Alabama Education Grants

The Catalyze Birmingham Challenge is a national challenge that exists to jumpstart innovations in the field of career-connected learning (CCL), working to ensure that learners ages 11-22 have access to transformative career-connected learning that integrates education and career, allowing them to discover their aptitudes and leading them to rewarding careers. Donor Name: Catalyze State: Alabama County: Bibb County (AL), Blount County (AL), Chilton County (AL), Jefferson County (AL), Saint Clair County (AL), Shelby County (AL), Walker County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Since 2021, the national Catalyze Challenge (“Catalyze”) winners have impacted more than 45,000 students, drawing on $13+ million in grants across 50+ organizations. Catalyze grantees work across the U.S. to plan, pilot, and implement innovations that provide students with career-connected learning opportunities and pathways into fulfilling careers. More specifically, they award competitive grant funding to forward-looking organizations with groundbreaking solutions for specific career-connected learning challenges, particularly those faced by (a) learners navigating career pathways and (b) both individuals and organizations working within education and industry. Open to innovators across the United States, Catalyze seeks novel approaches to career-connected learning that are aligned with one of two challenge-related themes: Career Exploration for Young Adolescents and Activating Employer Partnerships. These themes are deliberate opportunities to close existing gaps in the market and to enable learning experiences and outcomes that challenge the status quo. Career-connected learning innovations will build learners’ skills and agency to effectively navigate lifelong career journeys, and grantees will be part of a wider effort to build an evidence base around these themes while addressing practical challenges in their communities and beyond. Catalyze Birmingham Challenge will fund, learn from, and share bold ideas that rethink the connections between the education system, postsecondary education, vocational programs, apprenticeships, and employment for young people in the Birmingham Region. While they encourage innovative ideas across a broad spectrum, the outcomes for this Birmingham challenge must be innovative, specific, and clear, with proposals directly impacting the career opportunities and potential success of local participants through career-connected learning. The Birmingham coalition will operate the challenge, and with the help of a regional evaluation and selection committee, it will engage, source, evaluate, and fund high-potential innovations. Funding Information The Catalyze Birmingham Challenge will award pilot grants between $50,000 and $250,000 each to power 12-24 months of exploratory implementation. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applications will serve learners who live, learn, or work in the Birmingham region, defined as Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties. For more information, visit Catalyze.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama is seeking applications for its Farley Moody Galbraith Fund. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama State: Alabama County: Calhoun County (AL), Cherokee County (AL), Clay County (AL), Cleburne County (AL), DeKalb County (AL), Etowah County (AL), Randolph County (AL), Saint Clair County (AL), Talladega County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Grants from the Farley Moody Galbraith Fund (FMGF) are limited to 501(c)(3) qualified public charities operating in CFNEA’s (9) nine county region. The purpose of the FMGF is to provide charitable support to a wide variety of charitable needs. Consideration shall be given to Mrs. Galbraith’s historical charitable giving that supported needy children, disadvantaged youth, and the arts. Funding Information Grant awards under $3,000.00 will receive 100% of the award amount upon receipt of the signed grant agreement. Project Period  Grant activities supported by a FMGF award may be sustained for one year, after the date the award is announced. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations that meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for a grant. All five (5) requirements must be met. Organizations classified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.S. code as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, donations which are deductible as charitable contributions or a governmental/state or county agency; Organizations with a minimum one-year operating history after the date of receipt of its 501 (c)(3) classification; Organization must have a board approved current written strategic plan for the whole organization that covers at least 24 months which includes the organization’s entire current fiscal year and the following: Mission statement; Strategic goals and measurable objectives. Organizations with revenues over $200,000.00 must submit an audited financial statement for a complete fiscal year. Organizations with an operating budget between $50,000.00- $199,999.00 must submit the most recent audit review or compilation. Organizations with an operating budget of $50,000.00 and below do not have to submit any audited documents. Eligible organizations are invited to apply for a grant from any fund of the Foundation accepting applications (both grant cycles) as long as you do not have an open grant with the particular fund you wish to apply to. Funding Restrictions In compliance with federal regulations and Community Foundation policies, the following types of grants will not be considered or funded: Organizations that have discriminatory policies and/or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex/gender, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information or political beliefs; Organizations with no 501(c)(3) IRS status unless you are a government/state agency; Organizations on the National Charity Watch List; Grants for dinners, fundraising and marketing events; Grants to endowments or other discretionary funding pools; Grants for capital campaign contributions (for building construction) or use of funds to cover capital campaign feasibility studies or campaign implementation expenses. This does not include regular maintenance; Grants for exhibitions and employee conference registrations, mileage to conference and conference fees; Grants for prizes, awards and scholarships; Grants for entertainment expenses; Grants for lobbying-related expenses; Grants for event sponsorships; Grants to organizations operating less than one year; Grants to individuals; Grants to religious organizations for religious purposes; Grants to organizations for projects outside CFNEA’s nine (9) county region; Grants for political purposes Orto influence elections; and Organizations that have an existing/open grant from the Foundation may not apply for a new grant within the same fund until the current grant documentation is completed and closed. For a grant to be considered completed and closed, the not-for-profit partner must have successfully submitted their Final Grant Report. For more information, visit CFNEA.

Applications are now being accepted for the Harland Jones Charitable Fund. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama State: Alabama County: Calhoun County (AL), Cherokee County (AL), Clay County (AL), Cleburne County (AL), DeKalb County (AL), Etowah County (AL), Randolph County (AL), Saint Clair County (AL), Talladega County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The purpose of the Harland Jones Charitable Fund (HJCF) is to provide charitable support to 501(c)(3) qualified public charities operating in CFNEA’s (9) nine county region with programing that focuses on education, literacy, safety, and development (moral and physical) for youth to age nineteen (19). Funding Information Grant awards under $3,000.00 will receive 100% of the award amount upon receipt of the signed grant agreement. Project Period Grant activities supported by an HJCF award may be sustained for one year, after the date the award is announced. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations that meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for a grant. All five (5) requirements must be met. Organizations classified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.S. code as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, donations which are deductible as charitable contributions or a governmental/state or county agency; Organizations with a minimum one-year operating history after the date of receipt of its 501 (c)(3) classification; Organization must have a board approved current written strategic plan for the whole organization that covers at least 24 months which includes the organization’s entire current fiscal year and the following: Mission statement; Strategic goals and measurable objectives. Organizations with revenues over $200,000.00 must submit an audited financial statement for a complete fiscal year. Organizations with an operating budget between $50,000.00- $199,999.00 must submit the most recent audit review or compilation. Organizations with an operating budget of $50,000.00 and below do not have to submit any auditeddocuments. Eligible organizations are invited to apply for a grant from any fund of the Foundation accepting applications (both grant cycles) as long as you do not have an open grant with the particular fund you wish to apply to. Funding Restrictions In compliance with federal regulations and Community Foundation policies, the following types of grants will not be considered or funded: Organizations that have discriminatory policies and/or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex/gender, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information or political beliefs; Organizations with no 501(c)(3) IRS status unless you are a government/state agency; Organizations on the National Charity Watch List; Grants for dinners, fundraising and marketing events; Grants to endowments or other discretionary funding pools; Grants for capital campaign contributions (for building construction) or use of funds to cover capital campaign feasibility studies or campaign implementation expenses. This does not include regular maintenance; Grants for exhibitions and employee conference registrations, mileage to conference and conference fees; Grants for prizes, awards and scholarships; Grants for entertainment expenses; Grants for lobbying-related expenses; Grants for event sponsorships; Grants to organizations operating less than one year; Grants to individuals; Grants requesting over $50,000; Grants to religious organizations for religious purposes; Grants to organizations for projects outside CFNEA’s nine (9) county region; Grants for political purposes or to influence elections; and Organizations that have an existing/open grant from the Foundation may not apply for a new grant within the same fund until the current grant documentation is completed and closed. For a grant to be considered completed and closed, the not-for-profit partner must have successfully submitted their Final Grant Report. For more information, visit CFNEA.

Applicants are invited to apply for the Foothills Community Partnership Charitable Grant Fund. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama State: Alabama County: Calhoun County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Grants from the Foothills Community Partnership Charitable Grant Fund are restricted to 501(c)(3) qualified public charities operating in Calhoun County, Alabama. The purpose of the FCPCF Fund is to benefit and enhance the sustainability of services of non-profit organizations that address human care issues in the Calhoun County, Alabama. The Fund’s focus is on programs and projects that address the following community issues: Education Community and economic development Safety and wellness Funding Information Grant awards under $3,000.00 will receive 100% of the award amount upon receipt of the signed grant agreement. Funding Duration Grant activities supported by a FCPCF award may be sustained for one year, after the date the award is announced. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations that meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for a grant. All five (5) requirements must be met. Organizations classified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.S. code as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, donations which are deductible as charitable contributions or a governmental/state or county agency; Organizations with a minimum one-year operating history after the date of receipt of its 501 (c)(3) classification; Organization must have a board approved current written strategic plan for the whole organization that covers at least 24 months which includes the organization’s entire current fiscal year and the following: Mission statement; Strategic goals and measurable objectives. Organizations with revenues over $200,000.00 must submit an audited financial statement for a complete fiscal year. Organizations with an operating budget between $50,000.00- $199,999.00mustsubmitthemostrecent audit review or compilation. Organizations with an operating budget of $50,000.00 and below do not have to submit any audited documents. Eligible organizations are invited to apply for a grant from any fund of the Foundation accepting applications (both grant cycles) as long as you do not have an open grant with the particular fund you wish to apply to. Funding Restrictions In compliance with federal regulations and Community Foundation policies, the following types of grants will not be considered or funded: Organizations that have discriminatory policies and/or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex/gender, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information or political beliefs; Organizations with no 501(c)(3) IRS status unless you are a government/state agency; Organizations on the National Charity Watch List; Grants for dinners, fundraising and marketing events; Grants to endowments or other discretionary funding pools; Grants for capital campaign contributions (for building construction) or use of funds to cover capital campaign feasibility studies or campaign implementation expenses. This does not include regular maintenance; Grants for exhibitions and employee conference registrations, mileage to conference and conference fees; Grants for prizes, awards and scholarships; Grants for entertainment expenses; Grants for lobbying-related expenses; Grants for event sponsorships; Grants to organizations operating less than one year; Grants to individuals; Grants to religious organizations for religious purposes; Grants to organizations for projects outside CFNEA’s nine (9) county region; Grants for political purposes Orto influence elections; and Organizations that have an existing/open grant from the Foundation may not apply for a new grant within the same fund until the current grant documentation is completed and closed. For a grant to be considered completed and closed, the not-for-profit partner must have successfully submitted their Final Grant Report. For more information, visit CFNEA.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in West Alabama to address critical community needs in areas such as arts, education, health, and social welfare through innovative and collaborative projects.

Technical Assistance Grants to support a nonprofit organization seeking to strengthen their internal operations and improve the effectiveness of their organization in Lowndes, Macon and/or Montgomery counties. Donor Name: Central Alabama Community Foundation State: Alabama County: Lowndes County (AL), Macon County (AL), Montgomery County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Organizations may request funding for assistance with Strategic Planning, Organizational/Board Infrastructure, Fund Development and/or Marketing/Public Relations. Funding Information Grant application for a maximum award of $3,000. Ineligibility  Grants/Funding are not awarded to: Individuals Annual fundraising drives, events or marketing campaigns Endowments Partisan political advocacy Regular operating support or capital projects Religious purposes (although they do support educational and social service programs offered by faith-based organizations) Research Sponsorship of fundraising events Start-up costs. For more information, visit CACF.

This initiative provides funding to Alabama schools serving K-12 students to implement health, nutrition, and physical education programs that promote student well-being and healthy habits.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Huntsville, Alabama, that enhance community quality of life through projects in various focus areas such as arts, education, health, and economic opportunity.

The Women’s Philanthropy Society is accepting applications to leave a legacy of love an enduring gift for generations to come across a broad spectrum of issues impacting community’s quality of life. Donor Name: Women’s Philanthropy Society State: Alabama County: Limestone County (AL), Madison County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas For 2024, the Women’s Philanthropy Society has chosen the focus issue of Health & Wellness.  Funding information  $50,000 (Up to two high impact $50,000 grants may be awarded)  Funding Priority Priority will be given to projects that meet the following criteria: Strategically address the focus area. Involve more than one agency or organization and are collaborative in nature Address a desired systemic change. Provide clear and measurable outcomes.  Geographic Areas Greater Huntsville, Alabama (Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and/or Morgan counties). Eligible Expenses Program costs for new and/or existing programs, including reasonable staff time associated with the implementation of the program/project. Training and support for volunteers who assist in program/project implementation. Capital expenses. Eligibility Criteria All grants from this Fund must be made for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes to any organization that is described Code Section 170(c)(2), 501(c)(3), 2055(a)(2) or 2522(a)(2) (except for private foundations as defined by Code Section 509(a)) (“qualified organization”). Qualified organizations also include schools, religious institutions, or government agencies located in the Greater Huntsville area.  Ineligible Expenses Organizations not organized as “qualified organizations” as defined in Eligible Recipients section above Grants to individuals  Debt reduction Endowment campaigns Special events Annual campaigns Membership drives Conference expenses Political activities. For more information, visit Foundant Technologies.

The Alabama RC&D Grants special projects that enhance the human and natural resources to improve the quality of life for local Alabama citizens. Donor Name: Alabama Association of RC&D Councils State: Alabama County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priorities The FY 2024-2025 Priorities are as follows:  General Funds Projects related to Natural Resources Conservation Community Facilities and Services Tourism and Economic Development Education Funds K-12 Outdoor Education Education to Benefit Small Farmers and/or Community Gardens, etc. K-12 Technology Workforce/ Community Training Projects that cover all nine member council regions Projects that cover more than three council regions Projects that only cover three council regions Projects submitted by an RC&D council (or multiple councils) Projects submitted by partnering organizations. Funding Information $5,000.00 – $25,000.00. Eligibility Criteria Must be a registered 501c3 not-for-profit or unit or sub-unit of government. Restrictions Operational/Administration phases of established programs Salaries or expected operational cost Endowment campaigns Religious organizations for religious purposes Individuals directly Development or public relations activities (e.g. literature, videos, etc.) Purchase of land/property Post-event or after-the-fact situations. For more information, visit AARC&DC.

9th Round of Child Care Workforce Stabilization Grant (CCWS) The Department of Human Resources is pleased to announce the 9th round of the Child Care Workforce Stabilization Grant (CCWS). These grants have been issued to child care providers since the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic in March 2020, aiming to stabilize the child care community. The CCWS grants have significantly contributed to supporting recruitment and retention efforts in the sector. Grant Details: Grant Type: CCWS Grant Grant Amount: Bonus payment up to $3,000 to eligible child care staff Purpose: Staff retention and recruitment support Eligibility Requirements: Specific eligibility requirements outlined in the grant guidance accessible at https://dhr.alabama.gov/child-care/ Application period: April 17, 2024, to May 22, 2024 No late applications will be accepted All eligible providers must complete the initial application for this round

The Eisner Prize Fellowship is a new program designed to support leaders pioneering innovations in intergenerational connection. Since 2011, the Eisner Foundation has awarded the Eisner Prize to honor people and organizations doing exceptional intergenerational work across the country. In this next phase in the evolution of the Eisner Prize, The Eisner Foundation is providing financial resources, networking opportunities, and the prestige of the Eisner Prize to leaders with new ideas and perspectives that will propel the field forward. The Eisner Prize Fellows application is open to anyone working to innovate in the area of intergenerational connection – whether that be through research, programs, technology, or other efforts advancing the field. Young people, people of color, and those working with historically marginalized communities are particularly encouraged to apply. The application for the 2024-25 cycle is open from April 24 to May 22, and questions can be reviewed in advance here.

The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is seeking applications for its Compass Society Grant program. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville State: Alabama County: Jackson County (AL), Limestone County (AL), Madison County (AL), Marshall County (AL), Morgan County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/27/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Through the power of generosity, the Compass Society implements collaborative, visionary projects that have a significant and sustainable impact across many areas of community’s quality of life. Visionary doesn’t just mean something new, but rather it is the future-focused opportunity to create a community you want for your children and your grandchildren. These proposals require organizations in community to work together to achieve something greater than any one organization could achieve alone, no matter how great the work they are doing. Focus Areas The work of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville stretches across eight areas in the Quality of Life Framework, which are defined below.  Arts & Culture Enriches the community through arts, culture, and lifestyle experiences Basic Needs Provides food, clothing, shelter, and other basic necessities Economic Opportunity Equips individuals and organizations through training, creating employment opportunities, and promoting growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem Education  Invests in early childhood development, K-12 students, college and career readiness, post-secondary education, and lifelong learning Environment Stewards community’s natural resources Health & Wellness Addresses physical and mental health and wellness Neighborhoods & Communities Strengthens entire neighborhoods or communities through a holistic approach Recreation Engages in experiences that refresh the mind, body and spirit Priorities Priority will be given to projects that meet the following criteria: Visionary Create innovative, future-focused projects or programs Collaborative Involve three or more partners that may or may not all be nonprofits. The organization applying must meet the Eligible Recipient qualifications below. Span the focus areas in the Quality of Life Framework  Impact three or more of the focus areas listed above High-impact Affect a large number of people through scalable, ripple-effect transformation Funding Information  $50,000 Eligible Expenses Program costs for new and/or existing programs Reasonable staff and/or volunteer time and training associated with the implementation of the program/project Geographic Focus  Greater Huntsville, Alabama (Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties). Eligibility Criteria All grants from this Fund must be made for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes to any organization that is described Code Section 170(c)(2), 501(c)(3), 2055(a)(2) or 2522(a)(2) (except for private foundations as defined by Code Section 509(a)) (“qualified organization”). Qualified organizations also include schools, religious institutions, or government agencies located in the Greater Huntsville area. For more information, visit CFGH.

The Huntsville Utilities Innovation Dividend Fund, derived from ancillary revenues, not rate payer money from customers, strives to impact service area by providing grants to qualified, nonprofit organizations that are serving a public good. Donor Name: Huntsville Utilities State: Alabama County: Madison County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: While Huntsville Utilities is a not-for-profit municipal utility providing foundational services to customers, they also endeavor to enhance the quality of life and economic health of the community they serve. Focus Areas Disaster Relief (preparation for or mitigation of disaster situations) Education (STEM or other educational enhancements) Housing, Health, and Wellness (critical needs and physical and mental health) Priorities Aligns with Huntsville Utilities’ values to do what’s right, build community, and get better every day Serves the public purpose of enhancing the general welfare of the citizens of Huntsville/Madison County Unique project Clear and measurable outcomes Strategically addresses focus area Commitment to diversity Funding Information $25,000 – $50,000. Geographic Focus Huntsville or Madison County. Eligible Expenses Program costs for new and/or existing programs Reasonable staff and/or volunteer time and training associated with the implementation of the program/project Capital expenses Professional development expenses Eligibility Criteria All grants from this Fund must be made for charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes to any organization that is described Code Section 170(c)(2), 501(c)(3), 2055(a)(2) or 2522(a)(2) (except for private foundations as defined by Code Section 509(a)) (“qualified organization”). Qualified organizations also include schools, religious institutions, or government agencies located in the Huntsville/Madison County area. For more information, visit Huntsville Utilities.

The LGBTQ Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is thrilled to announce the release of its Request for Proposals (RFP), launching the 2024 Grant Cycle. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham State: Alabama County: Blount County (AL), Jefferson County (AL), Saint Clair County (AL), Shelby County (AL), Walker County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The LGBTQ Fund seeks to support organizations focused on: Strengthen the infrastructure of organizations led by or serving LGBTQ persons Support the provision of services to LGBTQ youth, individuals and families Provide educational opportunities that highlight the needs of the LGBTQ community Advance collaboration between LGBTQ organizations and other community organizations Support nonprofit partners working on public policy and social justice issues that intersect with LGBTQ concerns Priority will be given to proposals that specifically address the needs of LGBTQ communities that have been most demonstrably underserved, including but not limited to, communities of color, youth, seniors, transgender individuals, gender non-binary persons and persons in rural communities. Priority will also be given to intersectional programs addressing inclusive healthcare and mental health services, immigrant advocacy, racial and economic justice, faith and acceptance. Funding Information Typical grant amounts range from $3,000 to $7,000. The LGBTQ Fund will consider general operating expenses, provided these expenses are justified in the application. Criteria Grants will be awarded to non-profit organizations in Central Alabama (Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties) that serve the LGBTQ community or seek to expand existing programs to be inclusive and affirming of persons who identify as LGBTQ. They encourage organizations who are not currently designated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to apply using a fiscal sponsor. For more information, visit CFGB.

This program provides financial assistance to small rural hospitals with 49 or fewer beds to help them improve healthcare quality and meet Medicare data system requirements, including implementing new coding systems and enhancing patient care reporting.

Through its competitive grant-making process, The Community Foundation of South Alabama (“CFSA”) awards grants to local nonprofits serving Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Monroe, Conecuh, Choctaw, Clarke, and Washington Counties. Donor Name: Community Foundation of South Alabama State: Alabama County: Baldwin County (AL), Choctaw County (AL), Clarke County (AL), Conecuh County (AL), Escambia County (AL), Mobile County (AL), Monroe County (AL), Washington County (AL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: These grants are funded through the Foundation’s unrestricted funds and field of interest funds established by donors to address the most pressing needs in the community. Focus Areas  The Community Foundation of South Alabama has six key focus areas for the eight-county footprint: Family, Education, Work, Racial Equity, Arts and Culture, and Mental and Behavioral Health. For 2024, the Foundation will accept grant applications in the following six priorities: Promoting parenting education Expanding opportunities to help young people get well-paying jobs through workforce training Increasing access to preschool education Increasing youth access to extracurricular activities Advance matters of fairness and racial equity with a critical focus on underprivileged youth Increasing youth access to equitable, high-quality arts and culture Mental and behavioral supports for individuals and families. Types of Grants Through its competitive grant-making, CFSA is awarding program grants only in 2024. These grants are typically one-year funding commitments. Program Grants  Program grants enable a nonprofit organization or coalition of organizations and interested stakeholders to implement a specific project designed to benefit the community. CFSA is most interested in supporting sustainable programs that have the potential to produce meaningful results on community priorities and/or needs. Funding is provided for the expansion or refinement of existing programs as well as new programs that show promise of efficacy and sustainability. Grants to programs with a successful track record are also considered. Program grants are restricted to expenses directly and indirectly related to the operation of the project. No more than 20% may be used to pay for indirect or administrative expenses. Grants may not be used for general operating support or organizational capacity building. Funding Information As a general rule, CFSA prefers program grant requests that do not exceed 50% of the budget for the program/project/activity for which the proposal is seeking support. This demonstrates that the proposal has a diversified base of support and has some measure of community buy-in. CFSA grant amounts may range from $5,000-$15,000. Requests should not exceed $15,000. Please be advised that submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Geographical Areas Organizations must serve a portion of the eight-county region which includes Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties. All requested funding must directly benefit individuals who reside in CFSA’s eight-county region. Eligibility Criteria  Applicant organizations must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, government entity, educational institution, or religious organization. If applying using fiscal sponsorship, the applicant must present a formal written agreement. CFSA Typically Does Not Fund: Individuals Fundraising expenses Religious activities Conference or seminar expenses Lobbying or political activities Political organizations or candidates for public office Budget deficit or debit reduction Scholarship or endowment funds of another charity Tickets for charity benefits Capital projects and campaigns. For more information, visit CFSA.

Alabama Arts Project Grants support a wide range of arts activities and events, aiming to deliver positive arts experiences to the public. These include festivals, performances, exhibitions, and workshops among others, with the goal of fostering community engagement and appreciation for the arts. Applications are accepted from April 1 through June 4, 2024, for activities between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, and from July 1 through September 3, 2024, for activities between January 1 and September 30, 2025.

The Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund (ARDEF), established under the Alabama Innovation Act (AIA) by Legislative Act #2019-404, aims to stimulate research and development within Alabama to create employment opportunities and enhance products and services for its citizens. The program supports new and ongoing research and development projects in partnership with private sector applicants and emphasizes financial commitments from industry partners. ARDEF prioritizes projects that demonstrate significant potential for economic impact, particularly benefiting small- and medium-sized businesses, and improving the state's employment landscape and available services. Grant renewed every year.

The Scholar Grants program, offered by the Alabama Power Foundation, provides funding to public school teachers in grades two to eight. The grants aim to support professional development and instructional tools that will help raise student achievement in math and/or English language arts (ELA) to grade level proficiency and beyond. Each grade level team can receive up to $7,500 in funding. The grants can be used for professional development, instructional resources, and classroom technology. There are two application cycles: Cycle 1 opens on March 25, 2024, and closes on April 26, 2024; Cycle 2 opens on August 5, 2024, and closes on September 6, 2024. Priority will be given to public schools with a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunches or schools that are Title I schools. Collaboration among grade level teams is encouraged, and middle school teacher teams may include multiple grade levels if necessary. Teachers must select professional development focused on math and/or ELA concepts as part of their grant proposal. The grants should aim to improve student achievement, and the impact will be measured accordingly. The funds should be used for effective professional development that focuses on content and pedagogy and facilitates ongoing learning. Instructional resources and classroom technology should be selected to increase engagement, scaffold instruction, and improve learning outcomes. Scholar Grants cannot be used for primary or secondary private schools or non-school organizations. Grant proposals must support raising student achievement in math or ELA. Required information for the grant application includes general school information (address, tax ID, enrollment), school principal background (years at the school, highest educational attainment), teacher team background (contact information, teaching experience), grant proposal details (number of students impacted, description of use of funds), and measurement of impact on student achievement by the teacher team. Recipient organizations must have tax-exempt status under the IRS Code and must not discriminate. Awards are paid to the school, not individuals. Applications will be reviewed by the Alabama Power Foundation for adherence to the Scholar Grant