The Hugh Kaul Foundation makes a small number of very large, unrestricted grants to institutions in the Birmingham/Alabama area, with a clear emphasis on sustaining local cultural institutions and higher-education/medical research capacity. Grants are primarily general operating support, suggesting a preference for flexible funding that lets organizations direct resources where most needed. The foundation appears to favor a mix of arts philanthropy and major investments in the University of Alabama at Birmingham and locally rooted civic organizations.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a very small set of recipients; predominantly general operating support rather than project-specific funding; geographically focused on Birmingham/Alabama.
A defining feature of The Hugh Kaul Foundation is its repeated, unrestricted support for Birmingham institutions, especially the arts, higher education, and medical research. The largest recent grant on file is $750,000 to the Art Fund of Birmingham for general operating support, followed by a $574,850 general operating grant to Ekvn-yefolecv in Weogufka. That pattern of flexible funding appears throughout the recent grants list, where the foundation backs established local nonprofits rather than project-specific work. University of Alabama at Birmingham is another clear anchor in the record, with general operating grants of $395,000 in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation also supports major civic and cultural organizations in Birmingham, including the Womens Foundation of Alabama, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Birmingham Landmarks, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Zoo, and Red Mountain Theatre Company. Its giving suggests a focus on sustaining organizations that shape community life and institutional capacity in Alabama, especially in and around Birmingham.
Arts organizations are a major part of the foundation’s local giving. It awarded $750,000 to the Art Fund of Birmingham for general operating support, and also gave $100,000 to the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in 2025. Higher education and research capacity are another consistent theme: the foundation gave $395,000 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2025 for general operating support, and a matching $395,000 to University of Alabama Birmingham in 2024. Community-serving nonprofits also appear across the record. In 2025, it made a $200,000 general operating grant to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama and a $100,000 grant to Birmingham Zoo, both of which sit within the foundation’s Birmingham-centered portfolio.
Typical grants cluster at a modest midrange for the foundation’s overall portfolio, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $15,000, and p75 of $25,000. Recent grants also show larger recurring operating gifts, including repeated support to the same institutions across multiple years. The pattern is that of a regular funder rather than a DAF or program-related-investment vehicle, and the foundation does not fund individuals. Most grants are unrestricted general operating awards, indicating a preference for flexible support over restricted project funding.
$2.6M
$50.4M
$4.6M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: Art Fund of Birmingham, University of Alabama at Birmingham, EKVN-YEFOLECV
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Alabama: 94% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the state is also the top recipient state by count. Birmingham is the main hub, with many recipients there, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Womens Foundation of Alabama, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Birmingham Landmarks, and Birmingham Zoo. A smaller number of grants go elsewhere in Alabama, such as Weogufka and Bessemer, with occasional out-of-state recipients like Alexandria, Virginia and Weatherford, Texas.
The record shows a strong emphasis on Birmingham-area institutions, especially arts organizations, higher education, medical research, and locally rooted civic nonprofits. Recent examples include the Art Fund of Birmingham, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Zoo, and the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.
Typical grants are relatively small compared with a few larger operating awards: the p25 is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and the p75 is $25,000. The recent-grants list also includes several six-figure operating grants, showing a mixed pattern of routine support and larger institutional gifts.
Yes. The recent grants show repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Zoo, The Nature Conservancy in Alabama, and Teach for America Alabama. That points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
Yes. The geographic scope is local, and 94% of grants go to recipients in Alabama. Birmingham is the center of the portfolio, though a few grants also go to other Alabama cities and occasional out-of-state organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $395,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOMENS FOUNDATION OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIRMINGHAM LANDMARKS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIRMINGHAM ZOO | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY GREENWAYS | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RAILROAD PARK FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| REV BIRMINGHAM INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| STATE OF ALABAMA BALLET INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HISPANIC INTEREST COALITION OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OPERA BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| METROPOLITAN SCHOOL ARTS | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FRESHWATER LAND TRUST | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FREEDOM RAIN INC DBA LOVELADY CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ONE PLACE METRO ALABAMA FAMILY JUSTICE C | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY ON THE RISE | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| BIRMINGHAM ATHLETIC PARTNERSHIP | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALABAMA WALDORF SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| WOODLAWN UNITED | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| INNOVATION DEPOT | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PRESCHOOL PARTNERS | MOUNTAIN BRK, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SIDEWALK FILM CENTER AND CINEMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| STAIR OF BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| JONES VALLEY TEACHING FARM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH-CENTRAL ALABAMA | TRUSSVILLE, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FIRST LIGHT INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| YOUR TOWN ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| ALBERT SCHWEITZER FELLOWSHIP OF ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EXCEPTIONAL FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| THE BELL CENTER FOR EARLY INTERVENTION P | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDRENS FRESH AIR FARM | HOOVER, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| GIRLS INCORPORATED OF CENTRAL ALABAMA | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| OASIS COUNSELING FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| PATHWAYS INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | HELP FUND THE DAY CENTER |
| MOMENTUM ALUMNAE PROGRAM INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| CREATE BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MITCHELLS PLACE INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS FOR |
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
$395,000GENERAL OPERATING
JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$200,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALABAMA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
GENERAL OPERATING
16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
BIRMINGHAM ZOO
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING
THE SALVATION ARMY
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING
BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN COLLEGE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING
JEFFERSON COUNTY GREENWAYS
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING
HISPANIC INTEREST COALITION OF ALABAMA
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING
METROPOLITAN SCHOOL ARTS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
ONE PLACE METRO ALABAMA FAMILY JUSTICE C
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
RED MOUNTAIN THEATRE COMPANY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY ON THE RISE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
BIRMINGHAM ATHLETIC PARTNERSHIP
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALABAMA WALDORF SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
INNOVATION DEPOT
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
SIDEWALK FILM CENTER AND CINEMA
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
HOLY FAMILY CRISTO REY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
JONES VALLEY TEACHING FARM
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
FIRST LIGHT INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
YOUR TOWN ALABAMA
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
CAHABA RIVER SOCIETY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING
ALBERT SCHWEITZER FELLOWSHIP OF ALABAMA
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDRENS FRESH AIR FARM
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
MOMENTUM ALUMNAE PROGRAM INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING