Summit Grant

The CFNEA Summit Grant is a competitive funding opportunity established by the Stringfellow Health Fund through the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (CFNEA). It is designed to support short-term projects lasting up to twelve months that foster community leadership development, training, and technological advancements within not-for-profit organizations. With a total funding pool of $30,000, the grant aims to bolster the capacity and resilience of public charities operating within CFNEA’s nine-county service area. The grant provides funding of up to $10,000 per applicant, and each organization is eligible to receive only one grant every three years. The focus is on initiatives that strengthen leadership within city councils, school boards, not-for-profit senior staff and boards, and county commissions. Equally emphasized are projects aimed at enhancing organizational technology, including the implementation of donor tracking systems, remote work capabilities, cybersecurity measures, and financial systems. To be eligible, organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities that have been physically located and operational for at least one year in one of the following Alabama counties: Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair, or Talladega. Projects outside this region, as well as organizations without a physical presence or adequate service reach in these counties, are not eligible. Other disqualifications include those lacking IRS status (unless a government agency), entities on the National Charity Watch List, and proposals involving lobbying, political activity, capital campaigns, or event sponsorships. The application process begins with a pre-application phase, running from May 5 to May 19, 2025, which includes a virtual workshop on May 7, 2025. Full grant applications are accepted from May 21 through June 16, 2025. A second virtual workshop will be held on May 26, 2025. Successful applicants will be required to attend a Summit Grantee Presentation on June 10, 2025. Applications will be reviewed between June 19 and July 14, 2025, and grant disbursements will occur in August 2025. Grantees must complete a grant agreement, submit mid-year and final reports, and attend an annual leadership summit to present the outcomes and impact of their projects. If training is involved, participating individuals are also required to attend the summit. The grant covers expenses such as professional trainers, conference-related travel, curriculum materials, software and hardware upgrades, and cybersecurity tools. For inquiries or clarification, applicants may contact Fred Smith, Vice President of Community Partnerships, at fsmith@cfnea.org or 256-282-1381 ext. 26.