Tickle Family Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Tickle Family Foundation is a private family foundation that supports pre-selected organizations. There is no public application process, no published guidelines, and no grant application form. The foundation's website is a placeholder with no content.

### How to Engage

1. Relationship-Based Giving: The foundation appears to fund organizations with which the Tickle family has direct personal connections, particularly in Birmingham, AL and Cashiers, NC. 2. Community Involvement: Organizations in Birmingham or the Cashiers/Plateau area of western North Carolina that can demonstrate community impact may be best positioned. 3. Letter of Inquiry: In the absence of a formal application, a brief letter of inquiry sent to the foundation's registered address (5246 Greystone Way, Hoover, AL 35242) may be the most appropriate way to introduce your organization. 4. Networking: Building relationships through community events, church networks, or United Way affiliations in central Alabama could create connections to the Tickle family.

### Key Alignment Factors - Organizations serving Birmingham, AL or Cashiers, NC communities - Education and youth development missions - Religious organizations (Methodist and Episcopal churches favored) - Community development and civic engagement - Arts and cultural organizations in Birmingham

## Funding Patterns

### Grant Size Distribution - Largest single grant: $149,604 (Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, 2020) - Typical large grants: $25,000-$125,000 (education and religious organizations) - Typical small grants: $2,500-$10,000 (community development, arts, historical preservation) - Median grant: ~$10,000 - Required annual distribution: ~$365K-$375K (5% of assets)

### Focus Area Breakdown (by grant dollars, 2020-2022) 1. Education (~40%): Summit Charter School Foundation, UAB Athletics Foundation 2. Religious (~25%): Church of the Good Shepherd, Asbury United Methodist Church 3. Youth Development (~20%): Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau 4. Community Development (~15%): United Way, Woodlawn Foundation, Special Operations Fund, historical societies

## Peer Comparison

### Similar Alabama Family Foundations ($5M-$15M assets) The Tickle Family Foundation operates in a common niche for mid-size Alabama family foundations. Compared to peers:

• Giving Rate: The foundation distributes approximately 5% of assets annually, meeting the IRS minimum for private foundations. This is standard for family foundations of this size.
• Administrative Costs: With no paid officers and minimal operating expenses ($106K-$156K total admin in recent years), the foundation runs leaner than most peers, which typically spend 10-15% of distributions on administration.
• Geographic Concentration: Unusually concentrated in two specific communities (Birmingham, AL and Cashiers, NC), rather than statewide or nationally. This dual-geography pattern reflects the family's personal ties.
• Grantee Diversity: Supports 10-15 organizations annually across 5-6 cause areas, which is typical for a foundation of this size.
• Growth: The foundation's asset growth from ~$100K to $7.5M between 2012-2023 is notable, driven primarily by personal contributions rather than investment returns.
• Investment Strategy: Primarily invested in corporate equities ($5.16M in 2023), with additional holdings in other investments ($1.61M). No government bonds or real estate holdings.

## Recent Activity (2022-2023)

### 2023 Financial Overview - Total assets: $7,216,594 - Total revenue: $287,212 (investment income only, no new contributions) - Charitable distributions: $411,062 - Net investment income: $192,749 - Investment composition: $5.16M corporate stocks, $1.61M other investments, $442K cash

### Trend Analysis - The foundation received no new contributions in 2022-2023, suggesting the family's primary capitalization phase (2019-2021) may be complete. - Distributions increased substantially in 2023 ($411K vs $178K in 2022), likely to meet the 5% minimum distribution requirement. - Investment portfolio remains stable and conservatively managed.

## Application Tips

Important: The Tickle Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. This is a private family foundation that supports pre-selected organizations. However, the following tips may help if you are attempting to establish a relationship:

### Do: - Focus on demonstrating community impact in Birmingham, AL or Cashiers, NC areas - Highlight programs serving youth, education, or community development - Keep initial outreach brief and respectful (1-page letter of inquiry maximum) - Reference specific community needs that align with the foundation's giving history - Connect through shared community networks (United Way, local churches, school boards)

### Do Not: - Submit a full grant proposal without prior relationship or invitation - Expect a response — private family foundations have no obligation to respond to unsolicited inquiries - Request amounts significantly above the foundation's typical range ($5K-$150K) - Contact the foundation through its website (it is a non-functional placeholder)

### Best-Fit Organizations: 1. Schools and educational nonprofits in Cashiers, NC or Birmingham, AL 2. Youth-serving organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs, after-school programs) 3. Churches and religious organizations in the foundation's focal communities 4. Community development organizations in central Alabama or western North Carolina 5. Arts and cultural organizations in Birmingham

### Contact Information: - Mailing Address: 5246 Greystone Way, Hoover, AL 35242 - Phone: (205) 623-7488 - Principal: T. Charles Tickle