The Ben May Charitable Trust
Accepts applications
The Ben May Charitable Trust is a private foundation in Mobile, Alabama. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.4 million in 57 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $250,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.4 million
- Number of grants57
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$250,000
- Assets$38.9 million
- New grantees28%
Giving in 2025 was up from $1.3 million the year before.
28% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.3 million | 61 | $31.2 million |
| 2024 | $1.3 million | 49 | $31.7 million |
| 2025 | $1.4 million | 57 | $38.9 million |
How to apply
| Contact | The Ben May Charitable Trust Hancock Whitney Bank 25 W I-65, Service Rd N, Mobile, AL 36608 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (228) 822-4365 |
| What to submit | Letter application along with copy of the IRS tax exemption letter |
What The Ben May Charitable Trust funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 14 | $446,833 |
| Alabama | 34 | $432,400 |
| Illinois | 1 | $250,000 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $76,000 |
| Florida | 2 | $51,100 |
| Louisiana | 1 | $50,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $25,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $18,000 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science | Ben may center for chemical theory and computation | $250,000 |
| The University of Chicago | Cancer research funding | $250,000 |
| Order of St John | Research genetic eye disease | $75,000 |
| Azalea Center for the Arts | Tickets for teachers program | $55,000 |
| American Friends of the Peres Institute for Peace | General purposes | $50,000 |
| Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience | Research library and reading room | $50,000 |
| Fuse Project | General purposes | $40,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League | General purposes | $36,000 |
| McGill Toolen Catholic High School | St augustine scholarship fund and baseball field resurfacing | $35,000 |
| St Ignatius Catholic School | Playground at early learning center | $35,000 |
| Mobile Baykeeper | Oyster restoration programs | $30,000 |
| Alabama Shakespeare Festival | 2026 production of much ado about nothing | $25,000 |
| Children of the World | Domestic adoption coordinator and adminstrative support | $25,000 |
| Congregation B'nai Jeshurun | General purposes | $25,000 |
| Congregation Orach Chaim | General purposes | $25,000 |
| United Jewish Appeal | General purposes | $25,000 |
| George Washington's Mt Vernon Ladies Assoc | Send alabama educators to george washington teacher institute | $25,000 |
| Jewish Theological Seminary | General purposes | $18,000 |
| Camp Ramah in the Berkshires | General purposes | $18,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama | General purposes | $15,000 |
| Dorot | General purposes | $15,000 |
| Government Street Presbyterian Church | General purposes | $15,000 |
| Community of Faith Global Methodist Church | General purposes | $15,000 |
| Mobile Museum of Art | Support for two exhibitions | $15,000 |
| Alabama Policy Institute | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Institute of Southern Jewish Life Inc | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Israel Policy Forum | General purposes | $10,000 |
| National Association of Scholars | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Prichard Preparatory School | Academic bridge program | $10,000 |
| Red Door Community | General purposes | $10,000 |
| The Doe Fund | Ready willing and able program | $10,000 |
| Jewish Agency for Israel | General purposes | $8,333 |
| Competing Against Cancer | General purposes | $7,500 |
| Pine Grove United Methodist Church | Ben may fund | $7,500 |
| Mobile Area Jewish Federation | General purposes | $5,400 |
| Alabama Coastal Foundation | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Mobile Area Council Scouting America | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Cahaba Foundation | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries Inc | General purposes | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Lynette P Koppel
- John D Peebles
- Steven Koppel
- Vivian G Johnston III
- William B Peebles
- Vivian G Johnston V
- Ken Niemeyer
- Hancock Whitney Bank
Questions people ask
Does The Ben May Charitable Trust accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does The Ben May Charitable Trust give?
$1.4 million in tax year 2025, across 57 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs The Ben May Charitable Trust?
Its 2025 filing lists Lynette P Koppel (Dist. Committee Member), John D Peebles (Dist. Committee Member), Steven Koppel (Dist. Committee Member) and Vivian G Johnston III (Dist. Committee Chairman) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does The Ben May Charitable Trust fund?
Based on its grants, mainly science and research, education and health.