The Alabama State Capitol

Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 63-1198327

Better Place Foundation

A private foundation in Birmingham, AL. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 52 grants and $883,300 paid in grants.

Tax year 2024 (period ending Dec 31, 2024), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

7 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2024

    $883,300

    Grants listed
    52
    Assets, end of year
    $11,934,287
  • Tax year 2023

    $863,255

    Grants listed
    47
    Assets, end of year
    $11,019,181
  • Tax year 2022

    $751,600

    Grants listed
    47
    Assets, end of year
    $11,281,878
  • Tax year 2021

    $1,038,700

    Grants listed
    50
    Assets, end of year
    $13,598,347
  • Tax year 2020

    $1,103,350

    Grants listed
    58
    Assets, end of year
    $12,986,431
  • Tax year 2019

    $932,900

    Grants listed
    60
    Assets, end of year
    $13,014,767
  • Tax year 2018

    $716,550

    Grants listed
    33
    Assets, end of year
    $14,517,217

Grants paid in 2024

52 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Alaquest Collaborative for EducationBirmingham, AL

    Educational assistance

    $70,000
  2. Gideons Army Grassroots Army for ChildrenNashville, TN

    Social assistance

    $64,000
  3. Cahaba River SocietyBirmingham, AL

    Environmental

    $62,500
  4. Youth Towers IncBirmingham, AL

    Social assistance

    $50,000
  5. Empower Schools of AlabamaBessemer, AL

    Educational

    $50,000
  6. McRae Learning Center IncSelma, AL

    Educational

    $45,000
  7. Spring Valley School FoundationBirmingham, AL

    Educational

    $40,000
  8. Embrace Alabama KidsMontgomery, AL

    Community support

    $35,000
  9. McWane Science CenterBirmingham, AL

    Educational

    $32,500
  10. Oasis Counseling Center for Women & ChildrenBirmingham, AL

    Health & social services

    $30,000
  11. H3W IncBessemer, AL

    Environmental and community support

    $30,000
  12. Hearts of WheelsBirmingham, AL

    Social assistance

    $25,000
  13. Showing Up for Racial Justice Education FundBuffalo, NY

    Social justice

    $25,000
  14. Highlander Research & Education CenterNew Market, TN

    Educational

    $22,500
  15. YMCA Junius Ward Johnson MemorialVicksburg, MS

    Community support

    $22,500
  16. Alabama Oncology FoundationVestavia, AL

    Medical research

    $20,100
  17. Ecumenical Ministries IncFairhope, AL

    Social assistance

    $20,000
  18. Ekvnv YefolecvlkeWeogufka, AL

    Social/environmental

    $20,000
  19. Under His Wings IncMontrose, AL

    Social assistance

    $20,000
  20. Youth Serve IncBirmingham, AL

    Social assistance

    $20,000
  21. Vicksburg Catholic SchoolVicksburg, MS

    Educational

    $20,000
  22. Bessemer Redevelopment CorpBessemer, AL

    Community support and development

    $17,500
  23. Indianapolis Monumental MarathonIndianapolis, IN

    Community support

    $10,000
  24. The Center for Executive LeadershipBirmingham, AL

    Community support and education

    $10,000
  25. Transgender Advocates Knowledge EmpoweringWashington, DC

    Social justice

    $10,000
  26. Central Brevard Humane Society IncCocoa, FL

    Health and community support

    $10,000
  27. Edge Youth LeadershipSan Leandro, CA

    Community support

    $10,000
  28. Haitian Bridge AllianceSan Diego, CA

    Social justice

    $10,000
  29. Holcomb MinistriesVestavia Hills, AL

    Health and community support

    $7,500
  30. Tennessee Breast Cancer CoalitionNashville, TN

    Health support

    $7,500
  31. Berkshire Hills Music Academy IncSouth Hadley, MA

    Community support

    $5,000
  32. City Parks Foundation IncNew York, NY

    Community support

    $5,000
  33. Citylax IncNew York, NY

    Community support

    $5,000
  34. FPC Action FoundationLas Vegas, NV

    Social justice

    $5,000
  35. Maranathan Family Learning Center and AcademyBirmingham, AL

    Educational

    $5,000
  36. Southern Environmental Law CenterCharlottesville, VA

    Social justice

    $5,000
  37. Springmont School IncSandy Springs, GA

    Educational

    $5,000
  38. Purpose Built CommunitiesAtlanta, GA

    Community support

    $4,400
  39. Lifeline Animal Project IncAtlanta, GA

    Health and community support

    $4,000
  40. The Tender FoundationAtlanta, GA

    Social assistance

    $3,000
  41. Marion Medical MissionMarion, IL

    Health and community support

    $3,000
  42. Building Peace IncLawrence, KS

    Social assistance

    $2,500
  43. Greater Birmingham Humane SocietyBirmingham, AL

    Health and community support

    $2,500
  44. Hand in Paw IncBirmingham, AL

    Health and social assistance

    $2,500
  45. Rahab's SistersPortland, OR

    Community support

    $2,500
  46. The Penny FoundationLa Marque, TX

    Community support

    $2,500
  47. Alabama Initiative for Independent JournalismBirmingham, AL

    Educational

    $2,500
  48. Campus Outreach BirminghamBirmingham, AL

    Community support

    $1,000
  49. Sameyou FoundationUnited Kingdom

    Health and community support

    $1,000
  50. Higher Purpose IncClarksdale, MS

    Community support

    $100
  51. Nova UkrainePalo Alto, CA

    Humanitarian support

    $100
  52. National Fallen Firefighter's FoundationEmmitsburg, MD

    Community support

    $100

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Education6 grants $215,00032% of the total
  2. Community development2 grants $80,00012% of the total
  3. Civil rights2 grants $69,00010% of the total
  4. Human services6 grants $65,50010% of the total
  5. Environment2 grants $52,5008% of the total
  6. Housing and shelter2 grants $52,5008% of the total
  7. 7 other causes15 grants $132,20020% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Alabama25 grants $623,600
  2. Tennessee3 grants $94,000
  3. Mississippi3 grants $42,600
  4. New York3 grants $35,000
  5. California3 grants $20,100
  6. Georgia4 grants $16,400
  7. District of Columbia1 grant $10,000
  8. Florida1 grant $10,000
  9. Indiana1 grant $10,000
  10. Massachusetts1 grant $5,000

Officers, directors and trustees

2 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • William T Ratliff IIIPRES/TREAS/DIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0
  • Carl A LessmanDIRECTOR Hours 1Pay $0

The return

More foundations

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Same main cause (education), giving between a quarter and four times this foundation’s where possible, nearby first.

  1. A Better South FoundationBirmingham, AL 24 grants Preselected only $808,500 giving
  2. The Comer FoundationBirmingham, AL 37 grants Accepts applications $976,214 giving
  3. Louise Maytag Smith Charitable TrustBirmingham, AL 8 grants Preselected only $795,800 giving
  4. The Arlington FoundationBirmingham, AL 14 grants Preselected only $1,000,000 giving
  5. Elizabeth & Ronald Moore Family FoundationBirmingham, AL 6 grants Preselected only $772,720 giving