The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham (Alabama: Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount and Walker counties)

Deadlines for proposals for grants from Community Funds are March 15 and September 15 of each year. If the 15th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, proposals may be hand-delivered to the office the following Monday during office hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). Proposals delivered by mail must be postmarked by the deadline. The Foundation does not accept applications by e-mail. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is a permanent community endowment, established in 1959 and made up of more than 300 grantmaking funds. The Community Foundation makes grants from Community Funds for the following types of proposals, focusing on programs and organizations that address current Interest Areas and Priorities or emerging needs in the community: (1) specific programs in the Foundation's Interest Areas and Priorities; (2) organizational capacity building (supporting activities that strengthen and help the organization to better fulfill its mission, including staff development, planning, data collection and evaluation); capital projects (improving the physical assets, including building, technology, furniture, or equipment that address priorities listed below); startup organizations (addressing priorities or emerging needs in the community). The Foundation has defined grantmaking priorities based on data within "Community Counts" and other reports, such as Alabama Kids Count and the Cultural Master Plan for Greater Birmingham. These include the following six Interest Areas, printed in bold, as well as priorities which are listed under each area. (1) Arts and Culture: (a) programs/activities that reach out to underserved populations; (b) community arts development in underserved neighborhoods; (c) programs/services that strengthen and support local artists. (2) Education: (a) early education and care; (b) language and reading readiness; (c) keeping children in school; (d) family literacy/adult education; (e) professional development for teachers. (3) Environment: (a) community-focused parks and green spaces; (b) stewardship of natural resources; (c) smart growth. (4) Health: (a) access to care; (b) early screening and referral; (c) mental/physical disabilities; (d) teen pregnancy, prenatal care and education; (e) fitness and nutrition. Human Services/Strengthening Families: (a) services for children and families living in poverty; (b) services to elderly in need; (c) prevention of child abuse and neglect; (d) parenting resources; (e) family literacy; (f) access to quality child care; (g) prevention of substance abuse. (5) Supportive Communities: (a) safe, livable communities; (b) advocacy for the poor and underserved; (c) transportation; (d) access to emergency assistance for basic needs; (e) citizen involvement. Special purpose funds support initiatives during times of crisis, in memorium, and for particular challenges or creative projects. In considering grant proposals, the Community Foundation looks for certain key principles related to accountability; collaboration; evaluation; innovation; justice; leverage, management planning, prevention, social capital, sustainability and a the degree to which the project takes a systemic approach. Consult the program guidelines for detailed information concerning these principles.

History of Funds:

A Report to the Community is provided at http://www.foundationbirmingham.org/page30999.cfm. Audited financial information as of year-end 2006, including total assets of $143 million, gifts to the Community Foundation of $14.2 million and total grantmaking of $14 million is available at this link.

Average Award:

Varies

Name: James McCrary, Senior Program Officer

Department: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Street: 2100 First Avenue North

Suite 700

City: Birmingham

Zip: 35203

Email: jmccrary@foundationbirmingham.org

Fax: 205-328-6576