The Robert R. Meyer Foundation is a Birmingham-focused private funder that concentrates on sustaining local nonprofit infrastructure through general operating support. Its giving mixes safety-net human services (food, shelters, counseling), K–12 and early childhood education initiatives, and a strong commitment to arts and cultural institutions in the Birmingham metro area. Grants are often repeated to the same organizations, signaling long-term relationships with mid-sized community anchors.
A defining feature of the Robert R Meyer Foundation is its repeated general operating support for Birmingham institutions, especially long-running community anchors such as United Way of Central Alabama and Red Mountain Theatre Company. The foundation’s recent giving shows a steady pattern of backing organizations that keep local services, arts, and education programs running, rather than funding narrow one-time projects. Many of its larger awards go to multi-service intermediaries and cultural institutions that sit at the center of Birmingham civic life. That pattern appears across human services, education, and arts organizations. The foundation has supported Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Freedom Rain Inc Dba Lovelady Center, and Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, alongside Birmingham Landmarks, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and Freshwater Land Trust. Its grants also reach neighborhood and family-stability efforts such as Woodlawn Foundation Inc, Pathways Inc, and Women's Foundation of Alabama. The recurring awards to several recipients suggest an emphasis on continuity and institutional support within the Birmingham area. The result is a grantmaking profile built around local nonprofits with established operations. Rather than spreading support broadly across many regions, Robert R Meyer Foundation concentrates on a small set of Birmingham-based organizations that deliver core services, cultural programming, and community infrastructure year after year.
In human services, the Robert R Meyer Foundation has funded a range of Birmingham safety-net organizations with general operating support. It gave $100,000 to Community Food Bank of Central Alabama for general operating, and $60,000 in 2025 to Freedom Rain Inc Dba Lovelady Center, continuing a three-year pattern of support for that organization. Education is another clear thread. The foundation awarded $50,000 to Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School for general operating in 2025, after a $50,000 grant in 2024 and a $41,000 grant in 2023 to the school. It also supported Jones Valley Teaching Farm with a $50,000 grant in 2023, showing interest in school-connected and youth-serving programs. Arts and cultural institutions also appear repeatedly. Robert R Meyer Foundation gave $50,000 to Alabama Symphony Orchestra in 2025 and $75,000 to Red Mountain Theatre Company in 2025, building on prior support for both organizations. The foundation’s local giving also includes Birmingham Landmarks and Terrific New Theatre.
$2.1M
$35.7M
$2.6M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $15K and $30K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$30K
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Concentrated, regionally focused giving with many repeat grants to core grantees; primarily unrestricted/general operating support in mid-sized awards rather than one-off project funding.
Notable grantees: United Way of Central Alabama, Grace House Ministries, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School
Typical grant size sits at $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards above that range show a smaller set of larger operating grants, while many grants cluster around $50,000 and $75,000 for established Birmingham organizations. The foundation’s recent record also shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including several organizations that received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. It is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly centered in Alabama, with 95% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Birmingham is the main recipient city, appearing across human services, arts, education, and community-development grantees. Outside Alabama, the recent grants list includes recipients in Alexandria, Virginia; Washington, DC; Fairfield, Alabama; and Weatherford, Texas, but those are exceptions to a strongly local pattern. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 225 grants in the United States.
It supports Birmingham-based nonprofits through general operating support, especially organizations in human services, arts and culture, education, women’s services, and community stewardship. Recent grantees include Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, and Freshwater Land Trust.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including United Way of Central Alabama in 2024 and 2025, Red Mountain Theatre Company in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Freedom Rain Inc Dba Lovelady Center in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The typical grant size is $15,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger general operating grants such as $150,000 to United Way of Central Alabama and $125,000 to Grace House Ministries.
Its giving is highly concentrated in Alabama: 95% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Birmingham appears most often among recent recipients. The recent list also includes a smaller number of grants to recipients in Alexandria, Washington, DC, Fairfield, and Weatherford.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GRACE HOUSE MINISTRIES | WEATHERFORD, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIRMINGHAM LANDMARKS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FREEDOM RAIN INC DBA LOVELADY CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRESHWATER LAND TRUST | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TERRIFIC NEW THEATRE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BROTHER BRYAN MISSION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FIRST LIGHT INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| I3 ACADEMY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OASIS COUNSELING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $36,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SIGHT SAVERS AMERICA | PELHAM, AL | $35,055 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY FURNITURE BANK | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE WELLHOUSE | ODENVILLE, AL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| STATE OF ALABAMA BALLET INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CAMP SMILE A MILE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RAILROAD PARK FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HISPANIC INTEREST COALITION OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JIMMIE HALE MISSION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $28,794 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $27,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BELL CENTER FOR EARLY INTERVENTION PROGR | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDRENS FRESH AIR FARM | HOOVER, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | KENNESAW, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| REV BIRMINGHAM INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COOSA RIVERKEEPER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PORTRAITS OF HOPE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PATHWAYS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MITCHELLS PLACE INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BETTER BASICS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALZHEIMERS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $24,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PRESCHOOL PARTNERS | MOUNTAIN BRK, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ANGEL FLIGHT SOARS | CAMBLEE, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALABAMA HUMANITIES ALLIANCE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF CENTRAL ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| VAX 2 STOP CANCER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER BIRM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BANKS ACADEMY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COLLAT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | MOUNTAIN BRK, AL | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP | MONTGOMERY, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ALABA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FOUNDRY MINISTRIES | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ALABAMA
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING
GRACE HOUSE MINISTRIES
$125,000GENERAL OPERATING
BIRMINGHAM LANDMARKS
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL ALABAMA
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING
FREEDOM RAIN INC DBA LOVELADY CENTER
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING
16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
FRESHWATER LAND TRUST
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
TERRIFIC NEW THEATRE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
BROTHER BRYAN MISSION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
FIRST LIGHT INC
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
I3 ACADEMY
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
OASIS COUNSELING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN
$36,500GENERAL OPERATING
SIGHT SAVERS AMERICA
$35,055GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY FURNITURE BANK
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE WELLHOUSE
$35,000GENERAL OPERATING
STATE OF ALABAMA BALLET INC
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
CAMP SMILE A MILE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
RAILROAD PARK FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
HISPANIC INTEREST COALITION OF ALABAMA
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF ALABAMA
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
JIMMIE HALE MISSION
$28,794GENERAL OPERATING
WOMEN'S FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA
$27,500GENERAL OPERATING
BELL CENTER FOR EARLY INTERVENTION PROGR
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDRENS FRESH AIR FARM
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
REV BIRMINGHAM INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
COOSA RIVERKEEPER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
PORTRAITS OF HOPE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
PATHWAYS INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
MITCHELLS PLACE INC
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
BETTER BASICS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALZHEIMERS OF CENTRAL ALABAMA
$24,000GENERAL OPERATING
PRESCHOOL PARTNERS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ANGEL FLIGHT SOARS
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALABAMA HUMANITIES ALLIANCE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
GIRLS INCORPORATED OF CENTRAL ALABAMA
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
VAX 2 STOP CANCER
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER BIRM
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
BANKS ACADEMY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF ALABAMA
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
COLLAT JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES
$18,000GENERAL OPERATING
A PLUS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ALABA
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
FOUNDRY MINISTRIES
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING