The Pete M Hanna Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on a very small set of large grants, primarily supporting vision/ disability research through the Helen Keller Foundation and local higher education in Alabama through Samford University. Most dollars have gone to a repeat grantee (Helen Keller Foundation), while a single substantial award supported a regional university, indicating a mix of national issue-focused philanthropy and local institutional support.
Concentrated, few large grants: repeat multi-grant support to a core national grantee (Helen Keller Foundation) plus one sizeable local institutional grant to a university; infrequent, high-value awards rather than many small grants.
Pete M Hanna Charitable Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeat support for the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, with three consecutive $100,000 grants from 2023 through 2025. That pattern points to sustained backing for vision- and disability-related research rather than one-off project funding. A second major thread is local higher education: Samford University received $124,557 in 2023 and $71,511 in 2024 for programs. Beyond those two anchors, the foundation also funds a mix of Alabama-based service organizations and selected regional and national nonprofits. Recent awards include support for Two by Two Animal Rescue, Herchoice, The Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command, Big Oak Ranch Inc, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Hand in Paw, and Wellhouse. The foundation’s grants in the recent list are almost entirely program support, including some scholarship and development funding. The pattern suggests a funder that combines recurring institutional support with targeted awards to organizations serving animals, families, students, and community programs, especially in Alabama.
Vision and blindness research appears to be a core concern. The Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education received $100,000 in 2023, $100,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2025 for support of programs. Higher education is another visible area. Samford University received $124,557 in 2023 and $71,511 in 2024, also for support of programs. The foundation also backs social-service and community organizations. The Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command received $50,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025, while Big Oak Ranch Inc received $44,400 in 2023, $43,500 in 2024, and $43,200 in 2025. Animal welfare and relationship-based support show up as well: Greater Birmingham Humane Society received $41,000 in 2023 and $40,000 in both 2024 and 2025, and Hand in Paw received $35,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Typical grants cluster at modest-to-mid levels, with a p25 of $2,500, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $24,090. The recent list also shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, especially Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, Samford University, The Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command, Big Oak Ranch Inc, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Hand in Paw, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The foundation is a private charitable foundation with assets of $1,361,196 and annual grants of $2,529,349. Its grants are primarily program support, with some scholarship and development program funding.
$472K
$2.2M
$1.4M
$538K
Most grants fall between $3K and $24K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$24K
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Notable grantees: Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, Samford University
Giving is concentrated in Alabama, which accounts for 69% of grants, and the top state by grant count is also AL. Birmingham appears repeatedly among recipients, including Samford University, Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, Herchoice, The Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, and Hand in Paw. Other Alabama recipients include Helena, Springville, Odenville, and Tuscaloosa. Outside Alabama, the recent list includes Atlanta, Charlotte, and Kansas City, and the country distribution shows all grants to US recipients.
Recent grants go to organizations working in vision and disability research, higher education, social services, animal welfare, and faith-based or youth development programs. Named recipients include the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, Samford University, The Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The grant-size distribution is relatively broad but centered on smaller awards: p25 is $2,500, median grant size is $5,000, and p75 is $24,090. The recent list also includes larger program grants such as $124,557 to Samford University and $100,000 awards to the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years in the recent grants list, including the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, Samford University, The Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command, Big Oak Ranch Inc, Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Hand in Paw, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Alabama is the main recipient state, with 69% of grants going to recipients in AL and Alabama listed as the top state by grant count. Birmingham is a frequent recipient city, along with other Alabama locations such as Helena, Springville, Odenville, and Tuscaloosa.
The clearest pattern is repeated program support for a small set of organizations. The Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education received $100,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Samford University received $124,557 in 2023 and $71,511 in 2024.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SALVATION ARMY BIRMINGHAM AREA COMMAND | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| BIG OAK RANCH INC | SPRINGVILLE, AL | $58,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| ADY'S BIG ARMY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| HAND IN PAW | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $35,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (TUSCALOOSA) | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $30,000 | 2026 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| HERCHOICE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $26,750 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $25,000 | 2026 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| GREATER BIRMINGHAM HUMANE SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| TAPS ANIMAL SHELTER | PEKIN, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PANAMA CITY | PANAMA CITY, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| SAMFORD UNIVERSITY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| COMMUNITY KITCHENS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| THE BELL CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| COAST GUARD FOUNDATION | STONINGTON, CT | $10,000 | 2026 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SOUTHEAST LAW INSTITUTE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| IMMANUEL COUNSELING MINISTRIES | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| CRIME STOPPERS OF METRO ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| SAMFORD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $2,500 | 2026 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SPRINGFIELD FOUNDATION | SPRINGFIELD, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA | BUSHNELL, FL | $1,020 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| CRU | ORLANDO, FL | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| HELEN KELLER FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| EMPTY STOCKING FUND | ATLANTA, GA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY BIRMINGHAM AREA COMMAND | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| BIG OAK RANCH INC | SPRINGVILLE, AL | $43,200 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| GREATER BIRMINGHAM HUMANE SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| WELLHOUSE | ODENVILLE, AL | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| HAND IN PAW | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $33,500 | 2025 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (TUSCALOOSA) | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| HERCHOICE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $26,750 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PANAMA CITY | PANAMA CITY, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| RISE CENTER | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| TAPS ANIMAL SHELTER | PEKIN, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION | MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS LLP | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $21,360 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| SAMFORD UNIVERSITY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,861 | 2025 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| BANKS ACADEMY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $12,000 | 2025 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SOUTHEAST LAW INSTITUTE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $12,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| COAST GUARD FOUNDATION | STONINGTON, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| COMMUNITY KITCHENS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| CANINE ASSISTED THERAPY INC | OAKLAND PARK, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ALABAMA HERITAGE | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS |
| THE BELL CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $7,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| WORKSHOPS EMPOWERMENT INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| SAMFORD ATHLETICS (SAMFORD CLASSIC GOLF) | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
| IMMANUEL COUNSELING MINISTRIES | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS |
THE SALVATION ARMY BIRMINGHAM AREA COMMAND
$100,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
BIG OAK RANCH INC
$58,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
ADY'S BIG ARMY
$50,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
HAND IN PAW
$35,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (TUSCALOOSA)
$30,000FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
HERCHOICE
$26,750SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
TAPS ANIMAL SHELTER
$25,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PANAMA CITY
$25,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY KITCHENS
$10,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
THE BELL CENTER
$10,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
COAST GUARD FOUNDATION
$10,000FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS
SOUTHEAST LAW INSTITUTE
$5,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
IMMANUEL COUNSELING MINISTRIES
$5,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION
$5,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
CRIME STOPPERS OF METRO ALABAMA
$5,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
$1,020SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
CRU
$1,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
HELEN KELLER FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
$100,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
EMPTY STOCKING FUND
$50,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
THE SALVATION ARMY BIRMINGHAM AREA COMMAND
$50,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
BIG OAK RANCH INC
$43,200SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
HAND IN PAW
$35,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (TUSCALOOSA)
$30,000FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
HERCHOICE
$26,750SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PANAMA CITY
$25,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
RISE CENTER
$25,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
TAPS ANIMAL SHELTER
$25,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION
$25,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
BRADLEY ARANT BOULT CUMMINGS LLP
$21,360SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
BARBER VINTAGE MOTORSPORTS MUSEUM
$20,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
SPAIN PARK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
$15,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
BANKS ACADEMY
$12,000FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS
SOUTHEAST LAW INSTITUTE
$12,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
COAST GUARD FOUNDATION
$10,000FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS
COMMUNITY KITCHENS
$10,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS
ALABAMA HERITAGE
$10,000FUNDING OF SCHOLARSHIPS
IMMANUEL COUNSELING MINISTRIES
$5,000SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS