping them secure stable housing. Its materials describe assistance with move-in costs, such as security deposits, utility deposits, and first and last month’s rent, as well as help preventing housing loss.
The 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Mobile Carnival Association says it promotes education and civic advancement through Mardi Gras and related activities. Mamga Nineteen Thirty Eight Legacy says it promotes the historical and cultural significance of the Mobile Mardi Gras Association and serves the community through programs and events. Other recipients included universities, community organizations, and organizations serving older adults.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 39 grants totaling $1,289,000. Awards ranged from $500 to $600,000, with a median grant of $4,000. The listed large grants were designated unrestricted.
How to Apply
conducted in collaboration with partner nonprofits, which vet potential grantees and apply for assistance.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Mobile, Alabama. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama; the reported shares for North Carolina and Mississippi were 3% and 2%, respectively. Florida and Washington, DC each accounted for 0% as reported.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 39 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 $433K (2020) to $1.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 39 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Mobile Carnival Association ($600K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
213 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 189 grants of 213 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Carnival Association Mobile, AL | Unrestricted | $600,000 |
| Mamga - Nineteen Thirty Eight Legacy Mobile, AL | Unrestricted | $150,000 |
| Dauphin Restoratin Society Mobile, AL | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Mamga Nineteen Thirty Eigh Mobile, AL | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| The Univ of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | Unrestricted | $58,000 |
| Mobile Big Band Society Mobile, AL | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business Tuscaloosa, AL | Unrestricted | $27,000 |
| Madison Ridgeland Academy Madison, MS | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Vision Cashiers Highlands, NC | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $17,473,369 | $3,911,574 | $1,399,269 | $1,289,000 | 39 |
| 2023 | $14,952,172 | $1,711,015 | $1,007,118 | $920,000 | 53 |
| 2022 | $14,270,671 | $5,673,935 | $806,552 | $731,600 | 48 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,473,369 | $14,952,172 | $14,270,671 |
| Revenue | $3,911,574 | $1,711,015 | $5,673,935 |
| Expenses | $1,399,269 | $1,007,118 | $806,552 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,289,000 | $920,000 | $731,600 |
| Net Investment Income | $635,677 | $273,693 | $247,983 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,102,417 | $936,968 | $687,644 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists David J Cooper Sr, Joanne K Cooper, Ashleigh Cooper Leland, and Margaret Cooper Biggs as directors.
The David J Cooper Family Charitable's 2024 filing lists 4 officers; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ashleigh Cooper Leland
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
David J. Cooper Sr.
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Joanne K. Cooper
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Margaret Cooper Biggs
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: David J. Cooper Jr. (2020–2023) — 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.
Contact
Mailing address: Post Office Box 1566, Mobile, AL 36633
Phone: (251) 431-6100
Website: https://cooperfoundation.com
Frequently asked questions about The David J Cooper Family Charitable
How much does The David J Cooper Family Charitable give each year?
The David J Cooper Family Charitable gave $1.3M across 39 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $920K across 53 grants.
What is The David J Cooper Family Charitable's typical grant size?
The David J Cooper Family Charitable's median grant in 2024 was $4,000, and its average grant was $33,051, across 39 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The David J Cooper Family Charitable that year got $21K on average.
Where does The David J Cooper Family Charitable give grants?
The David J Cooper Family Charitable gives mostly in Alabama: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Mobile, AL (23 grants), Tuscaloosa, AL (3 grants), Highlands, NC (2 grants) and Cashiers, NC (2 grants).
Does The David J Cooper Family Charitable give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The David J Cooper Family Charitable's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (39 of 39) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The David J Cooper Family Charitable's largest grantees?
The David J Cooper Family Charitable's largest 2024 grantees include Mobile Carnival Association ($600,000), Mamga - Nineteen Thirty Eight Legacy ($150,000) and Dauphin Restoratin Society ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The David J Cooper Family Charitable?
The David J Cooper Family Charitable reported $17.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The David J Cooper Family Charitable fund?
The Cooper Foundation’s stated mission is to improve people’s lives by helping them secure stable housing. Its materials describe assistance with move-in costs, such as security deposits, utility deposits, and first and last month’s rent, as well as help preventing housing loss. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The David J Cooper Family Charitable?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The David J Cooper Family Charitable's EIN?
The David J Cooper Family Charitable's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-3868978. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The David J Cooper Family Charitable accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The David J Cooper Family Charitable by hand.
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