The Johnny and Kathryn Wright Foundation concentrates its giving on faith-based organizations in the Birmingham area, with substantial support for Christian education, church ministries, and religiously affiliated youth programs. A large portion of funds go to a handful of repeat grantees—particularly a mission-focused aviation/relief group and a prominent local Christian school—indicating prioritized, relationship-driven philanthropy rather than broad, small-dollar grants. The foundation appears focused on sustaining core partners that deliver religious education, youth ministry, and mission services.
Concentrated and relationship-driven: few, large grants with multiple repeat payments to core grantees rather than one-off, widely distributed grants. Majority of giving is restricted to faith-based recipients and program/charitable contributions.
The Johnny and Kathryn Wright Foundation’s largest recent grant was a $907,766 charitable contribution to Aero Missions Inc in 2023, setting the tone for a portfolio that repeatedly backs mission aviation and faith-based work. Across the recent grants list, the foundation also gave $337,175 to Briarwood Christian in 2025 and $195,000 to Aero Missions Inc in 2024, showing sustained support for a small set of recurring partners rather than scattered one-time awards. Its giving is centered on Christian education, church-affiliated ministries, and mission support, with multiple grants tied to Birmingham-area institutions and religious programs. The pattern includes both major gifts and smaller operating-style contributions, ranging from support for school and education funds to ministries, camps, and mission organizations. Several recipients appear more than once across the available years, including Aero Missions Inc, Briarwood Christian, Baptist World Mission, Smc Educational Service Fund, and Greystone Foundation, which points to ongoing relationships that anchor the foundation’s grantmaking. The overall picture is of a local faith-based funder that concentrates its resources on a narrow circle of organizations serving Christian education, missions, and related community activities.
Christian education is one of the clearest lanes in the foundation’s recent giving. It awarded $337,175 to Briarwood Christian in 2025 and $143,200 in 2024, alongside a $64,650 grant in 2023, all indicating repeated backing for the same Birmingham institution. Mission support is another major focus: Aero Missions Inc received $195,000 in 2024 and $125,000 in 2025 after a much larger 2023 contribution. The foundation also supports faith-based youth and camp programs, including $100,000 to Camp Grace in Mobile in 2025 and $7,000 to Pine Cove in Tyler in 2023. Educational and ministry-adjacent funds appear as well, such as $100,000 and $10,000 to Smc Educational Service Fund in Huntsville in 2024 and 2025.
Typical grants are modest compared with the largest awards: the p25 is $1,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $15,092. The recent record shows a mix of large charitable contributions and smaller recurring gifts, with several organizations appearing in multiple years. That repeat pattern is visible in the grant list rather than a one-off approach. The foundation is a private foundation and does not fund individuals. The data also points to direct charitable contributions and general operating-style support rather than program-related investments or an application-driven grant model.
$625K
$2.7M
$1.3M
$658K
Most grants fall between $2K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Notable grantees: Aero Missions Inc, Briarwood Christian, Camp Grace, SMC Educational Service Fund
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Alabama. Recipients in the foundation’s HQ state account for 83% of grants, and Alabama is also the top state by grant count. Birmingham appears repeatedly, including Briarwood Christian, Aero Missions Inc, Make a Wish Foundation, Children’s Hospital, North Star Ministry, Greystone Foundation, and Girl Scouts. Other Alabama recipients include Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Wilsonville, Chelsea, Columbiana, Altoona, and North Jacksonville. Outside Alabama, the recent list includes only a small number of grants to organizations in Tennessee, Indiana, and Texas.
Its recent grants center on Christian education, church ministries, mission aviation and relief, and faith-based youth programs. Examples in the data include repeated support for Briarwood Christian, Aero Missions Inc, Camp Grace, Smc Educational Service Fund, and Baptist World Mission.
Typical grant size is relatively small compared with the foundation’s biggest gifts: the p25 is $1,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $15,092. The recent list includes both five-figure contributions and a much larger seven-figure gift to Aero Missions Inc.
Yes. Alabama is the top state by grant count, and 83% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Birmingham is a recurring recipient city, alongside Mobile, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Wilsonville, Chelsea, Columbiana, Altoona, and North Jacksonville.
Yes. The recent grants list shows multiple recurring recipients across years, including Aero Missions Inc, Briarwood Christian, Baptist World Mission, Smc Educational Service Fund, Greystone Foundation, Children’s Hospital, and Make a Wish Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-time grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $337,175 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AERO MISSIONS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $125,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CAMP GRACE | MOBILE, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CRIMSON TIDE FOUNDATION | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SMC EDUCATIONAL SERVICE FUND | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAPTIST WORLD MISSION | DECATUR, AL | $7,212 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| KING STABLES | WILSONVILLE, AL | $5,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GREYSTONE FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ALABAMA HUNTER JUMPER ASSOCIATION | CHELSEA, AL | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS INC | HARRISON, TN | $4,949 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GIRL SCOUTS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $3,800 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NORTH STAR SOCCER MINISTRIES | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MACON PICKLE BALL ASSOCIATION | MACON, GA | $1,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| USA FEDERATION SPORT CHEERING | DALLAS, TX | $1,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WOUNDED SPIRIT MINISTRIES INC | WINONA LAKE, IN | $412 | 2025 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AERO MISSIONS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $195,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $143,200 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SMC EDUCATIONAL SERVICE FUND | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $100,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $17,520 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| NORTH STAR MINISTRY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $8,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAPTIST WORLD MISSION | DECATUR, AL | $5,151 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GAMECOCK NIL | NORTH JACKSONVILLE, AL | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GREYSTONE FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS INC | HARRISON, TN | $3,093 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| KUSTOM EVENT | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $2,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| ASHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | ASHVILLE, AL | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BDT PARENTS CLUB | HOOVER, AL | $1,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CELEBRATE BIRMINGHAM | HOMEWOOD, AL | $1,367 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WOUNDED SPIRIT MINISTRIES INC | WINONA LAKE, IN | $1,238 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GIRL SCOUTS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CALERA MIDDLE SCHOOL | MONTEVALLO, AL | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| AERO MISSIONS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $907,766 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $64,650 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PERRY NIX | ALTOONA, AL | $26,349 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $16,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| WOUNDED SPIRIT MINISTRIES INC | WINONA LAKE, IN | $12,366 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| PINE COVE | TYLER, TX | $7,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAPTIST WORLD MISSION | DECATUR, AL | $6,182 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SHELBY HUMANE SOCIETY | COLUMBIANA, AL | $5,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS INC | HARRISON, TN | $3,711 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GREYSTONE FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $1,500 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| GIRL SCOUTS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $1,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| CELEBRATE BIRMINGHAM | HOMEWOOD, AL | $990 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
| SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $500 | 2023 | CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION |
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN
$337,175CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
AERO MISSIONS INC
$125,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CAMP GRACE
$100,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CRIMSON TIDE FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SMC EDUCATIONAL SERVICE FUND
$10,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAPTIST WORLD MISSION
$7,212CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
KING STABLES
$5,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
GREYSTONE FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ALABAMA HUNTER JUMPER ASSOCIATION
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS INC
$4,949CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
NORTH STAR SOCCER MINISTRIES
$2,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
MACON PICKLE BALL ASSOCIATION
$1,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
USA FEDERATION SPORT CHEERING
$1,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WOUNDED SPIRIT MINISTRIES INC
$412CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
AERO MISSIONS INC
$195,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN
$143,200CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SMC EDUCATIONAL SERVICE FUND
$100,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
NORTH STAR MINISTRY
$8,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAPTIST WORLD MISSION
$5,151CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
GAMECOCK NIL
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
GREYSTONE FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS INC
$3,093CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
KUSTOM EVENT
$2,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
ASHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
$2,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BDT PARENTS CLUB
$1,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CELEBRATE BIRMINGHAM
$1,367CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WOUNDED SPIRIT MINISTRIES INC
$1,238CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CALERA MIDDLE SCHOOL
$1,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
AERO MISSIONS INC
$907,766CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BRIARWOOD CHRISTIAN
$64,650CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PERRY NIX
$26,349CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
WOUNDED SPIRIT MINISTRIES INC
$12,366CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
PINE COVE
$7,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAPTIST WORLD MISSION
$6,182CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SHELBY HUMANE SOCIETY
$5,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
BAPTIST INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS INC
$3,711CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
GREYSTONE FOUNDATION
$1,500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
GIRL SCOUTS
$1,000CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
CELEBRATE BIRMINGHAM
$990CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION
SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL
$500CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION