The Ray Foundation
The Ray Foundation is a private foundation, based in Birmingham, AL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $908K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $30K. Net investment income was $31K.
The Ray Foundation at a glance
In short: The Ray Foundation gave $30K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Alabama. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $29,900
- +19.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +166.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $3,738
- -55.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $908,299
- +60.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Alabama (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Ray Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Way of Central Alabama ($10K). Together the top 8 received $30K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 20 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Ray Foundation gives
- Giving grew 66% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 75% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2021) to $30K (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $30K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Way of Central Alabama Birmingham, AL | General Donation | $10,000 |
| Parkinson Assn of Alabama Birmingham, AL | General Donation | $7,000 |
| Children's Harbor Birmingham, AL | General Donation | $5,000 |
| Children's Hospital Birmingham, AL | General Donation | $5,000 |
| YMCA - Mountain Brook Mountain Brook, AL | General Donation | $1,000 |
| St Jude's Children's Hospital Memphis, TN | General Donation | $1,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation Staten Island, NY | General Donation | $500 |
| Two Rivers Art Council Lewiston, IL | General Donation | $400 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $908,299 | $39,398 | $40,190 | $29,900 | 8 | $29,900 | $31,218 | $39,996 |
| 2024 | $565,740 | $27,951 | $30,226 | $25,000 | 3 | $25,000 | $10,215 | $26,300 |
| 2023 | $491,613 | $6,072 | $34,649 | $25,500 | 4 | $25,500 | $3,664 | $23,858 |
| 2022 | $479,319 | $19,269 | $29,265 | $18,000 | 3 | $18,000 | $13,695 | $25,817 |
| 2021 | $586,757 | $389,926 | $24,769 | $15,000 | 2 | — | $211,382 | $21,201 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ray Foundation reported a distributable amount of $40K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Ray Foundation is led by Henry B. Ray Jr., President on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Henry B. Ray Jr.
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Carolyn M. Ray
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Ray Foundation
How much does The Ray Foundation give each year?
The Ray Foundation gave $30K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $25K across 3 grants.
What is The Ray Foundation's typical grant size?
The Ray Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $3,738, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Ray Foundation give grants?
The Ray Foundation gives mostly in Alabama: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Birmingham, AL (4 grants).
Does The Ray Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Ray Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Ray Foundation's largest grantees?
The Ray Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include United Way of Central Alabama ($10,000), Parkinson Assn of Alabama ($7,000) and Children's Harbor ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Ray Foundation?
The Ray Foundation reported $908K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $30K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $40K (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 is The Ray Foundation's EIN?
The Ray Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1159873. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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