The James I Harrison Family Foundation
The James I Harrison Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Established in 1997 in Georgia, the foundation focuses on charitable giving primarily within Tuscaloosa County and surrounding areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.8M
-5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$720K
+64.5% YoY
Grant Count
34
+3.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+59.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The James I Harrison Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $370K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives primarily to charitable organizations in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Most grants are awarded based on the proactive efforts of the foundation president. Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Science and STEM Education
The foundation also provides support to homeless shelters and nonprofit management initiatives.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $200,000.
How to Apply
** Information regarding formal application procedures is not specified in available sources. The foundation notes that most grants are awarded based on the proactive efforts of the foundation president.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, with some giving extending to Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $4,782,160
- Total Annual Giving: $720,000 (most recent filing)
- EIN: 58-2327810
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,782,160 | $5,044,879 | $5,358,035 |
| Revenue | $498,957 | $162,781 | $-89,266 |
| Expenses | $761,676 | $475,512 | $491,490 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $722,249 | $439,999 | $450,349 |
| Net Investment Income | $459,917 | $127,268 | $74,151 |
| Distributable Amount | $369,996 | $336,911 | $349,803 |
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
160 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Community Foundation of West Alabam ($200,000), Holy Spirit Catholic Church ($100,000), United Way of West Alabama ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Spirit Catholic Church Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $100,000 |
| Nick's Kids Foundation Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $24,000 |
| Community Foundation of West Alabam Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Tuscaloosa Symphony Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $12,500 |
| DCH Foundation Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Hospice of West Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Shelton State Community College Fou Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Shirley Place Foundation Inc Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $5,000 |
| United Way of West Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $60,000 |
| Univ of AL Opera Guild Tuscaloosa, AL | Charitable | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
James I. Harrison, Jr. served as the foundation's contact person and president. Harrison was a retired pharmacist, business leader, and philanthropist who founded and served as CEO of Harco, Inc. Drug Stores, Carport Auto Parts, Inc., and Totalcare, Inc. Home Health. He passed away on February 24, 2020, at age 87.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peggy T Harrison | Director | 1 | — |
| Lazard Freres Co LLC | Trustee | 15 | $35,137 |
Contact Information
Address: 3925 Rice Mine Road NE, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406
Phone: 205-345-2400
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The James I Harrison Family Foundation fund?
The foundation gives primarily to charitable organizations in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Most grants are awarded based on the proactive efforts of the foundation president. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Science and STEM Education The foundation also provides support to homeless shelters and nonprofit management initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from The James I Harrison Family Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $200,000. **Recent Activity:** The foundation distributed $720,000 in total giving according to the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024). Historical giving data shows $437,750 in grants to homeless shelters and nonprofit management categories. **Application Process:** Information regarding formal application procedures is not specified in available sources. The foundation notes that most grants are awarded based on the proactive efforts of …
Where does The James I Harrison Family Foundation make grants?
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, with some giving extending to Missouri.
What size grants does The James I Harrison Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The James I Harrison Family Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $720K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The James I Harrison Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The James I Harrison Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $370K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The James I Harrison Family Foundation's EIN?
The James I Harrison Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-2327810. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The James I Harrison Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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