Walker Area Community Foundation Inc
Walker Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit, grantmaking organization established in 1995 and headquartered in Jasper, Alabama. The foundation was created from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Walker Regional Medical Center. It operates as a public charity and community foundation with a mission to build permanent capital to facilitate community conversations, inspire action, and empower partners in Walker County and surrounding areas.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$151.9M
+18.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.6M
+46.1% YoY
Grant Count
82
+10.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$92K
+31.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Walker Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit, grantmaking organization building the permanent capital needed in our area to daily facilitate community conversations, inspire action, and empower partners.
Community Focus Areas:
- Collaborative Planning for Economic Development
- Lifelong Learning & Success
- Health, Wellbeing, & Quality of Life
- Next Generation Leadership
The foundation provides grants to promote the welfare of citizens in the area traditionally served by Walker County Hospital, as well as to 501(c)(3) organizations outside the general service area as recommended by fund advisors and approved by the Board of Directors.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded 65 grants totaling $6,484,659 in 2024. It operates donor-advised funds through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves Walker County, Alabama and the area traditionally served by Walker County Hospital. It also makes grants to organizations in Alabama, Iowa, and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $151,933,359
- Total revenues: $32,625,183
- Total expenses: $10,453,655
- Annual revenue: $15,824,086
- Total liabilities: $34,200
Workforce:
- 8 employees (20% year-over-year growth)
Rating:
- Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 97% score
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $151,933,359 | $127,913,751 | $114,594,345 |
| Revenue | $32,625,183 | $9,167,031 | $36,030,350 |
| Expenses | $10,453,655 | $7,112,593 | $5,508,194 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,771,421 | $2,501,725 | $2,359,396 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Walker Area Community Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hartt Inc ($931,217), Big Oak Ranch ($840,000), Free Will Baptist Children's Home ($285,515).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALABAMA LIONS SIGHT BIRMINGHAM, AL | MOBILE EYE SCREENING PROGRAM IN WALKER COUNTY | $40,000 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BIRMINGHAM, AL | JOE LEE GRIFFIN HOPE LODGE | $25,000 |
| BACKYARD BLESSINGS SUMITON, AL | CHILDREN'S BACKPACK FEEDING PROGRAM. | $90,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS BIRMINGHAM, AL | WALKER COUNTY PROGRAMMING | $21,318 |
| BUNDLES OF HOPE DIAPER BANK BIRMINGHAM, AL | DIAPERS FOR WALKER COUNTY | $36,000 |
| CAMP MCDOWELL NAUVOO, AL | KITCHEN RENOVATIONS AND FARM SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS | $42,200 |
| CARL ELLIOTT REGIONAL LIBRARY JASPER, AL | STORYWALK PROJECT, LIBBY, AND SECURITY CAMERAS. | $8,000 |
| CHILDREN'S OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM, AL | PSYCHIATRIC INTAKE REPSONSE CENTER | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL AL JASPER, AL | 2022 HOLIDAY BOX PROGRAM | $55,000 |
| WALKER COUNTY DHR JASPER, AL | GENERAL DONATIONS | $81,201 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Paul Kennedy – President/Chief Administrative Officer
- Cristy Moody – Executive Vice President
- Harris Rhodes – Chief Financial Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONALDSON EMILY | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ULZ LAURA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAIRD MATTHEW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JACKSON EDWARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NOLEN JR ROBERT B | SECRETARY AND TREASURER | 1 | — |
| STUKES BETH THORNE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WARREN J DOUGLAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CALLAHAN KEVIN F | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| THORNLEY SCOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALLEN ROBBIN REED | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GILBERT DREW | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENNEDY PAUL | PRESIDENT | 40 | $185,405 |
| RHODES HARRIS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $108,383 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in major community initiatives:
City of Jasper Presents $1M to Walker Area Community Foundation for Heman**Bankhead House & Heritage Center** – In 2010, the foundation made its largest gift to date with the purchase and renovation of the Bankhead House & Heritage Center, which serves as a hub for history, cultural events, and the arts.
**Disaster Response** – In 2011, the foundation shifted to become a true community partner during tornado relief efforts in Walker County, coordinating response efforts and becoming recognized statewide for its effectiveness.
Walker Area Foundation donates $100,000 to the WACC | Free Press | walkermn.com**Heman Drummond Center** – The foundation has been involved in major funding initiatives for the Heman Drummond Center, with the City of Jasper presenting $1 million to the foundation for the project and $8 million in state funding announced.
Walker Area Foundation donates $100,000 to the WACC | Free Press | walkermn.com**Fall 2024 Grant Recipients** – The foundation announced recipients of fall 2024 competitive grants.
WACF announces Fall 2024 grant recipients | News | mountaineagle.comSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Walker Area Community Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** The Walker Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit, grantmaking organization building the permanent capital needed in our area to daily facilitate community conversations, inspire action, and empower partners. **Community Focus Areas:** • Collaborative Planning for Economic Development • Lifelong Learning & Success • Health, Wellbeing, & Quality of Life • Next Generation Leadership The foundation provides grants to promote the welfare of citizens in the area traditionally served b…
How do I apply for a grant from Walker Area Community Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $7,653,825 (2024) • Typical award range: $5,474 to $1,105,000 • Recent notable grants (2024): • UniteUS: $1,105,000 (Faith Celebration and Commitment Events) • Hartt: $931,217 (General Donations) • Big Oak Ranch: $840,000 (General Donation) The foundation awarded 65 grants totaling $6,484,659 in 2024. It operates donor-advised funds through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds. **Active Grant Opportunity:** • WACF Community Fund Gra…
Where does Walker Area Community Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily serves Walker County, Alabama and the area traditionally served by Walker County Hospital. It also makes grants to organizations in Alabama, Iowa, and Colorado.
What size grants does Walker Area Community Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Walker Area Community Foundation Inc awarded 82 grants totaling $7.6M — an average of about $92K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Walker Area Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Walker Area Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1154984. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Walker Area Community Foundation Inc'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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