The Robert and Joanna Cunningham
The Robert and Joanna Cunningham Charitable Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in Alabama in 1993. Based in Mobile, Alabama, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to philanthropic giving in the Southeast.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$816K
-14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$248K
+102.7% YoY
Grant Count
26
+8.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+87.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Robert and Joanna Cunningham reported a distributable amount of $60K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is making distributions of income for the benefit of disadvantaged, underprivileged, and needy children in Baldwin and Mobile counties, Alabama. The foundation supports charitable purposes including world-class performance, superior dance training, and community arts programs.
Grantmaking
The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected charities only, suggesting a limited or closed application process for new grantees.
Grant Range
$2,000
Average Grant
amount: Approximately $100–$115,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Mobile County, Alabama
- Baldwin County, Alabama
- Secondary focus areas include Tennessee and Florida
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $949,197
- Total revenues: $101,064
- Total expenses: $127,692
- Total liabilities: $0
- Tax-exempt status: Since March 1993
Asset Ranking: The foundation ranks in the top 50% of foundations by asset size nationally.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $816,102 | $949,197 | $954,842 |
| Revenue | $126,333 | $101,064 | $58,739 |
| Expenses | $259,428 | $127,692 | $74,024 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $248,100 | $122,400 | $67,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $116,385 | $95,963 | $53,995 |
| Distributable Amount | $60,061 | $60,910 | $65,033 |
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
89 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bayside Academy ($100,000), International Game Fish Association ($62,500), Wilmer Hall ($39,100).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA WILDLIFE FEDERATION MILLBROOK, AL | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $250 |
| BAYSIDE ACADEMY DAPHNE, AL | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $100,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL GULF COAST MOBILE, AL | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $250 |
| CAMP TUOLUMNE TRAILS GROVELAND, CA | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $3,000 |
| CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER MONTGOMERY, AL | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| DEMOCRACY FORWARD FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| HOME OF GRACE FOR WOMEN EIGHT MILE, AL | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $3,000 |
| INTERNATIONAL GAME FISH ASSOCIATION DANIA, FL | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATIONS CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $62,500 |
| LIGHT OF THE VILLAGE PRICHARD, AL | TO AID IN THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Officers:
- Robert T Cunningham Jr — President
- Robert T Cunningham III — Director
- Joanna M Cunningham — Director
- Richard Mitchell — Secretary
- Brady C Schwartzman — Director
- Jacob L Cunningham — Director
All board members serve without compensation and on a volunteer basis.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT T CUNNINGHAM JR | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| ROBERT T CUNNINGHAM III | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JOANNA M CUNNINGHAM | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RICHARD MITCHELL | SECRETARY | — | — |
| BRADY C SCHWARTZMAN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JACOB L CUNNINGHAM | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Robert and Joanna Cunningham fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is making distributions of income for the benefit of disadvantaged, underprivileged, and needy children in Baldwin and Mobile counties, Alabama. The foundation supports charitable purposes including world-class performance, superior dance training, and community arts programs.
How do I apply for a grant from The Robert and Joanna Cunningham?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $122,400 • Number of grants (2023): 24 grants • Median grant size: $2,000 • Grant range: $100 to $63,000 • Average grant amount: Approximately $100–$115,000 **Application Process:** The foundation indicates it makes contributions to preselected charities only, suggesting a limited or closed application process for new grantees. **Recent Grants:** Notable 2023 grant activity includes a $62,500 award to the International Game Fish Association to aid in …
Where does The Robert and Joanna Cunningham make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Mobile County, Alabama • Baldwin County, Alabama • Secondary focus areas include Tennessee and Florida
What size grants does The Robert and Joanna Cunningham award?
In 2024, The Robert and Joanna Cunningham awarded 26 grants totaling $248K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Robert and Joanna Cunningham required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Robert and Joanna Cunningham reported a distributable amount of $60K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Robert and Joanna Cunningham's EIN?
The Robert and Joanna Cunningham's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1055063. 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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