Elevate Grant Program

The Elevate grant program is an initiative of the Alabama Power Foundation, a private philanthropic organization committed to advancing the well-being of Alabama communities. The Foundation plays a significant role in addressing social and economic issues within the state by investing in targeted initiatives that align with Alabama’s workforce development goals. Through Elevate, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations, providing the tools and resources necessary to address pressing community needs and foster long-term prosperity. The purpose of the Elevate grant is to empower nonprofits across Alabama to expand their impact in areas such as workforce development, poverty alleviation, and the removal of systemic barriers to employment and training opportunities. The program is specifically designed to support organizations that focus on workforce development, defined by the funder as activities that strengthen job readiness, improve economic mobility, and contribute to Alabama’s broader workforce goals. A key feature of the grant is its emphasis on building organizational capacity—funding can be applied to the salaries and benefits of new staff positions that directly support these objectives. Elevate grants provide financial awards of up to $5,000 per project. Each applying nonprofit organization may receive one grant per workforce development initiative. Funding is limited and awarded on a monthly review cycle, reinforcing the importance of timely and well-prepared submissions. All applications must demonstrate sound fiscal management, the ability to attract multiple sources of financial support, and a clear alignment with the goals of workforce development. Projects should show how they alleviate poverty, address workforce challenges, or build capacity for longer-term impact. Applications for Elevate grants are accepted from February through October of each year. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling monthly basis during that window. The application process requires the submission of several components: the organization’s legal name and contact details, EIN/Tax ID number, a brief history and mission, staff size, a summary of the proposed project, a list of board members, and a job description if new staff are being hired. Additionally, organizations must provide a detailed project budget with an evaluation plan, recent financial documentation (either an audit or three years of IRS Form 990), the current operating budget, and a copy of the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. The evaluation of applications focuses on an organization’s capacity to deliver outcomes aligned with the goals of the Elevate program. Applications that clearly define how the funds will be used to support workforce development, address systemic barriers, and sustain impact through diversified funding are likely to receive favorable consideration. The program underscores the importance of removing obstacles to employment and supporting underserved populations in gaining access to skills training and economic opportunities. Contact details and specific deadlines are not listed in the public program description, and no single point of contact is specified. However, the Alabama Power Foundation oversees the administration of Elevate grants, and application materials must be prepared in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PDF formats. The program is expected to recur annually, with applications opening each February and closing each October. Based on the current cycle ending in October 2025, the next application round is anticipated to begin in February 2026.

Demonstrate fiscal accountability and ability to attract multiple funding sources; align clearly with workforce development goals and capacity building.