Nabers Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,412,425 (2022)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Grant Range: $600 - $1,985,025
• Geographic Focus: Alabama (primarily)

Contact Details

Address: 3300 Dell Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223

Note: This foundation does not maintain public contact information for grant inquiries as they do not accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Nabers Charitable Foundation was established in 1998 as a private family foundation based in Mountain Brook, Alabama. With total assets of approximately $16.9 million, the foundation distributed $2.4 million in grants during 2022. The foundation has experienced exceptional growth, increasing revenue by an average of 71.4% per year over the past three years. Since 2020, the foundation has awarded 23 individual grants totaling $5.3 million. The foundation is led by Drayton Nabers Jr., former CEO of Protective Life Corporation and former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, who is known for his work in character education and youth development. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization classified as a charitable or religious organization.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking without structured grant programs. Based on available data:

• Grant amounts in 2022 ranged from $600 to $1,985,025
• Median grant amount: $12,500
• Total annual giving: $2,412,425 (2022)
• Number of grants awarded: 6 (2022), 13 (2021), 4 (2020)

Priority Areas

While specific funding priorities are not publicly documented, the leadership's background suggests potential interest in:

• Character education and youth development
• Christian education
• Prison ministry and offender rehabilitation
• Educational institutions in Alabama

These areas align with Drayton Nabers Jr.'s philanthropic work as co-founder and Board Chairman of The Hope Institute (focused on character building in young people), Chairman of Cornerstone Schools of Alabama, and co-founder of the Offender Alumni Association.

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified, but the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations.

Governance and Leadership

President/Director: Drayton Nabers Jr.

• Former CEO of Protective Life Corporation (1992-2002)
• Former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (2003)
• Former Finance Director for the State of Alabama
• Co-founder and Board Chairman of The Hope Institute
• Chairman of Cornerstone Schools of Alabama
• Co-founder of Offender Alumni Association (2014)
• Author of multiple books on character and ethics including "The Case for Character," "The Hidden Key to Happiness," and "Priceless: A Life That Counts for Good"

Secretary/Trustee: Fairfax Smathers Nabers

Treasurer/Trustee: Mary Nabers Doyle

Additional Trustees:

• Fairfax Nabers Blount
• Drayton Nabers III

The foundation is governed by family members, consistent with its structure as a private family foundation.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Nabers Charitable Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees based on their own identification of charitable causes and organizations aligned with the foundation's interests.

This is a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee-initiated relationships rather than through a competitive application process. Organizations cannot apply for funding directly.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that receive funding from the Nabers Charitable Foundation are identified and selected by the trustees based on:

• Pre-existing relationships with the foundation's leadership
• Alignment with the trustees' personal philanthropic interests
• Work in areas where trustees have direct involvement or knowledge
• Organizations operating within Alabama, particularly in the Birmingham/Mountain Brook area

Given Drayton Nabers Jr.'s documented commitment to character education, youth development, Christian education, and criminal justice reform, organizations working in these areas and known to the trustees may be more likely to receive consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals or applications
• Family Foundation Structure: Grants are made at the discretion of the Nabers family trustees
• Significant Grant Variation: Grant amounts range dramatically from $600 to nearly $2 million, suggesting different levels of support for different types of organizations
• Alabama Focus: As a Mountain Brook-based foundation with Alabama leadership, local organizations are most likely to benefit
• Leadership's Interests: Understanding Drayton Nabers Jr.'s work in character education, youth development, and criminal justice reform may provide insight into potential funding priorities
• Relationship-Based: Funding decisions appear to be relationship-driven rather than application-driven
• Growing Capacity: The foundation has experienced significant growth in recent years, increasing its grantmaking capacity

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Nabers Charitable Foundation (EIN 63-1189714): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/631189714 (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ - The Nabers Charitable Foundation: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/nabers-charitable-foundation,631189714/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl - The Nabers Charitable Foundation 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/nabers-charitable-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
• The Hope Institute - Drayton Nabers, Jr. Leadership Profile: https://www.hopeinstitute.org/leadership-1/drayton-nabers-jr (Accessed January 2026)
• University of Alabama - Alabama Business Hall of Fame - Drayton Nabers, Jr.: https://abhof.culverhouse.ua.edu/member/drayton-nabers-jr/ (Accessed January 2026)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022 tax year data)