The Hugh Kaul Foundation
The Hugh Kaul Foundation is a private foundation based in Birmingham, Alabama. Established in 1989, it supports cultural, educational, and civic endeavors, primarily in the Birmingham metropolitan area and in Coosa and Clay counties. Its 2024 filing reports assets of about $50.4 million and $2.622 million in grants.
The Hugh Kaul Foundation at a glance
In short: The Hugh Kaul Foundation gave $2.6M across 68 grants in 2024 (avg $39K), mostly in Alabama. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,622,000
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 68
- +15.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $38,559
- -10.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $50,353,010
- +2.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (15 of 68, 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 Hugh Kaul Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing names Marcie Braswell as the contact and says to see the attached statement for application forms and materials. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Awards are limited to charitable organizations in the Greater Birmingham metropolitan area or in Clay or Coosa counties, Alabama.
- Contact
Application contact: Marcie Braswell
Mailing address: 1900 5Th Avenue North Suite 2500, Birmingham, AL 35203
Phone: (205) 264-7881
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Hugh Kaul Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of Alabama at Birmingham ($395K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
314 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 259 grants of 314 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing limits awards to charitable organizations in the Greater Birmingham metropolitan area or in Clay or Coosa counties, Alabama. In 2024, 94% of grant dollars went to recipients in Alabama and 6% to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 68 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Hugh Kaul Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 68 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 66% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 29% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 72% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $2.0M (2022) to $3.7M (2021). In 2024 it made 68 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $395,000 |
| Jefferson State Community College Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $200,000 |
| Womens Foundation of Alabama Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $200,000 |
| Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $200,000 |
| Birmingham Landmarks Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $150,000 |
| Birmingham Zoo Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $100,000 |
| Alabama Symphony Orchestra Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $100,000 |
| 16TH Street Baptist Church Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $100,000 |
| The Salvation Army Alexandria, VA | General Operating | $75,000 |
| Teach for America Alabama Birmingham, AL | General Operating | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Hugh Kaul Foundation?
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 | $50,353,010 | $4,556,075 | $3,119,018 | $2,622,000 | 68 | $2,720,728 | $4,199,563 | $3,803,825 |
| 2023 | $48,928,647 | $4,670,905 | $2,905,120 | $2,528,850 | 59 | $2,650,111 | $4,406,816 | $3,303,077 |
| 2022 | $45,995,741 | $6,161,092 | $2,577,676 | $2,044,000 | 64 | $2,186,215 | $5,949,058 | $4,038,722 |
| 2021 | $42,171,764 | $7,643,863 | $4,153,394 | $3,669,000 | 65 | $3,798,070 | $7,331,305 | $3,775,972 |
| 2020 | $38,616,878 | $2,759,957 | $2,939,810 | $2,596,000 | 58 | — | $2,462,127 | $3,233,666 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Hugh Kaul Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.8M 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 foundation’s filing describes its support as directed toward cultural, educational, and civic endeavors. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, hunger relief, historic preservation, conservation, arts and culture, and community life.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. For example, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama says it works to feed people in need and foster collaborative solutions to end hunger. Birmingham Landmarks says it preserves and protects historic buildings, including the Alabama and Lyric theatres. The Birmingham Zoo describes its purpose as exhibiting animals for education, conducting conservation and research, and sponsoring community educational activities. Opera Birmingham says it produces opera, develops talent, and promotes the art form through education and outreach.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 68 grants totaling $2,622,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $395,000, with a median of $20,000; the largest awards were primarily reported as general operating support. Notable grants included $395,000 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham; $200,000 each to Jefferson State Community College, the Women’s Foundation of Alabama, and the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama; and $150,000 to Birmingham Landmarks.
Other 2024 grants included $100,000 each to the Birmingham Zoo, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and 16th Street Baptist Church, and $50,000 each to Teach for America Alabama, the Nature Conservancy, and Birmingham-Southern College. The Women’s Foundation of Alabama describes its work as accelerating economic opportunity for women; Jefferson State Community College Foundation says it supports the college through scholarships, professional development, and college-community partnerships.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John J. McMahon Jr., Don James, Nancy E. Dunlap, Hillery Head Perkins, Samuel E. Yates, Maye Head Frei, and Elizabeth Yates Scribner as directors. Regions Bank is listed as trustee.
The Hugh Kaul Foundation's 2024 filing lists 8 officers; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Regions Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$95K (2020) → $155K (2024)
Don James
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Yates Scribner
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hillery Head Perkins
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John J. McMahon Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maye Head Frei
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy E. Dunlap
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Samuel E. Yates
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Regions Bank Trust Dept (2023) — Trustee
- Former: H. Corbin Day (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: John Kaul Greene (2020–2022) — 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 $155K, to Regions Bank (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Hugh Kaul Foundation
How much does The Hugh Kaul Foundation give each year?
The Hugh Kaul Foundation gave $2.6M across 68 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 59 grants.
What is The Hugh Kaul Foundation's typical grant size?
The Hugh Kaul Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $38,559, across 68 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Hugh Kaul Foundation that year got $36K on average.
Where does The Hugh Kaul Foundation give grants?
The Hugh Kaul Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Birmingham, AL (56 grants), Mountain BRK, AL (3 grants) and Alexandria, VA (2 grants).
Does The Hugh Kaul Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 96% of The Hugh Kaul Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (65 of 68) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Hugh Kaul Foundation's largest grantees?
The Hugh Kaul Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of Alabama at Birmingham ($395,000), Jefferson State Community College ($200,000) and Womens Foundation of Alabama ($200,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Hugh Kaul Foundation?
The Hugh Kaul Foundation reported $50.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Hugh Kaul Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing describes its support as directed toward cultural, educational, and civic endeavors. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education, hunger relief, historic preservation, conservation, arts and culture, and community life. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Hugh Kaul Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing names Marcie Braswell as the contact and says to see the attached statement for application forms and materials. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Hugh Kaul Foundation's EIN?
The Hugh Kaul Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-6158725. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Hugh Kaul Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust
Birmingham, AL
The Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust funds a range of charitable work, including community services, education, historic preservation, and mental health and disability services, with awards limited to Greater Birmingham. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,500 to $150,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing describes an application process but does not explicitly say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$14.1M
Grants
73
Total Given
$889K
Robert R Meyer Foundation
Birmingham, AL
The foundation supports a range of charitable work, including community services, food assistance, historic preservation, theatre, education, and land conservation, with most funding going to Alabama organizations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000, with a median of $20,000. It does not limit grants to preselected organizations; eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can contact Regions Bank for application materials, with spring and fall deadlines.
Assets
$35.7M
Grants
75
Total Given
$2.1M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
The Joseph S Bruno Charitable
Birmingham, AL
The Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation funds education and health as primary priorities, along with community needs and arts and culture, in greater Birmingham. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts online letters of inquiry twice a year; full applications are by invitation only.
Assets
$18.0M
Grants
40
Total Given
$550K
Hill Crest Foundation Inc
Mountain Brook, AL
Hill Crest Foundation funds tax-exempt organizations, with recent grants supporting children, hunger relief, health, education, arts, and community programs, primarily in Alabama. Its 2025 grants ranged from $800 to $300,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts written applications describing the request’s purpose and the applicant organization; no deadline is stated.
Assets
$73.0M
Grants
91
Total Given
$3.1M
Orlean & Ralph W Beeson Fund
Birmingham, AL
The fund supports youth education, humanitarian relief, social services, and Christian ministry, with grants spanning needs such as homelessness, healthcare, food security, and international aid. In 2024, grants ranged from $6,000 to $382,000, with a median of $10,000; most funding went to Alabama, though it also supports work elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally. Applications are accepted through the Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation’s annual and small-grant processes, and emergency grants are available by request to organizations.
Assets
$53.5M
Grants
65
Total Given
$1.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Alabama
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Hugh Kaul Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-hugh-kaul-foundation-morg_a0741a5038864a4fa1811a361b1d637d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_636158725_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Hugh Kaul Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-hugh-kaul-foundation-morg_a0741a5038864a4fa1811a361b1d637d},
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 Hugh Kaul 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.
The Hugh Kaul Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?