Best Recreation Grants for Nonprofits in Alabama

About Us

Leadership. Collaboration. Impact.

The Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley helps philanthropists support the causes closest to their heart while connecting local residents to the resources they need for a better quality of life.

Our Mission

To serve as a leader and advocate for strategic philanthropy, partnering with donors to anchor a permanent and growing endowment and making investments in the Mahoning Valley that improve the quality of life for all residents.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your Community, Your Support System

Our community members support hundreds of local students every year through various scholarships facilitated by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley.

Established in memory of Melinda “Mindy” Henning.

The J.M. Heberlig/B.J. Helterbran Scholarship Fund, established by dedicated educators, supports Pennsylvania residents pursuing degrees in Art Education or Recreation & Parks. This scholarship aims to alleviate the financial burden on students entering their second, third, or fourth year at a 4-year institution. With a focus on academic achievement, a minimum GPA of 2.8 overall and 3.0 in the major is required, alongside a demonstrated commitment to education and community service.

About

Created by the community for the good of the community, the GLCCF is here to turn problems into opportunities through strategic grant making and initiatives created to address our region’s most pressing needs. We work with you to identify your charitable goals, and we ensure that they are carried out efficiently.

Work with us to make the kind of impact you want to see in your community. Let us take on the financial complexities and paperwork, while you focus on the important things like fostering good works throughout our community.

When you give to the Greater Lake City Community Foundation, you are making an investment that will benefit the community, now and in the future.

GLCCF Schreck Family Soccer Scholarship

To award annually a scholarship to a qualified applicant who intends to pursue education toward a 4-year college degree.

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides grants to enhance community quality of life across 28 states, focusing on educational, cultural, and social service initiatives. With over $150 million contributed since 2000, the foundation emphasizes projects with strong local engagement and BNSF employee involvement. Eligible organizations include public charities, local governments, and tribal governments, while ineligible entities encompass religious organizations and those with discriminatory practices. Priority is given to environmental, health, and cultural projects.

The Joseph S. Bruno Charitable Foundation Grant aims to foster a supportive community for families and children in Birmingham, emphasizing health, education, and collaboration. The foundation prioritizes programs that enhance access to healthcare and education for underserved populations, while also providing technical assistance and partnerships. By focusing on holistic community improvement and collaboration with various stakeholders, the foundation seeks to create a lasting impact through strategic grantmaking and support.

The Greater Brewton Foundation Grant supports local non-profits in the Greater Brewton area by funding projects that enhance health, education, culture, and neighborhood improvement. Established in 1994, the Foundation awards grants annually, providing crucial resources to a variety of organizations, including schools, healthcare, and food pantries. Non-profits can apply for funding requests of $3,000 or less, or for larger amounts, with applications accepted each October.

DICK'S Sporting Goods offers a Sponsorships & Donations Program aimed at supporting youth sports leagues and organizations. They prioritize requests that promote community engagement and character development through sports. Eligible organizations must operate in areas with a DICK'S store and adhere to anti-discrimination policies. The program evaluates requests monthly, with sponsorships up to $25,000 and donations up to $250. Support may include gift certificates or coupons for teams and events, fostering an inclusive sports culture.

The Community Foundation of West Alabama offers community grants aimed at supporting charitable initiatives in various sectors including arts, education, health, and social welfare. Established in 1999, the foundation prioritizes projects that address critical community needs and foster collaboration. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations in specific Alabama counties, but do not fund individuals or religious purposes. The foundation prefers requests that demonstrate clear impact and sustainable financial planning.

The IronMountain Solutions Employee Peaks Fund, established in 2018 in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, supports local non-profits. With over $400,000 donated by employees, the fund prioritizes quality of life initiatives such as arts, basic needs, economic opportunity, education, environment, health, and community development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) non-profits serving the Huntsville area, ensuring services are accessible to all community members.

The Compass Society Grantmaking, part of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, aims to foster high-impact, collaborative projects that enhance the community's quality of life. Grants of $50,000 will support innovative initiatives across various focus areas, including arts, education, and health. Priority is given to projects demonstrating significant community collaboration and visionary goals. This funding opportunity invites organizations to partner and create sustainable changes for the Greater Huntsville area.

The Impact100 Mobile Grant aims to empower women as philanthropists by providing substantial funding to nonprofit organizations in Mobile County. With a minimum grant of $100,000, the program focuses on five key areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family, and Health & Wellness. This initiative encourages nonprofits to submit innovative proposals that enhance community welfare while ensuring that projects primarily benefit Mobile residents.

The National Forest Foundation’s Collaborative Capacity Program offers financial support to enhance collaboration among local communities and partners, focusing on improving wildfire resilience and forest health. Grants range from $10,001 to $75,000, with a 20% cash or in-kind match requirement. The program aims to foster long-term stewardship outcomes for National Forest System lands, ensuring benefits to both forests and local economies through collaborative efforts.

The National Forest Foundation’s Collaborative Capacity Program offers financial awards to enhance collaboration among communities, tribes, and the Forest Service. Aimed at improving wildfire resilience and forest health, these grants support efforts that lead to long-term stewardship outcomes. Funding ranges from $10,001 to $75,000, with a 20% match required. The program seeks to empower local partners to develop strategic plans and strengthen collaborative initiatives, ultimately benefiting National Forest System lands.

The I9 Sports Association provides scholarship grants to support youth sports participation for children under 18 in the U.S. Grants of up to $150 help offset registration fees for various recreational activities. With a focus on inclusivity and access, the association aims to foster athletic development and participation among young athletes. Applications are accepted year-round, with grants awarded in February, May, August, and November, ensuring ongoing support for youth sports engagement.

The Atmore Community Foundation Grant supports nonprofits in the Atmore community, focusing on enhancing quality of life through various sectors including arts, education, and health. The 2024-2025 cycle emphasizes sustainable programs with measurable outcomes and capacity-building initiatives. Grants typically range from $500 to $1,000 for projects serving the 36502 zip code. Eligible organizations must be IRS recognized 501(c)(3)s or similar entities. Collaboration and innovative approaches are highly encouraged to address community needs.

The North Baldwin Community Foundation Grant provides funding to enhance the quality of life in Bay Minette and surrounding areas. Open for the 2024-2025 cycle, it targets local nonprofits addressing critical community needs through arts, education, and health initiatives. Grants up to $5,000 are available for projects that demonstrate community impact and sustainable practices. Collaboration among organizations is encouraged to maximize effectiveness and reach underserved populations.

The Michael Scott Kramer Memorial Scholarship, offered by the San Juan Island Community Foundation, is designed for post-secondary students pursuing education in fields like recreation, adventure tourism, and marine trades. This scholarship honors Mike Kramer, a beloved outdoorsman, by encouraging students to embrace life and adventure. Candidates should demonstrate community service, a strong work ethic, and a passion for their studies. It aims to inspire the next generation to live authentically and pursue their dreams.

The Impact100 Global Veterans Awards empower women to make a significant difference by awarding grants up to $100,000 to nonprofits that serve veterans. Focus areas include art and culture, education, health and wellness, environment, and family initiatives, promoting the well-being and support of veterans across the United States. Eligible organizations must meet specific criteria, including tax-exempt status, and are encouraged to submit proposals that utilize funds effectively within two years.

Impact 100 Baldwin County empowers women to transform lives through high-impact grants. Focused on Arts, Education, Environment, Family, and Health, the organization pools $1,000 donations from members to fund nonprofit initiatives that serve Baldwin County. Each year, they aim to reach 500 members, enabling a $100,000 grant for impactful community projects. Nonprofits, regardless of location, can apply if their projects benefit Baldwin County residents.

The Kroger Foundation is dedicated to uplifting communities through significant charitable contributions, having donated over $1.9 billion in the past six years. Their focus on combating hunger through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative exemplifies their commitment to social impact. Annually, they provide over $300 million to nonprofit organizations aligned with their mission, promoting health, education, and disaster relief while fostering diversity and inclusion. This initiative reflects Kroger's belief that strong communities are a shared responsibility.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Singing for Change Grant Program

Singing for Change empowers people to become more self-sufficient.

Singing for Change supports nonprofit organizations that inspire, empower, and equip people to become more self-sufficient.

Our grantees encourage personal growth among people who are marginalized. They care about the community as a whole, as well as promote the belief that collectively, people can bring about positive change and sustainable self-sufficiency through connected, diverse communities.

Most likely to be considered are organizations that keep their overhead low and collaborate with other groups in their community to find innovative ways of solving a common problem.

Singing for Change (aka SFC Charitable Foundation, Inc.) was created by Jimmy Buffett in 1995, and receives one dollar from each ticket Jimmy sells at his shows. We envision a world where nonprofit organizations, large and small, provide compelling opportunities for individuals to discover their power to make a difference. The foundation promotes work on the forefront of social change - helping people and communities become smarter, safer, stronger, healthier, and whole. 

Singing for Change (SFC) partners with progressive, community-based organizations addressing the root causes of social or environmental problems. We recently narrowed our focus to projects designed to promote self-sufficiency. 

Specifically, we look for groups that are: 

• Working to engage individuals in their communities 
• Helping people realize their full potential
• Creating lasting change in the communities they serve

We will fund operating expenses for those organizations that we feel are accomplishing these goals.

Areas Of Interest:

Children and families: Grants are awarded to programs fostering self-sufficiency and stability. Individual therapy is not funded, nor are therapeutic or recreational camps or wish-fulfillment programs.

Disenfranchised groups: SFC defines these groups as people who have been marginalized in society because of their low levels of skill, education or income, people with disabilities, and people who are homeless. 

Grants range in size from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Youth Sports Grant offers up to $5,000 in travel funding for nonprofessional youth sports teams to participate in sporting events in North Carolina and beyond. This grant is available on a rolling basis and is limited to one application per county each year. Eligible applicants include local government units and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The aim is to support youth engagement in sports and facilitate travel costs such as transportation and lodging.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation's Creating Opportunity & Independence Grant supports programs and research that enhance the quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It welcomes applications from nonprofit organizations and rehabilitation facilities in the U.S. and Canada, focusing on projects that foster independence, community participation, and capacity-building. Priority is given to initiatives that demonstrate broad impact and involve individuals with SCI, ensuring their needs and perspectives shape the proposed activities.