The Pleiad Foundation concentrates substantial, place-based support in Birmingham, with major gifts to higher-education institutions and University medical programs. Its giving emphasizes university-related initiatives—particularly neurosurgery/medical research—and also includes selective backing for local cultural organizations. Grants are few but large, often repeated to the same institutions, signaling a preference for deep, institutional partnerships over broad, small-dollar funding.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of local institutional grantees with repeat funding to university and medical departments rather than many small, diverse awards.
Pleiad Foundation’s recent giving is marked by a very large grant to Birmingham Southern College: $400,000 in 2025. That single award captures a broader pattern in the foundation’s work — a small number of substantial grants, mostly to Birmingham and other Central Alabama institutions, with repeated support for universities, medical programs, and local cultural organizations. The foundation also made a $265,000 grant to Uab - Department of Neurosurgery in 2025, reinforcing its interest in university-linked medical work. Across the recent grant list, the same recipient organizations appear more than once, including UAB units, Virginia Samford Theater, Freshwater Land Trust, and Urban Ministry, suggesting ongoing institutional relationships rather than one-off awards. Pleiad Foundation’s grantmaking is local in scope, and the recipient mix shows support for higher education, neurosurgery and medical research, arts and culture, and selected community projects. The pattern points to place-based giving in Greater Birmingham and Central Alabama, with a strong tilt toward established nonprofits and campus-related priorities.
Higher education is a major theme in Pleiad Foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, it gave $400,000 to Birmingham Southern College and $60,000 to Huntingdon College, while also supporting university-related funds such as the University Foundation in Tuscaloosa. Medical research and clinical training are another clear area of support: the foundation awarded $265,000 to Uab - Department of Neurosurgery in 2025 and $100,000 to Uab Division of Neurosurgery in 2024. Arts and culture also appear in the recent record, including $75,000 to Virginia Samford Theater in 2025 and $50,000 to Metropolitan Arts Center in 2025. Community and land-focused work is represented by grants such as $57,500 to Freshwater Land Trust in 2025 and $35,000 to United Way in 2025.
Pleiad Foundation’s typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, but recent awards also show much larger institutional gifts. The foundation makes annual discretionary grants and is a family foundation with a once-a-year decision cycle in December. It typically issues about 20–30 donations annually. The recent grants list shows repeat funding to the same organizations across multiple years, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than a one-time grant cycle. Its general grantmaking programs are open to unsolicited applications.
$1.4M
$9.2M
$1.2M
$1.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: Birmingham–Southern College, UAB Department/Division of Neurosurgery, University Foundation (local university fundraising arm), Virginia Samford Theatre
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Alabama, with 89% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Birmingham is the main city in the recent record, alongside Tuscaloosa and Montgomery. Named recipients in Birmingham include Virginia Samford Theater, Freshwater Land Trust, United Way, and Urban Ministry. Outside Birmingham, Tuscaloosa recipients include the University Foundation, Ua Honors College, and the University of Alabama - Dke Building Fund, while Huntingdon College appears in Montgomery. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation supports higher education, medical research, arts and cultural organizations, and smaller local projects. Recent grants show repeated support for universities and university-affiliated units, along with Birmingham arts and community organizations.
Yes. The listed general grantmaking programs say they accept unsolicited applications and provide annual grants to qualified nonprofit organizations.
It makes annual discretionary grants and typically decides disbursements once a year in December. The program descriptions say it usually makes about 20–30 donations each year.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger institutional grants, such as six-figure gifts.
It gives most often in Alabama, especially in Greater Birmingham and Central Alabama. The data shows 89% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state of Alabama.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Pleiad Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Qualified nonprofit organizations; generally organizations local to Greater Birmingham and Central Alabama or organizations with some connection to a Foundation member.
Deadline: The board meets annually in December to make disbursement decisions. No specific public deadline listed.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $400,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UAB - DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSURGERY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $265,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $151,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $75,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| HUNTINGDON COLLEGE |
| MONTGOMERY, AL |
| $60,000 |
| 2025 |
| TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| FRESHWATER LAND TRUST | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $57,500 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| METROPOLITAN ARTS CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UAB - PRIMARY CARE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - DKE BUILDING FUND | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UNITED WAY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $35,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| JAFI | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UAB - BENNETT | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $16,667 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| LINLEY HEFLIN | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| GLEN IRIS GRACE | HOOVER, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UAB ATHLETICS FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| COMMUNITY FURNITURE BANK | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| TRINITY PLACE SHELTER | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| RAILROAD PARK FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| SIDEWALK FILM CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| BIRMINGHAM OPERA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UNITED ABILITY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| EMBRACE ALABAMA KIDS | FLORENCE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| WEBSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| STATE OF ALABAMA BALLET | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| SAINT LUKES EPISCOPAL CHURCH | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK CLUB | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $1,500 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA BLACK WARRIOR COUNCIL | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| HIGHLANDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | HIGHLANDS, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| THE DANCE FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| HEAL UNITED | VESTAVIA HILLS, AL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| OASIS COUNSELING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| THE BELL CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UAB DIVISION OF NEUROSURGERY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $76,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| FRESHWATER LAND TRUST | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $55,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UA HONORS COLLEGE | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $50,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| FIRST METHODIST CHURCH | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UNITED WAY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $35,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| COMMUNITY ON THE RISE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| URBAN MINISTRY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| REV BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UAB DEANS FUND | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| CCYA | MARIETTA, GA | $15,060 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| JAFI | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| THE WELLHOUSE | ODENVILLE, AL | $10,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UNITED ABILITY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
| UAB ATHLETICS FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE |
BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE
$400,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UAB - DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSURGERY
$265,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$151,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATER
$75,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
METROPOLITAN ARTS CENTER
$50,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UAB - PRIMARY CARE
$50,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - DKE BUILDING FUND
$50,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UNITED WAY
$35,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
JAFI
$25,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH
$25,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UAB - BENNETT
$16,667TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
LINLEY HEFLIN
$15,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
GLEN IRIS GRACE
$15,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UAB ATHLETICS FOUNDATION
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
COMMUNITY FURNITURE BANK
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
TRINITY PLACE SHELTER
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
SIDEWALK FILM CENTER
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
BIRMINGHAM OPERA
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
EMBRACE ALABAMA KIDS
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
WEBSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$5,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
SAINT LUKES EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$2,500TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK CLUB
$1,500TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA BLACK WARRIOR COUNCIL
$1,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
HIGHLANDS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$1,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
THE DANCE FOUNDATION
$1,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
HEAL UNITED
$1,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UAB DIVISION OF NEUROSURGERY
$100,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$76,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UA HONORS COLLEGE
$50,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
$50,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UNITED WAY
$35,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
VIRGINIA SAMFORD THEATER
$30,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
COMMUNITY ON THE RISE
$25,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
URBAN MINISTRY
$25,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UAB DEANS FUND
$25,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
JAFI
$15,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
UAB ATHLETICS FOUNDATION
$10,000TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE CAUSE
