The North Baldwin Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of South Alabama, has opened its 2024–2025 competitive grantmaking cycle. Established in 2020, the Foundation serves as a philanthropic hub to enhance the quality of life for residents of Bay Minette and its surrounding areas. Grants awarded during this cycle will be funded through the North Baldwin Community Fund, a field-of-interest fund created to address the most pressing needs in the local community.
For this funding round, the Foundation is prioritizing proposals that contribute to improving the quality of life in Bay Minette and surrounding communities. Eligible proposals may fall into one or more of the following categories: arts, community development, education, environment/beautification, health, human services, recreation, technology, or youth programming.
Applicants must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, educational institutions, or religious organizations. Proposals may come from individual organizations or collaborative partnerships, with collaborations being strongly encouraged. The requested funding must be used within a 12-month period and should not exceed $5,000. The funds may be allocated to either project-specific support or organizational capacity building, such as equipment, training, staffing, or collaboration efforts.
To ensure accountability, grantees must enter into a formal agreement with the Community Foundation of South Alabama, attend an orientation session, and submit reports with program-specific data to demonstrate the outcomes and impact of the funded projects. Evaluation criteria include community need, organizational capacity, project design, and measurable impact. Proposals that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and leveraged resources are strongly encouraged.
Applications must be submitted electronically via the Community Foundation’s online grant portal by May 16, 2025, at 4:59 p.m. CST. The invitation to apply will be posted on April 7, 2025, and applicants will be notified of decisions by early July 2025. A required grantee orientation will follow in mid or late July. Technical support will be available until noon on the day of the deadline. Hard copy applications or late submissions will not be accepted.
For questions, applicants may contact Leigha Bolton at lbolton@communityfoundationsa.org or call 251-438-5591.
