NOTE: We don’t have grant application deadlines. Instead, we ask that you send in your proposal at least 90 days before you would like to receive a response from our foundation.

Dekko Foundation Grant

Our Funding Priorities

We believe children and young people from birth through age 18 are naturally wired to achieve economic freedom through their own development and by being in learning environments that support their self-sufficiency. When they have opportunities to connect their skills and talents to careers, they further their ability to create goods and services for others. It is through the creation of value for others within our democracy and free-enterprise system that they can earn, build, use, and share their wealth in the manner they choose. In other words, they have achieved economic freedom.

Through our grantmaking, we invest in the healthy development of children and young people and in environments that nurture their self-sufficiency. Using what we’ve learned over our four decades as a grantmaker and our understanding of the principles of child development, we have established a set of funding priorities that guides our work.

Early Childhood Development

Birth through Age 5

We believe that quality early childhood education is the basis for a life of economic freedom. In fact, we believe that early childhood is the most critical stage for children’s social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual development.

Child development research tells us that children of this age:

• Think concretely, not abstractly.
• Learn through their senses.
• Strive for independence.
• Do not yet understand that others have rights.

Middle Childhood Development

Ages 6 through 12

We believe that middle childhood development builds on a child’s early childhood experiences. Further, we believe that each child develops in their own way, and on a timetable that reflects their unique needs.

Child development research tells us that children of this age:

• Develop a strong interest in the world around them.
• Long for an array of experiences outside of their home.
• Thrive as they interact with positive adults other than parents, family and caregivers.
• Are in a fragile emotional stage for self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Begin developing the ability to reason.
• Move from concrete to abstract thinking.
• Need a stimulating environment centered on their needs.

In this area of focus we want to fund projects that result in opportunities for children ages six through twelve to develop socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually.

Adolescent Development 

Ages 13-18

We believe that adolescent development builds on a child’s experiences in middle childhood. We believe further that each adolescent develops in their own way, and on a timetable that reflects their unique needs.

Youth development research tells us that young people of this age:

• Exhibit an extreme push for independence.
• Are less interested in formal learning.
• Become interested in society and their role.
• Are capable of advanced reasoning and logical thought processes.
• Begin to carefully think through issues of social justice.
• Start to ponder their purpose in life.
• Need support and understanding from caring adults as they discover their place in society.
• Need positive adult role models.
• Need opportunities for meaningful participation at home, school and within the community.

In this area of focus we want to fund projects that result in opportunities for young people ages thirteen to eighteen to develop socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually.

Community Development

We believe that healthy and vibrant communities contribute significantly to the positive development of children and young people. The best of those communities act as economic freedom role models for their citizens.

Community development research tells us that vibrant communities exhibit:

• Evidence of community pride.
• Willingness to invest in the future.
• Awareness of how their community compares to others.
• Deliberate transition of power to a younger generation of leaders.
• Strong belief in, and support for, education.
• Willingness to seek help from the outside.
• Conviction that, in the long run, they have to do things for themselves.

Hearst Foundations' Mission

The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives.

Hearst Foundations' Goals

The Foundations seek to achieve their mission by funding approaches that result in:

• Improved health and quality of life
• Access to high quality educational options to promote increased academic achievement
• Arts and sciences serving as a cornerstone of society
• Sustainable employment and productive career paths for adults
• Stabilizing and supporting families

Funding Priorities

The Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of interests – culture, education, health and social service – and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Culture

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those which enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent.

Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Education

The Hearst Foundations fund educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society. The Foundations’ focus is largely on higher education, but they also fund innovative models of early childhood and K-12 education, as well as professional development.

Types of Support: Program, scholarship, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Health

The Hearst Foundations assist leading regional hospitals, medical centers and specialized medical institutions providing access to high-quality healthcare for low-income populations. In response to the shortage of healthcare professionals necessary to meet the country’s evolving needs, the Foundations also fund programs designed to enhance skills and increase the number of practitioners and educators across roles in healthcare. Because the Foundations seek to use their funds to create a broad and enduring impact on the nation’s health, support for medical research and the development of young investigators is also considered.

Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, endowment support

Social Service

The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Types of Support: Program, capital and general support

Walmart’s more than 2 million associates are residents, neighbors, friends and family in thousands of communities around the globe. Walmart works to strengthen these communities through both retail business and community giving, and we support and invest in communities through local giving. The following programs have open application processes with specific deadlines for eligibility and consideration.

Local Community Grants

Each year, our U.S. stores and clubs award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate. They include a variety of organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services and community clean-up projects.

Areas of Funding

• There are eight (8) areas of funding for which an organization can apply. Please review the areas listed below to ensure your organization’s goals fall within one of these areas.
• Community and Economic Development: Improving local communities for the benefit of low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering the building of relationships and understanding among diverse groups in the local service area
• Education: Providing afterschool enrichment, tutoring or vocational training for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Environmental Sustainability: Preventing waste, increasing recycling, or supporting other programs that work to improve the environment in the local service area
• Health and Human Service: Providing medical screening, treatment, social services, or shelters for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating: Providing Federal or charitable meals/snacks for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Public Safety: Supporting public safety programs through training programs or equipment in the local service area
• Quality of Life: Improving access to recreation, arts or cultural experiences for low-income individuals and families in the local service area

Bring independent documentary filmmakers to your community for screenings and conversations around powerful stories and the art of filmmaking. Screening Partners are partner organizations that present Southern Circuit screenings, Q&As, and other filmmaker engagements with the community. Screening Partners develop screening audiences through strategic marketing and partnerships. As a group, they participate in the film selection process and discuss programming/marketing strategies for each film. Screening Partners act as hosts to touring filmmakers, providing recommendations for travel, lodging, and dining.

South Arts coordinates filmmaker tours and provides marketing materials for each film. South Arts recognizes the value of filmmaker participation by providing an honorarium for each filmmaker’s tour, with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Screening Partners must be nonprofit, educational, or governmental organizations residing in the South Arts region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee). Southern Circuit Screening Partners have included schools, churches, arts centers, municipalities, and other organizations, serving audiences of all ages.

Southern Circuit is invested in partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the South Arts region.

What films are presented?

Southern Circuit prioritizes featuring Southern filmmakers and stories. We are committed to presenting films by filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, and filmmakers with disabilities. Selected filmmakers should have an ethical relationship with the topics and individuals/communities represented in their work. We are invested in including emerging and first-time filmmakers.

Screening Partners are provided a Southern Circuit Film Guide with potential selections for the season. Screening Partners work together to select six films that will tour to all Screening Partners. The Southern Circuit Film Selection Meeting will be held in June. At least one representative from your organization will be required to participate.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Alabama State Council on the Arts 

The Alabama State Council on the Arts is the agency charged with supporting the arts in Alabama, primarily through grant funding. It was established in 1966 by an act of the Alabama Legislature to benefit non-profit arts organizations, schools, colleges, local government departments, and individual artists to provide arts programming for the general public. The Council on the Arts works to expand Alabama’s cultural resources and preserve its unique cultural heritage . A high priority is placed on arts programming by and for schools and school-aged children.

Visual Arts

Nurturing excellence, professionalism, multiculturalism and audience access in the disciplines of painting, sculpture, crafts, printmaking, design, photography, and media that have origins and/or impact in Alabama.

Projects support a wide range of activities undertaken by museums, art galleries, art centers, and other organizations with visual arts and crafts programming. Preference is given to activities emphasizing the work, display, and interpretation of professional Alabama visual artists and crafts people.

Consolidated Project Grant

A single application that consolidates several related projects by the requesting organization may be submitted for new or existing activities.  

Examples of appropriate singular visual arts projects include:

• Projects that make programming accessible to special constituencies.
• Conservation of art works.
• Planning, preparation, promotion, and mounting of exhibitions by professional artists.
• Residencies or workshops conducted by recognized artists who do not work with the organization on a regular basis.
• Educational activities or services undertaken by a gallery or museum.
• Commissioning new works by Alabama artists or offering purchase awards to artists in juried exhibitions.
• Commissioning or purchasing works for art for public places. Consult with the Visual Arts Program Manager to determine the proper program category and appropriate supporting documentation.
• Activities enhancing the professional growth of visual arts and crafts organizations. This may include bringing in a consultant to implement an administrative or artist development project.
• Conferences and workshops designed to enhance communication, planning, programming, and artist skills.
• Publications promoting shows, artist and activities within the state, special documentary pieces for public use and non-commercial purposes; art criticism and discussion featuring Alabama artists and art work; and resource directories featured and presented as the main purpose of the festival.
• Touring of special exhibitions.

Appropriate singular media/photography projects include:

• Creative works about a broad range of topics and/or journalistic documentation of an artist or art form.
• Supplementing funds for producing, processing, editing, and distributing films, video, audio or other media presentations for public use.
• Residencies or workshops conducted by recognized film/video makers and photographers to discuss their art and interact with local artists and the public.
• Commissioning of a film or video by a recognized Alabama film or video artist(s) to be presented to the public as an expressive art form.
• Conferences and workshops designed to enhance communication, understanding, artistic and programming skills, planning, and cooperation relative to the media arts.
• Noncommercial publications promoting media arts and providing information on media arts for the general public.
• Film and/or video festival showcasing the work of independent media artists working in the state.

Criteria for Evaluation

The quality of work to be presented is an important consideration in reviewing proposals.Applications are graded on the following aspects: artistic excellence, Alabama’s living cultural heritage, evidence of community support, educational benefits, benefits to artists, cultural diversity, accessibility, appropriateness of venue, strength of personnel, an appropriate budget, established partnerships, and potential for long-term impact. 

Consolidated projects are also examined for the cohesiveness and interdependence of the aspects of the project.

NOTE: The 'pre proposal' deadline above is the priority deadline. It is not mandatory, but all applicants who submit by this date will receive feedback from the Outschool.org team.

Outschool.org Community Partner Grant Program

Are you an innovative microschool, homeschooling co-op, community-based organization, or K-12 district or charter school looking to provide high-quality, enriching, and learner-led education? 

Outschool.org is looking for at least eight organizations (“community partners”) aiming to close academic achievement and/or enrichment gaps for BIPOC and economically marginalized learners for our third cohort of community partners, sponsored by Walton Family Foundation. We co-design programs with community organizations and offer funding for program support, education design expertise, family navigation tools and programming, training, and access to technology resources. 

What Will Community Partners Receive?

Training & Support Valued at More Than $85,000

Throughout over the course of 1-2 years, Outschool.org will provide all community partners with support in educational programming co-design, marketing, family training and community building, and organizational stability and growth.

One $10,000 Grant to Support Program Implementation

All community partners will receive funding to pay caregivers to navigate educational options, or use towards stipends or salaries required for on-the-ground program support. For partner organizations that do not have direct-to-family public funds, Outschool.org will also provide $500/learner.

Free and Discounted Resources

Community partners will gain access to free and discounted resources, including but not limited to Outschool classes. Other high-quality content providers grantees can access include Reconstruction, CommonLit, Zearn, and Newsela.

NOTE: A limited number of applicants will then be invited to submit a full application. Preceding the deadline for a full proposal, all invited applicants will be required to schedule a virtual meeting with South Arts to discuss their project. 

Cross-Sector Impact Grants

South Arts recognizes that as our communities continue to change, the arts play an incomparable role in addressing many of our communal and individual challenges and strengths. Further, the value of partnership and working together across sectors brings new opportunities, increased effectiveness, and greater depth to our collective work. Through this program, South Arts seeks to provide significant support to projects developed by partners that harness the power of “Arts & …”.

South Arts is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.  Cross-Sector Impact Grants are open to all art forms, for partnership projects taking place in South Arts’ nine-state region. Eligible projects will continue to feature “Arts & …”, for example, arts and the military, arts and equity, arts and aging, arts and community revitalization. Applicants may be organizations, units of government, higher educational institutions, or artists.

For applicants new to this program that did not receive a Cross-Sector Impact Grant in FY20, FY21 or FY22, matching grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded. For these projects, South Arts encourages applications for new projects. However, projects that deepen and expand existing partnerships may also apply. For applicants/projects that did receive funding through this program in FY20, FY21, or FY22 matching grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded in order to continue or advance the project. South Arts anticipates that this grant program will be highly competitive and that successful applications will be fully funded. 

South Arts’ mission is advancing Southern vitality through the arts. This program addresses two of South Arts’ strategic goals:

• Connect artists and arts professionals in the South to resources that will increase opportunities for success within and outside the region
• Advance impactful arts-based programs that recognize and address trends and evolving needs of a wide range of communities in the South

Project Requirements

South Arts welcomes proposals from partnering entities working together on a project that addresses arts and community impact through cross-sector partnership. Projects must utilize the arts as a tool in creative approaches to address and advance an issue that is of importance in their community. Projects should also establish or advance relationships across at least two different sectors, one being in the arts. 

Arts disciplines may include, but are not limited to:

• Performing arts, including dance, music, theater, musical theater, and opera;
• Literary arts, including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry;
• Visual arts, including craft, drawing, experimental, painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media;
• Film or media;
• Traditional and folk arts, including music, craft, storytelling, dance; or
• Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary artforms.

Community impact areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Education, including literacy, youth development;
• Environment, including sustainability, weather impact;
• Health and human services, including aging, prisons and rehabilitation, military;
• Infrastructure, including housing, community revitalization, food and nutrition; or
• Social justice, including immigration, community activation, equity and accessibility.

Matching Requirements

For applicants/projects that are new to this program, the minimum grant request for this program is $5,000; the maximum request is $15,000. For applicants/projects that did receive funding in FY20, FY21 and/or FY22, the minimum grant request for this program is $5,000; the maximum request is $10,000.

A match of at least 1:2 is required, meaning for each grant-funded dollar, the grantee must provide $.50 towards the project.

Up to half of the match may be comprised of in-kind contributions such as donated materials, donated services, or other contributed non-cash assets or staff time diverted to this project. At least half of the match must be cash and cannot include salaried staff time allocated to this project. However, contracted services specifically for this project may be included in the cash match. 

Our Mission

To achieve positive change through the generosity of donors, now and for generations to come.

Our Values

We aspire to be recognized as Northeast Alabama’s trusted philanthropic leader that champions thriving communities and improves lives through collaborative partnerships.

Harland Jones Charitable Fund

The Harland Jones Charitable Fund was a gift from Mr. Jones, an Oxford resident, to the youth in the counties served by the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (CFNEA). Knowing that educated children are more productive members of society and more likely to live a life of faith, Mr. Jones established this permanent endowment fund to promote and support literacy, education, safety, and development (moral and physical) of children up to age nineteen (19).