The Hugh Kaul Foundation
The Hugh Kaul Foundation is a private foundation established in 1989 and based in Birmingham, Alabama. Operating as a 501(c)(3) organization, it functions as an independent foundation with a focus on philanthropic grantmaking to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$50.4M
+2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
+3.7% YoY
Grant Count
68
+15.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
-10.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations with primary interests in:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Human services
- Health
- Community development
- Children and youth services
- Family services
- Environment
The foundation gives primarily for arts, education, children and youth services, family services, and community development.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
approximately $15,000
Average Grant
approximately $31,900
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations located in:
- Greater Birmingham metropolitan area
- Clay and Coosa counties in Alabama
- Primary funding in Alabama, Virginia, and Texas
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $50,353,010
- Total Revenues: $4,556,075
- Total Expenses: $3,119,018
- Total Giving: $2,622,000
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $48,928,647
- Total Revenues: $4,670,905
- Total Expenses: $2,905,120
- Investment Income and Dividends: $866,365
- Net Rental Income: $4,488
The foundation maintains zero liabilities and operates with one employee.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $50,353,010 | $48,928,647 | $45,995,741 |
| Revenue | $4,556,075 | $4,670,905 | $6,161,092 |
| Expenses | $3,119,018 | $2,905,120 | $2,577,676 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,720,728 | $2,650,111 | $2,186,215 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,199,563 | $4,406,816 | $5,949,058 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,803,825 | $3,303,077 | $4,038,722 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Jefferson State Community College ($200,000), Womens Foundation of Alabama ($200,000), Community Food Bank of Central Alabama ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $200,000 |
| BIRMINGHAM ZOO BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| BETTER BASICS BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $20,000 |
| RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| FREEDOM RAIN INC DBA LOVELADY CENTER BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $15,000 |
| METROPOLITAN SCHOOL ARTS ALEXANDRIA, VA | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| TERRIFIC NEW THEATRE BIRMINGHAM, AL | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustees/Directors:
- John Kaul Greene
- John J. McMahon Jr.
- Don James
- Regions Bank (Trust Officer)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR JOHN J MCMAHON JR | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MR DON JAMES | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| DR NANCY E DUNLAP | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MS HILLERY HEAD PERKINS | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MR SAMUEL E YATES | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MS MAYE HEAD FREI | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MS ELIZABETH YATES SCRIBNER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| REGIONS BANK | TRUSTEE | 1 | $154,945 |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 11647, Birmingham, AL 35202-1647
- Phone: 205-820-3141
- EIN: 63-6158725
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Hugh Kaul Foundation fund?
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations with primary interests in: • Arts and culture • Education • Human services • Health • Community development • Children and youth services • Family services • Environment The foundation gives primarily for arts, education, children and youth services, family services, and community development.
How do I apply for a grant from The Hugh Kaul Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 58 grants in 2023 and 55+ grants in 2024 • Typical award range: $4,000–$750,000 • Median grant size: approximately $15,000 • Average grant size: approximately $31,900 **Types of Support:** • General operating support • Project support • Building funds • Equipment **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • University of Alabama at Birmingham Women's Club: $395,000 • Women's Foundation of Alabama: $200,000 • Community Food Bank of Central Alabama: $200,000 • Alabama Symphony O…
Where does The Hugh Kaul Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports nonprofit organizations located in: • Greater Birmingham metropolitan area • Clay and Coosa counties in Alabama • Primary funding in Alabama, Virginia, and Texas
What size grants does The Hugh Kaul Foundation award?
In 2024, The Hugh Kaul Foundation awarded 68 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Hugh Kaul Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Hugh Kaul Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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