The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (CFNEA) was established October 1, 1999 as one of more than 750 community foundations in the United States organized in trust form to promote and build permanent endowments in local communities.  The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama is a 501(c)(3) qualified nonprofit public charity recognized by the attorney general of Alabama and the Internal Revenue Service.  CFNEA is a member of the Council on Foundations and one of the first community foundations to be recognized as being in full compliance with the National Standards for U.S. community foundations. 

From January 27, 1997 to October 1, 1999 the organization was Stringfellow Health Trust, a private foundation. The Trust, with just over $13 million in assets, was established by a thirty-year lease by Health Management Associates to operate Stringfellow Memorial Hospital. Prior to the lease, the Board of Trustees operated the nonprofit hospital, which was established in 1939 under the 1920 will of Susie Parker Stringfellow.

On October 1, 1999, the Stringfellow Health Trust was granted permission by the IRS to transfer and irrevocably assigned its assets ($14 million) to the CFNEA.  Thus, the Stringfellow Health Fund was established as a component fund of the CFNEA and continues its charitable mission under the administration of the Community Foundation.

During the past nine years, 102 new endowed funds have been added to the CFNEA, which now totals nearly $25 million. Each has its own charitable designation awarding either grants or scholarships back to the community. Many individuals or families begin a fund during their lifetime and designate all or a portion of their estate to maintain the fund in perpetuity. 

To further expand community participation, the trustees have included civic volunteers that reflect the geographic, ethnic, racial, religious and economic demographics of the area.  These individuals serve for three-year terms on the following standing committees: Governance, Finance & Investment, Development, Community Leadership, Scholarship and Community Investment. There are dozens of additional community volunteers who serve on a variety of ad hoc committees supporting specific Foundation initiatives.