Mid-South RC&D Council Community Grant Program

The Mid-South Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council operates as a regional nonprofit initiative dedicated to enhancing both human and natural resources throughout eight counties in Alabama. The organization’s mission is rooted in improving the quality of life and economic well-being of its communities through education, sustainable development, and local involvement. With a focused approach, the Council deploys its annual grant program to support grassroots efforts that create long-term, positive impacts in its designated service area. Each fiscal year, the Mid-South RC&D Council opens its grant cycle on April 1 and accepts applications through June 30. The program is exclusively available to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental units or sub-units, and schools. To qualify, nonprofit organizations must be in good standing and certified for a minimum of two years. Eligible projects must directly benefit at least one of the following counties: Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, or Montgomery. Applications are required to be submitted through a digital portal accessible on the Council’s official website. Grant priorities include Community Improvement and Economic Development, Workforce Development, Emergency Preparedness, Youth Programs, and Adult Programs. Examples of funded projects range from educational workshops, community gardens, and tourism-related developments to emergency equipment and training for first responders. Applicants are instructed to align proposals with either the Council’s Education Fund or General Fund. Education Fund projects must have an educational component, while General Fund projects support broader community needs without that requirement. Ineligible uses of funds include administrative salaries, honorariums, religious activities, land purchases, personal consumables, and most forms of travel—except for school bus transportation supporting educational purposes. The review and approval process is structured and rigorous. After submission, staff review applications for completeness and forward them to County Committees, where members score proposals using a standardized rubric to ensure compliance with IRS regulations. These scores inform funding decisions finalized by the Board of Directors in August. Award notifications are issued in September, followed by a mandatory orientation meeting. The project period begins no earlier than October 1, contingent upon execution of a Cooperative Agreement. Grantees are required to submit quarterly progress reports, and any budget adjustments must be approved in writing by the Executive Director. Failure to comply with grant guidelines or to complete required reporting may lead to disqualification from future funding cycles. To maintain equitable access and regional integrity, only projects operating within the designated eight-county region are eligible, and the Council does not consider submissions intended for areas outside this scope. Furthermore, applicants who failed to close out previous grants due to noncompliance or poor communication must observe a two-year waiting period before reapplying. Applicants funded for the same project in two consecutive years must wait one year before seeking further support for that initiative. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the Mid-South RC&D Grant Cycle Guidebook and Grant Policy documents prior to applying. Any questions regarding program guidelines or application requirements can be directed to Program Manager Krystal Ward at [email protected] or by phone at (334) 356-1855. While the Council is open to clarifying questions, staff and board members are prohibited from completing any portion of the application on an applicant’s behalf. All applications must be complete and submitted online before the June 30 deadline—late or incomplete entries will not be reviewed. Award decisions are subject to change at the discretion of the Board on a case-by-case basis.

Align proposals with grant priorities; incomplete or late submissions are automatically disqualified.