The Linn-Henley Charitable Trust concentrates philanthropic support on cultural and civic capital projects—especially performing arts, museums, and zoological institutions—primarily in the Birmingham/Alabama area. Grants are sizable and project-focused (capital campaigns, facility renovations), with occasional support for higher education infrastructure. The foundation tends to fund established cultural anchors rather than small grassroots programs.
Linn-henley Charitable Trust Uw concentrates its largest recent grants on Birmingham cultural infrastructure, with seven-figure-scale patterns showing up through repeated support for the same civic anchors. The trust gave $105,000 in 2025 and $90,000 in 2024 to Birmingham Landmarks Inc for Alabama Theatre capital work, alongside $109,000 in 2024 and $70,000 in 2025 to Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum for capital campaign support. Those awards point to a funder that backs established institutions through project-specific, capital-oriented grants rather than broad operating support. The recent record also includes support for the Birmingham Zoo, Samford University, the Alabama Symphony, Oak Hill Memorial Association, and several smaller capital or equipment purchases. The pattern is regional and highly place-based, with grant activity concentrated in Alabama and centered on Birmingham-area venues, museums, and educational facilities. Across the list, the trust favors concrete projects such as renovations, campaigns, equipment, and facility improvements. The result is a grantmaking profile built around preserving and upgrading visible community assets that already serve a public audience.
Historic preservation and performing arts are central themes. In 2025, Linn-henley Charitable Trust Uw gave $105,000 to Birmingham Landmarks Inc for Alabama Theatre capital work, after giving $90,000 to the same organization in 2024 for the same purpose. The trust also supported Virginia Samford Theatre with $10,000 for lighting equipment, showing interest in the technical infrastructure behind performances. Museum and zoo projects are another clear lane. It awarded $109,000 to Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum in 2024 and $70,000 in 2025, both for capital campaign support, and it gave $74,000 in 2024 plus $50,000 in 2025 to Birmingham Zoo Attn Bill Foster for its capital campaign. Education-related facilities appear as well: Samford University received $50,000 in 2025 for Beeson Library renovation, while Mitchell's Place received $20,000 in 2024 for a smart board.
Typical grants cluster in the middle-to-upper range of the portfolio: p25 is $15,000, median grant size is $50,000, and p75 is $72,000. The trust’s awards are project-specific and often repeat across years, as seen with Birmingham Landmarks Inc, Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum, and Birmingham Zoo receiving support in both 2024 and 2025. It is a grantmaking trust rather than a vehicle for individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. The pattern suggests one-time or multi-year capital support for named institutions rather than open-ended operating grants.
$383K
$6M
$482K
$559K
Most grants fall between $15K and $72K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$72K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in AL.
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Concentrated, relatively large grants focused on capital campaigns and facility improvements; repeat funding to the same mid-size cultural institutions and regional anchors rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Birmingham Landmarks Inc (Alabama Theatre), Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham Zoo, Alabama Symphony, Samford University
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Alabama-centered, with 100% of the listed grants going to U.S. recipients and the top giving state being Alabama. Birmingham is the dominant city in the recent record, appearing for Birmingham Landmarks Inc, Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum, Birmingham Zoo Attn Bill Foster, Alabama Symphony, Oak Hill Memorial Association, St Marys on the Highlands Church, Virginia Samford Theatre, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, and Adys Big Army. Homewood also appears through Samford University. The trust gives 0% of grants to recipients in Missouri, its headquarters state.
The trust gives mainly to established cultural and civic institutions in Alabama. Recent grants went to theater preservation, a motorsport museum, a zoo, a symphony, a university library renovation, and other capital or equipment projects tied to public-facing venues.
The grant-size distribution centers on larger project awards: p25 is $15,000, median grant size is $50,000, and p75 is $72,000. Recent awards in the list range from $7,000 to $109,000.
Yes. Birmingham Landmarks Inc received $90,000 in 2024 and $105,000 in 2025 for Alabama Theatre capital work. Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum received $109,000 in 2024 and $70,000 in 2025, and Birmingham Zoo Attn Bill Foster received $74,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025.
Its giving is regional and concentrated in Alabama. The top state by grant count is Alabama, and the recent grants list shows a strong Birmingham cluster, with Homewood appearing through Samford University.
No. The trust funds organizations rather than individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $200,000 | 2026 | DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION |
| Community Foodbank of Central AL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| ALABAMA SYMPHONY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAMFORD UNIVERSITY | HOMEWOOD, AL | $40,000 | 2026 | UPDATE JOHN L CARROLL MOOT |
| ALABAMA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $22,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MITCHELL'S PLACE | BERMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BIRMINGHAM LANDMARKS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $105,000 | 2025 | ALABAMA THEATRE CAPITAL |
| BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $70,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SAMFORD UNIVERSITY | HOMEWOOD, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | BEESON LIBRARY RENOVATION |
| BIRMINGHAM ZOO ATTN BILL FOSTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ALABAMA SYMPHONY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | MOTHERS DAY CONCERT AT |
| OAK HILL MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| St Marys on the Highlands Church | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $18,000 | 2025 | PLAYGROUND |
| BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $109,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BIRMINGHAM LANDMARKS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $90,000 | 2024 | ALABAMA THEATRE CAPITAL |
| BIRMINGHAM ZOO ATTN BILL FOSTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $74,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MITCHELL'S PLACE | BERMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2024 | SMART BOARD |
| St Marys on the Highlands Church | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $12,000 | 2024 | PLAYGROUND |
| VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATRE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2024 | LIGHTING EQUIPMENT |
| GREATER BIRMINGHAM HUMANE SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $7,500 | 2024 | PURCHASE OF NEW EQUIPMENT |
| ADYS BIG ARMY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $7,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $135,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BIRMINGHAM ZOO ATTN BILL FOSTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $80,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BIRMINGHAM LANDMARKS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $75,000 | 2023 | ALABAMA THEATRE CAPITAL |
| YMCA OF BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2023 | ROEBUCK COLLABORATIVE |
| ARC of Central Alabama | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2023 | RENOVATIONS |
| Workshops Empowerment Inc | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Oak Hill Cemetery | Birmingham, AL | $17,000 | 2023 | REPAIRS |
| VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATRE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2023 | LIGHTING EQUIPMENT |
| GREATER BIRMINGHAM HUMANE SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2023 | PURCHASE OF NEW EQUIPMENT |
| St Marys on the Highlands Church | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2023 | GED PROGRAMS AND PARENTING |
BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM
$200,000DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION
Community Foodbank of Central AL
$50,000COMMUNITY
ALABAMA SYMPHONY
$45,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ALABAMA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
$22,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM
$70,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
BIRMINGHAM ZOO ATTN BILL FOSTER
$50,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ALABAMA SYMPHONY
$50,000MOTHERS DAY CONCERT AT
OAK HILL MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
$40,000SUPPORT
St Marys on the Highlands Church
$18,000PLAYGROUND
BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM
$109,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
BIRMINGHAM ZOO ATTN BILL FOSTER
$74,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
St Marys on the Highlands Church
$12,000PLAYGROUND
VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATRE
$10,000LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
ADYS BIG ARMY
$7,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORT MUSEUM
$135,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
BIRMINGHAM ZOO ATTN BILL FOSTER
$80,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ARC of Central Alabama
$20,000RENOVATIONS
Oak Hill Cemetery
$17,000REPAIRS
VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATRE
$15,000LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
St Marys on the Highlands Church
$15,000GED PROGRAMS AND PARENTING