Private foundation · EIN 23-7145009 · Mobile, Alabama

Ben May Charitable Trust

Should you approach them?

Yes, approach them if your work fits its grantee list. The foundation accepts applications (NONE) and its median grant is $10K.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 57 grants paid, $1.4M total, median $10K. 60% of grants stayed in Alabama. Stated restrictions: NONE

Accepts applications
Yes
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
57
$1.4M
Median grant
$10K
Stays in AL
60%
of grants
Deadline
NONE
Assets
$39M

How to apply

Letter application along with copy of the irs tax exemption letter Contact: The Ben May Charitable Trust, Hancock Whitney Bank 25 W I-65, Mobile, Al, 2288224365 Deadlines: NONE Restrictions: NONE

Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.

Grants paid in 2025

57 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of ScienceNew York, NYBen may center for chemical theory and computation$250K
The University of ChicagoChicago, ILCancer research funding$250K
Order of St JohnWashington, DCResearch genetic eye disease$75K
Azalea Center for the ArtsMobile, ALTickets for teachers program$55K
American Friends of the Peres Institute for PeaceCoral Gables, FLGeneral purposes$50K
Museum of the Southern Jewish ExperienceNew Orleans, LAResearch library and reading room$50K
Fuse ProjectMobile, ALGeneral purposes$40K
Anti-Defamation LeagueNew York, NYGeneral purposes$36K
McGill Toolen Catholic High SchoolMobile, ALSt augustine scholarship fund and baseball field resurfacing$35K
St Ignatius Catholic SchoolMobile, ALPlayground at early learning center$35K
Mobile BaykeeperMobile, ALOyster restoration programs$30K
Alabama Shakespeare FestivalMontgomery, AL2026 production of much ado about nothing$25K
Children of the WorldFairhope, ALDomestic adoption coordinator and adminstrative support$25K
Congregation B'nai JeshurunNew York, NYGeneral purposes$25K
Congregation Orach ChaimNew York, NYGeneral purposes$25K
United Jewish AppealNew York, NYGeneral purposes$25K
George Washington's Mt Vernon Ladies AssocMount Vernon, VASend alabama educators to george washington teacher institute$25K
Jewish Theological SeminaryNew York, NYGeneral purposes$18K
Camp Ramah in the BerkshiresTeaneck, NJGeneral purposes$18K
Big Brothers Big Sisters of AlabamaMobile, ALGeneral purposes$15K
DorotNew York, NYGeneral purposes$15K
Government Street Presbyterian ChurchMobile, ALGeneral purposes$15K
Community of Faith Global Methodist ChurchJackson, ALGeneral purposes$15K
Mobile Museum of ArtMobile, ALSupport for two exhibitions$15K
Alabama Policy InstituteBirmingham, ALGeneral purposes$10K
Institute of Southern Jewish Life IncJackson, MSGeneral purposes$10K
Israel Policy ForumNew York, NYGeneral purposes$10K
National Association of ScholarsNew York, NYGeneral purposes$10K
Prichard Preparatory SchoolWhistler, ALAcademic bridge program$10K
Red Door CommunityNew York, NYGeneral purposes$10K
The Doe FundNew York, NYReady willing and able program$10K
Jewish Agency for IsraelNew York, NYGeneral purposes$8,333
Competing Against CancerMobile, ALGeneral purposes$7,500
Pine Grove United Methodist ChurchLeroy, ALBen may fund$7,500
Mobile Area Jewish FederationMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,400
Alabama Coastal FoundationMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Mobile Area Council Scouting AmericaMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Boys & Girls ClubMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Cahaba FoundationSelma, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries IncDauphin Island, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Little Sisters of the PoorMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Main Street MobileMobile, ALPublic art trail$5,000
Mobile Arts CouncilMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Prestwick Preservation SocietyLeroy, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Ronald McDonald HouseMobile, ALGuest room sponsorship$5,000
St Stephens Nutrition CenterSt Stephens, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
University of Albama School of LawTuscaloosa, ALBen may endowed scholarship fund$5,000
Victory Health PartnersMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Friends of Old Mobile IncMobile, ALBurial monuments$5,000
Friends of Alabama ArchivesMontgomery, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
Broad Street Restoration SocietyMobile, ALGeneral purposes$5,000
The Learning TreeMobile, ALGenerator$5,000
Central Park ConservacyNew York, NYGeneral purposes$2,500
Tunnels to Towers FoundationStaten Island, NYGeneral purposes$2,000
Mobile SPCAMobile, ALGeneral purposes$2,000
Wounded Warrior ProjectJacksonville, FLGeneral purposes$1,100
Society of the CincinnatiWashington, DCGeneral purposes$1,000

By state: New York 14 · Alabama 34 · Illinois 1 · District of Columbia 2 · Florida 2 · Louisiana 1

About this foundation

Ben May Charitable Trust is a private grantmaking foundation in Mobile, Alabama, administered in care of Amsouth Bank, tax-exempt since 1971. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Ben May Charitable Trust accept grant applications?

Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Letter application along with copy of the irs tax exemption letter Deadlines: NONE.

How much does Ben May Charitable Trust give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.4M across 57 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does Ben May Charitable Trust give?

New York (14 grants), Alabama (34 grants), Illinois (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Mobile that accept applications

All in Alabama
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
J L Bedsole Foundationsince 1972 Mobile, AL $3.3M167 grants · 2024 $6,000Yes $55M
Hearin-Chandler Foundationsince 1971 Mobile, AL $2.5M66 grants · 2024 $25KYes $36M
Rjjb Family Foundationsince 1997 Mobile, AL $1.3M35 grants · 2024 $12KYes $32M
Nikkis Haven Foundationsince 2010 Mobile, AL $853K5 grants · 2024 $12KYes $28M
Crampton Trustsince 1994 Mobile, AL $1.0M39 grants · 2025 $18KYes $18M
Email me matching grants