RC&D Grant Program

The Cawaco RC&D Council administers a regional grant program aimed at supporting small towns and nonprofit organizations within Central Alabama that often face challenges in accessing funding from major agencies or foundations. Funded by the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils, this grant initiative is specifically targeted at public entities and 501(c)(3) organizations serving the counties of Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker. Individual applicants and for-profit institutions are not eligible for funding. The program’s mission is to stimulate community development, improve infrastructure, enhance education, and bolster local emergency response and recreational resources. Applications for this competitive grant are available annually from April 1 through June 30. All applicants must create a user account and are advised to select the appropriate council, such as Cawaco, during the submission process. Projects must align with at least one of the Council's four priority areas for 2024–2029: Community Improvement, Education, First Responder Support, or Parks and Recreation. To be competitive, proposed initiatives must be cost-effective, serve a broad population, and demonstrate that a relatively small financial investment will yield significant community benefits. Two types of grants are available under this program. The Education grant category supports job and trade skills training, scholarships, field trips, books, and educational materials, provided these initiatives serve a wide audience. The Impact grant category funds materials, infrastructure, community development, and educational or safety equipment. The minimum funding amount for both categories is $5,000 and the maximum is $20,000. However, the average funded project ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. Applicants seeking more than $10,000 must contact Patti Pennington, the program manager, prior to submission. All awards under this program are reimbursable. Grantees must complete their projects and submit a final report, which includes a brief narrative, at least two digital photos, bank documentation, and copies of all relevant receipts and invoices, before July 31 of the funding year. Upon approval of this documentation, reimbursements are processed via check, typically within three weeks. It is imperative for applicants to adhere to their original budget and submit all required materials to expedite the reimbursement process. Grant applications are evaluated by a committee comprising one representative from each of the five eligible counties. Projects are assessed based on need, population served, alignment with funding priorities, and the strength of local community support and volunteer engagement. Notification of award decisions is typically made in September. Grant recipients are expected to publicly acknowledge Cawaco RC&D’s support in all promotional materials associated with their projects, including T-shirts, flyers, and social media posts, using the phrase: “Funding for this project was supplied (in part) by Cawaco RC&D, Inc. www.cawaco.org.” For questions, applicants are encouraged to contact Patti Pennington via email at manager@cawaco.org or grantfunds@live.com, or by phone at 205.623.0457. The program office is located at 2112 11th Avenue South, Suite 541, Birmingham, AL 35205. This grant is non-rolling and offered annually; the next expected cycle will open in April 2026, with internal planning suggested to begin by March 2026. Final grant closeo

Ensure project is cost-effective and meets priorities; contact manager for large requests.