Best Sustainability Grants in Alabama

Local governments, conservation districts, and tribal sponsors in Alabama can obtain funding to address watershed damage and reduce threats to life and property through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Alabama provides technical and financial assistance for debris removal, streambank stabilization, drainage repair, vegetative cover, levee repair, and floodplain easements after natural disasters.

State and local agencies, nonprofits, tribes, and higher education institutions in eligible Appalachian Alabama counties can seek funding for critical infrastructure and workforce or business development projects. With a mission to strengthen regional economies, Appalachian Regional Commission provides Alabama sustainability efforts with support for water and wastewater systems, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, and worker training initiatives.

Public, private, and nonprofit materials recovery facilities in Alabama can access funding for community recycling infrastructure and programs, including curbside, drop-off, contamination reduction, and multifamily recycling. The Recycling Partnership provides these grants as part of its nationwide effort to build robust, accessible recycling systems and more sustainable communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charities, academic institutions, and government entities working to expand access to abortion and contraception in Alabama and the Appalachian region can apply for support. Focused on reproductive health and justice, the Educational Foundation of America funds litigation, direct support, abortion funds, communications, and state-level advocacy that may benefit sustainability-focused organizations.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Alabama working on environmental sustainability, community services, or public safety may be eligible for support to run local recycling, education, or neighborhood well-being initiatives. Grants from SA Recycling help Alabama groups, including fire departments and law enforcement partners, with community-based programs that promote recycling, safety, and quality of life near SA Recycling facilities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, state or municipal agencies, and public schools in Alabama’s Madison County can seek funding for STEM education, workforce readiness, and community programs. With a mission to expand opportunity and inclusion, Toyota supports long-term, sustainable initiatives, including those serving under-resourced communities and environmental or sustainability-related efforts.

Alabama sustainability-focused nonprofits addressing food insecurity, workforce development, youth programs, or AmeriCorps-supported initiatives can access funding through the Greater New Orleans Foundation via the Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must serve underserved or low- to moderate-income communities within Hancock Whitney’s Alabama service areas, with awards up to US $25,000 supporting capacity building and organizational sustainability.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools with environmental programs in Alabama can seek US $25,000 - US $100,000 for sustainability initiatives such as decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use. American Honda supports projects that reduce environmental impact through education, awareness, and infrastructure in communities where its associates live and work.

Nonprofit and public organizations providing direct social services in Madison County, Alabama can receive US $10,000 to strengthen case management, collaboration, and outcome tracking. The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s Pathway to Sustainability Fund supports programs from crisis intervention and basic needs through housing, workforce development, and financial stability, which may benefit sustainability-focused efforts in Alabama communities.

Education and workforce organizations expanding career-connected learning for youth and young adults in Central Alabama can access up to US $250,000 to scale high-quality models through the Catalyze Birmingham Challenge. Catalyze supports partnerships between local and national groups that collaborate with employers to provide real-world projects, credentials, and pathways to in-demand careers.

Focused on education, Donaldson Foundation invites Alabama nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status to apply for program-focused grants supporting educational opportunities, typically between US $5,000 - US $20,000. Alabama groups working on environmental conservation or sustainability through education, especially in Lee County, may be eligible if they address local community education needs.

Alabama 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on environmental stewardship, education, or community services can seek support for programs, capital projects, or general operations. EBSCO Industries’ Community Impact Grant prioritizes work in select Alabama counties that protects natural resources, improves air and water quality, preserves green spaces, and advances educational initiatives connected to these goals.

Nonprofit organizations in Alabama serving families and children through community health, education, basic needs, recreation, or arts programs can seek funding that advances access, enrichment, and achievement. The Joseph S Bruno Charitable Foundation supports efforts in the Greater Birmingham area, and sustainability-focused initiatives that improve health, learning environments, or community spaces may be eligible.

Alabama State Council on the Arts: Operating Support Grants

Operating Support grants are awarded to organizations that demonstrate a consistent track record of high artistic achievement, public service, and managerial competency. Eligible organizations are expected to also have a well-developed and sustainable educational outreach program. Grant funds are discretionary and may be used in the day- to- day institutional activities of the organization in order to encourage originality and maintain a high level of artistic excellence in production.

Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs works every day to positively impact Alabama communities through partnerships, grant programs, and services to spur community and economic development and enhance quality of life.

ADECA is a state agency that partners with leaders at the local level to positively impact and enhance the quality of life in Alabama communities through dozens of federal and state grant programs, surplus property, and water resource management.

ADECA’s grant programs support and fund local initiatives that communities often would not be able to afford on their own and improve many facets of life through community and economic development. Our programs help address critical infrastructure needs like water, sewer, and broadband; provide law enforcement equipment and support for victims of crime; build new trails and recreational features; and assist with energy efficiency that lowers energy costs.

Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program assists states, local, and tribal governments in the development and implementation of substance abuse treatment programs in state, local, and tribal correctional and detention facilities.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Law Enforcement and Traffic Safety Division (LETS) is the agency designated to administer the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program as authorized by statute 34 U.S.C. § 104222.

The purpose of the RSAT Program is to increase access to treatment for individuals with substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders during detention or incarceration and to improve the continuity of care during and after reentry by delivering community-based treatment and other after-care services.

Project Focus Areas

The LETS Division is accepting applications for existing or new projects for the following priority areas: 1) Jail-based pretrial substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs; 2) Jail-based residential SUD treatment programs.

We are seeking established programs currently providing these services that have a proven track record; existing evidence-based programs that could expand to include these services; or new programs implemented by organizations that have the proper training and resources to effectively sustain such a program beyond limited-term grant funding.

Jail-based Pretrial Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program

The LETS Division is accepting applications for existing or new projects that initiate or continue evidence-based SUD treatment programs, including medication-assisted treatment, in pretrial populations during their confinement and/or foster connections to SUD treatment in the community upon pretrial release. Programs supporting pre-trial populations do not need to meet criteria for jail-based residential SUD treatment programs.

Local and tribal governments in Alabama operating or planning jail-based residential substance use disorder treatment programs can apply for Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs funding; awards up to US $70,694 for program delivery and aftercare. Sustainability-focused agencies improving community health and justice outcomes may be eligible under this opportunity.

Eligible 501(c)(3)s, government, educational, and religious organizations in Alabama’s Atmore 36502 area can apply for Community Foundation of South Alabama’s Atmore Community Foundation Grant, awarding up to US $3,000 for programmatic or capacity-building work. Funding may support environmental conservation, beautification, or other efforts improving local quality of life.

Organizations working on coastal conservation and sustainability in Alabama’s Mobile and Baldwin counties can apply for grants of US $20,000 - US $50,000 to protect and manage natural, cultural, and historical coastal resources. Grants from Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources help fund projects that enhance resilience, preparedness, and long-term ecological and economic productivity.

Nonprofits, government entities, schools, and religious organizations in Alabama serving the North Baldwin community can receive up to US $5,000 for projects and capacity-building that enhance local quality of life. Grants from Community Foundation of South Alabama support work in areas like environment, beautification, community development, and related services that may benefit sustainability-focused programs.

Nonprofits, government entities, schools, and religious organizations in Alabama’s Tri-City communities can seek grants up to US $25,100 to strengthen programs and capacity in arts, mental health, education, workforce, leadership, and economic opportunity. Community Foundation of South Alabama funding may benefit sustainability-focused projects that enhance local quality of life and community resiliency.

Organizations providing workforce training and education programs in eligible Alabama Black Belt counties can apply for grants of US $50,000 - US $300,000 to build local talent pipelines and boost regional economic competitiveness. Grants from Delta Regional Authority help expand recruitment, training, and retention efforts that support long-term community and economic development in the Delta region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, religious institutions, and government agencies in Greater Huntsville can seek Compass Society grants up to US $50,000 for collaborative, visionary quality-of-life projects. Grants from Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville help Alabama environmental conservation and other community-focused groups fund new or expanded programs and related staffing across multiple impact areas.

Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program - Cancer Digital Regionalization Initiative

Funding is intended to support the implementation of Cancer Digital Regionalization Initiative projects that advance the stated program goals. Depending on the proposed project, funding may support expansion of cancer detection capabilities, establishment and operation of regional screening hubs, deployment of mobile screening units, and community outreach and education to increase awareness and participation in cancer screening. These efforts are intended to strengthen local healthcare delivery systems and improve  the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of cancer screening for rural populations.

All funding under this opportunity is expected to be distributed through a competitive subaward process. Selected applicants will be treated as subrecipients and will be required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and programmatic requirements associated with the award. 

ADECA anticipates making approximately $8,100,000 available under this NOFO, consistent with the CMS-approved Cancer Digital Regionalization Initiative budget. ADECA intends to make awards under the strategy categories described in Section I. The number, size, and distribution of awards within each strategy category will depend on application quality, applicant readiness, geographic distribution, and other factors identified in this NOFO. 

Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program: Maternal and Fetal Health Initiative

Program Overview

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program was authorized by Public Law 119-21 on July 4, 2025. The RHT Program is a $50 billion federal initiative planned to establish funding to strengthen rural hospitals and modernize the healthcare ecosystem for all 50 states. The RHT Program is designed to transform the rural healthcare ecosystem along five strategic axes: supporting rural health innovations, improving provider sustainability, developing the local healthcare workforce, expanding care delivery models, and testing technology-based solutions.

The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) is Alabama’s broader statewide framework for advancing the goals of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program through coordinated, statedesigned strategies, initiatives, and investments intended to improve rural healthcare access, strengthen quality and delivery systems, support innovation, and promote long-term sustainability and accountability in rural communities. ARHTP is focused on transformational, practical approaches that strengthen provider networks, improve access to appropriate services closer to home, and support more resilient models of rural healthcare delivery across Alabama.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), on behalf of the ARHTP, invites eligible applicants to apply for funding under the Maternal and Fetal Health Initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes in rural Alabama by addressing gaps in access to care and strengthening the capacity of healthcare systems to provide maternal and fetal health services. This includes connecting rural healthcare facilities to regional maternal and fetal referral hubs and expanding access to specialized imaging services and telerobotic ultrasound devices necessary to ensure healthcare facilities have the capacity, connectivity, and resources required to provide appropriate maternal and fetal care services. This NOFO establishes the application requirements, review framework, and award parameters for competitive funding designed to accomplish the purpose of the initiative as set forth above.

The Maternal and Fetal Health Initiative is intended to support practical, scalable strategies that strengthen maternal healthcare delivery systems across rural Alabama. Consistent with the State’s ARHTP framework, this initiative supports projects involving the establishment and enhancement of regional maternal and fetal referral hubs, the acquisition and deployment of telerobotic ultrasound equipment, and equipment upgrades and minor building renovations or alterations necessary to provide appropriate services under the defined strategy categories described below.

Projects funded under this NOFO must serve rural Alabama, align with at least one of the defined Maternal and Fetal Health Initiative strategy categories listed below, and clearly demonstrate how the proposed project advances one or more of the initiative goals identified in this section. Applicants do not need to be physically located in a rural area to apply; however, each proposal must clearly demonstrate that the project is specifically designed to provide a direct benefit to rural Alabama communities, expectant mothers, infants, healthcare providers, or facilities participating in regional referral networks.

The Foothills Community Partnership Fund aims to create sustainable solutions for human care issues in Calhoun County, Alabama. Focused on education, community development, and wellness, the fund supports 501(c)(3) public charities. Grant awards under $3,000 are fully disbursed upon agreement, while larger grants are split into two payments, contingent on reporting. Eligible organizations must meet specific criteria including a minimum operating history and financial documentation, promoting accountability and effective use of funds.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible government agencies in Northeast Alabama can request support for charitable projects or initiatives through the Longleaf Fund, an unrestricted fund of the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama. Focused on community needs, it can back environmental conservation and sustainability efforts within its nine-county service region in Alabama.

Nonprofit organizations in Alabama working in arts and culture, education and leadership, environmental sustainability, financial literacy, or health and human services can apply for First Horizon Foundation’s grants. Eligible groups must serve the Birmingham, Huntsville, or Mobile areas, and sustainability-focused programs within these counties may be especially relevant.