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 charitable organizations, with 94% of grant dollars going to recipients in Alabama.
The David J Cooper Family Charitable at a glance
In short: The David J Cooper Family Charitable gave $1.3M across 39 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in Alabama. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,289,000
- +40.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 39
- -26.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $33,051
- +90.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $4,000
- Total assets
- $17,473,369
- +16.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (20 of 38, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Alabama (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The David J Cooper Family Charitable
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Post Office Box 1566, Mobile, AL 36633
Phone: (251) 431-6100
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The David J Cooper Family Charitable funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that Alabama recipients received 94% of grant dollars, North Carolina recipients 3%, and Mississippi recipients 2%. Florida and District of Columbia recipients each accounted for 0% as reported in the filing.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The David J Cooper Family Charitable open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 38 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $48K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 39% 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.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
Ready to take the next step with The David J Cooper Family Charitable?
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 | $17,473,369 | $3,911,574 | $1,399,269 | $1,289,000 | 39 | $1,289,000 | $635,677 | $1,102,417 |
| 2023 | $14,952,172 | $1,711,015 | $1,007,118 | $920,000 | 53 | $920,000 | $273,693 | $936,968 |
| 2022 | $14,270,671 | $5,673,935 | $806,552 | $731,600 | 48 | $731,600 | $247,983 | $687,644 |
| 2021 | $9,444,848 | $4,166,838 | $639,105 | $573,000 | 38 | $573,000 | $338,334 | $601,449 |
| 2020 | $5,910,459 | $770,453 | $474,891 | $432,750 | 35 | — | $490,693 | $432,306 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations involved in Mobile Mardi Gras and cultural heritage, community initiatives, education, music, and veterans’ services.
The Mobile Carnival Association describes its mission as promoting education and civic advancement and supporting the people of Mobile through Mardi Gras and related activities. Mamga Nineteen Thirty Eight Legacy says it works to promote the historical and cultural significance of the Mobile Mardi Gras Association while serving the community through programs and events. Vision Cashiers describes its work as identifying community initiatives and encouraging actions to improve quality of life in the greater Cashiers area. Brevard Music Center says it teaches gifted young musicians to prepare and perform musical works. Wounded Warrior Project describes its work as supporting the well-being of post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 39 grants totaling $1,289,000. Individual grants ranged from $500 to $600,000, with a median of $4,000. Listed grants were designated unrestricted.
Among the largest grants were $600,000 to Mobile Carnival Association, $150,000 to Mamga Nineteen Thirty Eight Legacy, $100,000 to Dauphin Restoration Society, $58,000 to the University of Alabama, and $50,000 to Mobile Big Band Society. Other listed awards included $25,000 to Vision Cashiers, $20,000 to Mobile Carnival Museum, $5,000 to Brevard Music Center, and $1,000 to Wounded Warrior Project.
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.
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 $22K 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 available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations involved in Mobile Mardi Gras and cultural heritage, community initiatives, education, music, and veterans’ services. 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 and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. 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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The David J Cooper Family Charitable funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-david-j-cooper-family-charitable-morg_11a472d067674e289351547a241cf6e2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_263868978_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The David J Cooper Family Charitable funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-david-j-cooper-family-charitable-morg_11a472d067674e289351547a241cf6e2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 David J Cooper Family Charitable'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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