Search Through Grants for Education Nonprofits in Alabama in the U.S.

Who & What We Fund

AHA awards Alabama Public Humanities Grants to Alabama-based nonprofit organizations, accredited public and 501(c)(3) institutions of higher education, state and local government agencies, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. AHA regularly awards grants to organizations that have a primary mission that falls outside of the humanities, including organizations focused more on the arts and social services, as long as the funding supports a public humanities project.

AHA awards grants to support public humanities projects for a variety of topics and formats, and encourages applicants to develop imaginative proposals for their audiences.

The three essential components of successful grant proposals are active public participation, strong humanities content and the direct involvement of humanities scholars.

Our Mission

The Alabama Humanities Alliance exists to provide context, build empathy, and make our state a more vibrant place to live. All through the humanities.

The Humanities

The humanities are a set of disciplines related to human culture and the study of how people process and document the human experience. The humanities emphasize analysis, interpretation, and dialogue to provide cultural context to stories and ideas that allow us to reflect on who we are as individuals and members of a global society. Exploring humanities subjects — such as Alabama’s history, storytelling, cultures, traditions, and more — encourages critical thinking and gives us the opportunity to relate to others. AHA defines the humanities disciplines as follows: 

• Languages
• Literature
• History
• Philosophy and ethics
• Jurisprudence
• Archaeology
• Comparative religion
• Art history, theory, and criticism
• Social sciences employing humanistic methods

Mini-Grant

Designed for flexibility, Mini Grants feature a simplified and quicker application process to support a broad range of projects. Mini Grants do not require cost share matches. Project activities cannot begin until at least 45 days after the application deadline.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a unique federal-state partnership providing social and economic support for a 13-state region stretching along the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi, including western North Carolina.

Established by the United States Congress in 1965, when Appalachia was considered "a region apart" from the rest of the nation, ARC has worked to bring Appalachia's 26 million people into America's economic mainstream.

Area Development Program

ARC’s Area Development program relies on a flexible “bottom up” approach to economic development, empowering Appalachian communities to work with their state governments to design impactful investment opportunities supporting our mission and investment priorities.

Within the scope of our Strategic Plan, ARC’s Area Development program makes investments in two general areas: critical infrastructure and business and workforce development. Critical infrastructure investments mainly include water and wastewater systems, transportation networks, broadband, and other projects anchoring regional economic development. Business and workforce investments primarily focus on entrepreneurship, worker training and education, food systems, leadership, and other human capital development.

A comprehensive strategic planning process involving federal, state, and local officials and citizens resulted in, Appalachia Envisioned: A New Era of Opportunity – ARC Strategic Plan 2022-2026, which focuses investments under these five general goals:

• Building Appalachian Businesses:
  • Strengthen and diversify the region’s economy through inclusive economic development strategies and investments in entrepreneurship and business development
• Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem
  • Expand and strengthen community systems (education, healthcare, housing, childcare, and others) that help Appalachians obtain a job, stay on the job, and advance along a financially sustaining career pathway.
• Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure
  • Ensure that the residents and businesses of Appalachia have access to reliable, affordable, resilient, and energy efficient utilities and infrastructure in order to successfully live and work in the region.
• Building Regional Culture and Tourism:
  • Strengthen Appalachia’s community and economic development potential by preserving and investing in the region’s local, cultural heritage, and natural assets.
• Building Community Leaders and Capacity:
  • Invest in the capacity of local leaders, organizations, and communities to address local challenges by providing technical assistance and support to access resources, engage partners, identify strategies and tactics, and conduct effective planning and project execution.

Shelby County Community Health Foundation Grant

The Shelby County Community Health Foundation is committed to the development and support of programs that improve the health and well-being of people and communities in Shelby County Alabama. Our mission is also to encourage increased efficiency and quality of health services in the community.

Funding Priorities

The Shelby County Community Health Foundations funding priorities are as follows:

• Projects and programs that emphasize preventative health care and creative ways of solving long-standing health and wellness concerns;
• Health related education services and programs for children and youth;
• Substance abuse prevention – drugs and alcohol;
• Support for the existing Shelby County health care programs administered by the Shelby County Health Department , Chilton-Shelby Mental Health Board, Emergency Medical Service Units, inmate care and patient services at Shelby Baptist Medical Center, including individuals referred by the court system; and
• Organizations are encouraged to propose collaborations and partnerships with others and to demonstrate the coordination of services and cooperation of agencies.

The NRA Foundation provides financial support to eligible projects, programs and organizations through its Grant Program. Each year, volunteer committees from across the country tirelessly raise charitable dollars and generous donors make gifts that are in turn awarded as grants in support of educational and public service programs relating to the shooting sports in our communities.

The general focus of Foundation grants is to:

• Promote, advance and encourage firearms, shooting sports and hunting safety.
• Educate individuals with respect to firearms, firearms history, participation in the shooting sports, hunting safety, and marksmanship.
• Conduct research in furtherance of improved firearms safety and marksmanship facilities and techniques.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.

• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

The Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services (GOVS) awards and administers federal grants from the AmeriCorps federal agency. AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from the National Service Trust that members can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans. 

Nonprofit organizations, community and faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, state and local government agencies, Indian Tribes, and partnerships among these groups in Alabama are eligible to apply for funds to operate local AmeriCorps programs that meet locally identified needs in the areas of disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans and military families and rural communities.

Our Mission

The mission of The J. L. Bedsole Foundation is to ensure the continuing health, welfare and prosperity of the citizens of Southwest Alabama by providing greater post secondary educational opportunities for our worthy youth and by supporting expanded civic, cultural, artistic and economic development opportunities for all citizens of our area.

J.L. Bedsole Foundation Grant

The Foundation considers requests that most closely match its overall mission: to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Southwest Alabama and to strengthen the communities in which they live.

Background

Since 2009, the Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation has been providing grants to nonprofit organizations in our community, the Black Belt, and the state as a whole to support a variety of programs. From education to the environment, from the cultural arts to neighborhood revitalization, the Foundation has distributed over $26,000,000 in grants to 221 organizations whose work we are proud to support.

The Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation seeks to strengthen communities and improve the quality of life primarily in the Birmingham metropolitan area and the State of Alabama.

Our Service Area

The Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation focuses its grantmaking in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Special consideration is given to support programs that serve the Woodlawn community in Birmingham.

The Foundation will also support efforts that build opportunities in the Black Belt of Alabama, particularly Hale and Greene Counties. Grants that impact the State of Alabama as a whole or that impact policy issues affecting all Alabamians will also be considered.

Grants from the Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation are made to support programs that impact:

• The Birmingham metro area;
• The Woodlawn area of Birmingham;
• The Black Belt area in Alabama;
• The State of Alabama as a whole, through influencing policy change at the state level.

Our Program Areas

The Foundation is interested in developing partnerships with nonprofit organizations to achieve measurable results in the following areas:

• Education
• We believe that every child should have the educational resources to become a successful adult. Based on our belief that education is still the best road out of poverty, the Mike & Gillian Goodrich Foundation supports a strong education pipeline. Grants are made to support efforts in early childhood to help children be ready to learn when they enter the school system. Other grants support teachers, students and families to help more children achieve and succeed. These include grants to improve academic outcomes through teacher and principal coaching as well as support for meeting non-academic needs, like physical and mental health needs.
• Neighborhood Revitalization
• We believe in the Purpose Built Communities’ holistic model for rebuilding strong neighborhoods. A strong cradle – to – adult educational pipeline, affordable mixed-income housing, wrap-around social services and local economic revitalization are necessary components for creating livable communities and helping to break the cycle of poverty.
• The Environment
• We believe that the protection of our natural resources and green spaces are vital to the environment and to the health of our communities.
• The Arts and Culture
• We believe that the cultural arts enrich lives and are an integral part of a dynamic and vibrant community.
• Positioning Strategic Community Assets
• We believe that the success of our community depends on the strength of its intrinsic partners – those institutions that represent the best of Birmingham. We are committed to their success.

Grant applications must be geared toward achieving specific results in these focus areas.

Program, Operating and Capital Campaign Grants

We fund capital campaigns and provide grants for operating and programmatic support to organizations engaged in activities that align with the Foundation’s funding interests listed above.

• Program grants are grants of up to $30,000 to support a specific program.
• Operating grants of any amount may be applied for in up to three year increments with an annual review.
• Our goal is to help our grantees focus more on their missions and less on application cycles.
• Capital Campaign grants of any amount will be considered in the first and third quarters of each year (deadline February 1 and August 1).

Guidelines

Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by supporting on-going preservation work and by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for preservation projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. A small grant at the right time can go a long way and is often the catalyst that inspires a community to take action on a preservation project. Grants generally start at $2,500 and range up to $5,000.

Eligible Activities

National Trust Preservation Fund grants are awarded for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to on-going efforts.

Planning: Supporting existing staff (nonprofit applicants only) or obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, and law. Eligible planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Hiring a preservation architect or landscape architect, or funding existing staff with expertise in these areas, to produce a historic structure report or historic landscape master plan.
• Hiring a preservation planner, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce design guidelines for a historic district.
• Hiring a real estate development consultant, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce an economic feasibility study for the reuse of a threatened structure.
• Sponsoring a community forum to develop a shared vision for the future of a historic neighborhood.
• Organizational capacity building activities such as hiring fundraising consultants, conducting board training, etc.

Education and Outreach: Support for preservation education activities aimed at the public. The National Trust is particularly interested in programs aimed at reaching new audiences. Funding will be provided to projects that employ innovative techniques and formats aimed at introducing new audiences to the preservation movement, whether that be through education programming or conference sessions.

Snook Foundation Grant

Our mission is to provide funding for scholarships, promote health care, contribute to civic organizations for the general public, enhance school facilities and provide increased educational opportunities.

Over the last two decades, the foundation has provided funding for scholarships, promoted health care, contributed to civic organizations, enhanced school facilities and educational programs, and increased educational opportunities. We have expanded our goals and provided assistance in times of natural disasters, helped open the doors to numerous fitness, health, and medical centers, and provided a large umbrella of educational assistance with funding for libraries, historical organizations and local afterschool programs.

On the humanitarian side, the foundation has moved to help local nonprofit organizations that specialize in aide and assistance to our local residents. We have provided funding for local food banks, first responders, programs for veterans, and numerous other worthy agencies and organizations.

Our goal at The Snook Foundation is to continue to grow, support and provide to the numerous organizations that strive to open doors and lend assistance to the residents of Baldwin County. We will continue to evolve, much like our area, and our trustees will examine each grant request on a case-by-case basis. Our hope is to open new avenues and pave the way for current and future generations to succeed on all levels.

About

Guided by the mission to elevate the state and to improve the quality of life for Alabamians, we are committed to empowering communities and bridging the gaps of inequity to create a better Alabama for all.

Since our formation in 1989, we’ve been spreading good across Alabama. From the white sand beaches in the south to the first mountains of the Appalachians in the north, you’ll find evidence of our work in communities both large and small.

While our most valuable resource is our people, our funding plays a tremendous role in what we accomplish. Thanks to the generosity of Alabama Power shareholders so many years ago, we manage a $130 million trust, which we use to spread the power of good.

Classroom Grants

Helping teachers provide a better learning environment.

Teachers often have to pay for class materials out-of-pocket. Our Classroom grants seek to solve that problem by awarding grants up to $1,000 for materials to better the classroom environment, and in turn, enhance a student’s ability to learn. Funding may also be used to support COVID-19 relief efforts such as technology support, cleaning and sanitation supplies, as well as mental health needs for students and educators.

Nonprofits who provide those services and are partnering with local school systems who meet the grant criteria may also apply for grants.

All applications will be reviewed by Alabama Power Foundation for adherence to the Classroom Grant guidelines. If time permits prior to the deadline, schools will be notified if their grant applications must be modified. Applications submitted on the last day will not be able to be modified if there are problems.

How we’d like to see Classroom grants used:

Examples of uses for Classroom grants include:

• Supplies for the betterment of the classroom.
  • For example:
    • Classroom library
    • Basic school supplies like crayons, pencils, paper, scissors, etc.
    • Classroom décor like bins, bean bags, rugs, etc.
    • Other educational materials
• School Library materials.
  • For example:
    • Headphones
    • Multimedia equipment
    • Books and/or book jacket covers
    • Other educational materials
• COVID-19 related support.
  • For example:
    • Funding mental health support to address the social and emotional needs of educators, students, and students’ families.
    • Adapting curriculum to support distance/virtual learning and instruction.
    • Supporting virtual learning equipment and support. Ex.: laptops, Wi-Fi access, etc.
    • Addressing students’ learning loss resulting from extended school closures.
    • Providing educational enrichment to support student learning.
    • Strengthening educators’/schools’ engagement with families and communities to meet student needs.
    • Funding for sanitation supplies to keep areas clean and safe for students. Ex.: backpack sanitation sprayers, air purifiers, etc.

What does this program do?

This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.

What is an eligible area?

Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas. 

What kind of funding is available?

There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. There are two types of RBDG projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants.

• Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding.
• Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

How may Enterprise type funds be used?

Enterprise grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application. Uses may include:

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports, or producer service improvements.
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
• Pollution control and abatement.
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
• Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students.
• Rural transportation improvement.
• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

How may Opportunity type funds be used?

• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Alabama is blessed with a wealth and variety of natural resources which provide significant social, economic, and environmental benefits and opportunities for the citizens of Alabama. The mission at ADEM is to assure for all citizens of the State a safe, healthful, and productive environment.

Alabama Recycling Fund Grant

The program is open to local governments and local government nonprofits/authorities seeking to promote local recycling efforts by enhancing established recycling programs or by initiating new recycling programs.

The cities of Albertville and Boaz partnered to establish a joint recycling program and create the Albertville-Boaz Recycling Authority. Meanwhile, Auburn University, the City of Auburn, the City of Opelika, and Lee County partnered to increase regional recycling. Funds have been used to expand drop-off sites and purchase equipment such as recycling containers and balers. In addition, funds have supported public education activities to inform local citizens about the benefits of recycling. 

Examples of what we fund:

• Recycling bins/containers
• Recycling storage/bunkers
• Recycling infrastructure/equipment
• Education & outreach materials

About Us

The Walker Area Community Foundation is a permanent endowment that will forever help support the charitable needs of our community and improve the quality of life for the people of Walker County and the surrounding area. 

The Foundation is organized as a nonprofit corporation [public 501(c)(3)] under the laws of the State of Alabama and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors of civic leaders selected for their demonstrative awareness of the educational, cultural, civic, public and other charitable needs of the Walker County area. 

What does the Walker Area Community Foundation do? 

• Awards creative, visionary and sensitive grants that address the evolving needs of our nonprofit organizations.
• Leverages and multiplies local giving with outside sources of assistance 
• Demonstrates community leadership by providing seed funding for the initiation of new, innovative, or missing services and aspects of a healthy, whole, and fulfilling community
• Engages the next generations in philanthropy through Project Connect and Project Community and being a partner of Youth Leadership Walker County
• Connects and convenes local organizations with other resources to help cultivate informative and collaborative relationships 
• Supports donors’ planned giving options, providing benefits to the community and financial and tax benefits to the donor(s)

Areas Of Focus

• Collaborative Planning for Economic Growth –
  • Support economic development and other community leaders in pursuing projects, initiatives, grants, and funding as a collective, unified entity
  • Instill a greater sense of pride and shared ownership across all communities to promote a positive image of the area and understanding that economic development in one community benefits all
• Lifelong Learning and Success –
  • Expand access to high-quality early childhood education from birth to age five
  • Support family engagement and student success in the K12 system by bridging community resources with the system’s greatest needs
  • Increase awareness of career and technical education opportunities by expanding training and mentoring for youth and young adults
  • Support community members to access and achieve success in education and workforce training in high school and throughout adulthood for lifelong learning
• Health, Well-being and Quality of Life –
  • Promote community health education and knowledge of resources and services throughout the community
  • Expand resources, capacity, and access to substance use treatment and recovery
  • Increase counseling and mental health resources for all, with a particular focus on youth
  • Develop and sustain more community amenities, recreational opportunities, and after-school activities desired by youth and families
• Next Generation Leadership –
  • Increase community engagement, service, and champions through expanded leadership development opportunities
  • Increase mentorship opportunities and activities to engage youth in communities throughout the county

Program Areas

We believe an auto company can also be a vehicle for change. That’s why Toyota is proud to partner with nonprofit organizations in the dozens of communities where we operate. Investing in and creating better opportunities for our communities and its citizens improves their quality of life, builds lasting relationships and helps enrich society. 

Let’s make an impact – together. We work collaboratively to address some of society’s most pressing challenges – and fund programs tied to our strategic priorities.

About Our Program

Toyota seeks to expand access to opportunities that improve people’s lives and create a culture of inclusion—strengthening the communities where we live, work and play. To have meaningful, sustainable impact, we take a holistic approach to investing in our communities. Our efforts go beyond monetary support, amplifying our impact by engaging our team members as volunteers and sharing our Toyota know-how.

What We Fund

Nationally, Toyota focuses on:

• STEM Education
• Workforce Readiness

Regionally, Toyota makes contributions to help support the specific needs of local communities. Please note that Toyota entities based in Plano, Texas (Toyota Motor North America, Toyota Financial Services and Toyota USA Foundation) as well as Production Engineering and Manufacturing Center (PEMC) have moved to an invite-only grant application process.

2024–2025 Competitive Grantmaking Guidelines

Established in August 2018, the Tri-City Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of South Alabama (“CFSA”), serves as a comprehensive center of philanthropy to inspire and promote resiliency and enhance the quality of life for its residents in the cities of Foley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach as well as the communities within their respective service areas. The Tri-City Community Foundation Advisory Committee is pleased to announce its first competitive grant-making cycle which will award grants to local nonprofits whose mission supports initiatives that support the Grantmaking Priorities listed below. These grants are funded through the Tri-City Community Fund, a field of interest fund established by donors to address the most pressing needs in the Tri-City community.

Grantmaking Priorities

For 2024-2025, the Tri-City Community Foundation will accept proposals from organizations that strive to preserve and/or enhance the quality of life of residents in the Tri-City communities. Programs or projects could address one or more of the following: Arts, Mental Health and Wellness, Education and Workforce Development, Leadership Development and/or Economic Opportunity.

Funding Considerations:

The Tri-City Community Foundation seeks to fund proposals that:

• Focus on work aligned with the Tri-City Community Foundation’s mission
• Exhibit the potential to accomplish meaningful results or impact in one or more of priority areas
• Address community challenges, underserved populations, and/or service gaps
• Articulate measurable outcomes (desired results), effective approaches, and viable plans for maintaining ongoing efforts
• Demonstrate strong community support, capable leadership, knowledge of and involvement in the communities served
• Include a realistic project budget and organizational financial information that demonstrates fiscal health
  • (e.g., diversified revenue sources, sustainability, solvent, etc.)

2024-2025 Competitive Grantmaking Guidelines

Established in September 2020 the North Baldwin Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of South Alabama (“CFSA”), serves as a comprehensive center of philanthropy to enhance the quality of life for its residents. The North Baldwin Community Foundation Advisory Committee is pleased to announce the opening of its 2024-2025 competitive grantmaking cycle which will award grants to local nonprofits. These grants are funded through the North Baldwin Community Fund, a field of interest fund established by donors to address the most pressing needs in Bay Minette and surrounding areas.

Grantmaking Priorities

For 2024-2025, the North Baldwin Community Foundation will accept proposals from organizations that strive to preserve and/or enhance the quality of life of residents in the community of Bay Minette and/or surrounding areas. Programs or projects could address one or more of the following: Arts, Community Development, Education, Environment/Beautification, Health, Human Services, Recreation, Technology, or Youth.

Funding Considerations:

The North Baldwin Community Foundation seeks to fund proposals that:

• Focus on work aligned with the North Baldwin Community Foundation’s mission
• Exhibit the potential to accomplish meaningful results or impact in one or more priority area
• Address community challenges, underserved populations, and/or service gaps
• Articulate measurable outcomes (desired results), effective approaches, and viable plans for maintaining ongoing efforts
• Demonstrate strong community support, capable leadership and knowledge of, and involvement in, the communities served
• Include a realistic project budget and organizational financial information demonstrates fiscal health
  • (e.g. diversified revenue sources, sustainability, solvent, etc.)

Compass Society Grant Description

Created to “Map the Future” the Compass Society brings the region’s spirit of innovation to generosity and serves as a catalyst for Greater Huntsville’s future. Compass Society funding supports high-impact, collaborative, and visionary projects that span the Community Foundation’s Quality of Life Framework. Grants of $50,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations serving the Greater Huntsville area – Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan Counties. Exact allocations will be determined based on funding and projects.

Through the power of generosity, the Compass Society implements collaborative, visionary projects that have a significant and sustainable impact across many areas of our 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 our community to work together to achieve something greater than any one organization could achieve alone, no matter how great the work they are doing. What are your bold dreams for our community's future?

Focus Area: 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 our 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

Grantmaking

Compass Society grant objectives include grant applications that are high-impact, collaborative, visionary, and span the Community Foundation’s Quality of Life Framework.

Funding Priority: Priority will be given to projects that meet the following criteria:

• High-impact: Affect a large number of people through scalable, ripple-effect transformation
• 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
• Visionary: Create innovative, future-focused projects or programs

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.

Women’s Foundation of Alabama

Mission

Women’s Foundation of Alabama is a community-driven foundation impacting the world around us by accelerating economic opportunity for women.

Vision

We envision a society where power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, or place.

Values

Insight, Advocacy, Impact, Equity, and Inclusion

Competitive Grantmaking

Each year, Women’s Foundation of Alabama accepts proposals from local, community-based organizations across the state, representing greater potential for even broader impact towards gender and economic equity for women in the state. Through this process, Women’s Foundation of Alabama aims to support high-impact organizations and projects working to usher women and girls along the path of greater economic opportunity and to remove the complex, interconnected barriers women face along that same path.

Focus Areas

Our three grant focus areas are Women + Work, Women + Leadership, and Women + Wellbeing – reflecting the foundation’s interest in holistic, innovative approaches to women’s economic opportunity. We fuel organizations that address the barriers to entering the workforce.

• Women + Work
  • The future of Alabama’s workforce depends upon inclusion and equity for women. In 2022, over 80,000 women were missing from the state’s workforce, placing Alabama dead last in labor force participation for women in the South. This doesn’t have to be Alabama’s fate.
  • Through this focus area, the foundation plans to fund nonprofit organizations providing education, skills training, credentials, critical supports, and public policy initiatives that enable women to access quality jobs and advance along their career path.
• Women + Leadership
  • Where women lead, change follows. Whether on the job, in the community, at the highest levels of power, or in the home, decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, and improve fairness for everyone.
  • Through this focus area, we aim to support programs and public policy efforts that invest in the personal and professional leadership development of women and the implementation of women led solutions.
• Women + Wellbeing
  • Success at work and personal well-being do not have to be mutually exclusive. At Women’s Foundation of Alabama, we believe good jobs and living wages are only the beginning.
  • For this focus area, we are focused on funding programs and public policy solutions that enable women to thrive, within and beyond their career, along the eight dimensions of wellness with a focus on the following three: financial, physical, and mental wellness.

Funding

Applicants may request funding up to $50,000. The total cost and scale of the project should be reasonable, feasible, and sustainable in relation to the applicant’s overall budget and activities.

Depending on the scale and schedule of the proposal, funds may be requested over a one—or two-year period.

Detailed Program Description

Grants of up to $2,500 for organizations to make arts programs accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Southeast is home to some of the world’s more diverse and vibrant artistic communities. At South Arts, we believe that the arts are for everyone. The arts enrich the lives of people of all abilities and backgrounds. In our commitment to amplifying the success of the Southeast’s arts ecology, South Arts offers micro-funding to supplement the efforts of arts organizations throughout our service area.

Art making is for everyone too! South Arts encourages arts organizations to hire artistic personnel of all abilities at all levels; for these grants in particular, we encourage arts organizations to work directly with artists who identify as disabled. 

Through our partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, South Arts offers small grants that compliment existing efforts by arts organizations to include audiences and artists with disabilities. Accessibility micro-grants are available to support Nonprofit, 501c3, arts organizations located within the South Arts Service region states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This funding program is open to a wide variety of organizations, including community cultural organizations, museums, performing arts presenters, theatre companies, visual arts and music organizations. Priority funding will be given to new applicants to South Arts.

South Arts has prioritized the following:

• South Arts prioritizes applications from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying organizations.
• South Arts prioritizes applications from organizations led by persons with disabilities or organizations that provide significant programming to artists or audiences with disabilities.
• South Arts is committed to funding artists organizations in rural communities (with populations under 50,000).
• Primary consideration will be given to new applicants.

Usage of Funds

Grants awards may reimburse the applicant for any combination of qualifying expenses incurred during the grant period. Projects may include but are not limited to the following:

Programs

• Usage of large print or braille program materials for patrons/audiences with low vision
• Artist/consultant fees to provide accessibility training or audits
• Transportation of constituents or performers with disabilities
• Preparation for special exhibitions (i.e. space modifications or accessibility audit)
• Audio description
• Sign language interpretation
• Website accessibility
• Docent training for visual or audio enhancement
• Consultant fee to develop an overall accessibility plan for your organization
• Inclusive programming
• Staff training to learn about accessibility as it relates to programming, operations, or facilities modifications (i.e. travel to a workshop and/or training)
• Other accommodations that make programs accessible

Facilities Enhancements

• Accessibility signage for exterior and/or interior space
• Modification of restroom(s) signage
• Modification to drinking fountain(s) signage
• Installation of Braille plaques

Pathway to Sustainability Fund

he Pathway to Sustainability Fund was established to support a cohort of nonprofits intentionally focus their work as it relates to their mission, collaborate to leverage resources, and track outcomes in order to strengthen their organizations and our community.

Fund Description: The Pathway to Sustainability Fund is a collaboration fund to incentivize Madison County direct social service organizations who provide case management to do the following:

• Focus on their mission
• Collaborate to leverage resources
• Track outcomes
• Strengthen organizations and their community

Progress on the Pathway is not linear but progress is possible. Each client’s journey will be unique and organizations will need to work with each client on an individual basis to understand and provide support for their journey. This is not an exhaustive list of client experiences in each phase of the Pathway. It is also not a complete list of possible Focus Areas. Each organization may determine what their clients’ experience looks like and where the organization can intentionally focus its efforts to be most effective.

Crisis

• Likely unemployed & struggle to meet basic needs
• May rely entirely on family, friends, agencies, & other assistance to get by
• May struggle with addiction & mental health issues
• May even engage in illegal activities to survive
• Feel hopeless, helpless, isolated

• Homeless Shelters
• Mental Health Crisis Care
• Hospital Emergency Care
• Law Enforcement
• Domestic Violence Programs
• Basic Needs (food, clothing,shelter, utility assistance)

Transition

• May have obtained part-time employment but still struggle to make ends meet
• Begin to access government and other resources
• Have found a safer living environment
• May enter recovery programs
• Begin accessing legal services

• Transitional Housing Programs
• Health Care Programs
• Child Care Assistance
• Transportation Assistance
• Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Recovery
• Legal services & Court Systems
• Job skills & Employment Programs

Stability

• Earn an hourly wage & regular paycheck & benefits
• Can pay their bills on time & reduce debt
• Have found permanent, safe, affordable housing
• May increase skills and education
• Rely more on their own resources with less outside assistance

• Affordable Housing
• Education & Certification Programs
• Quality Child Care Programs
• Workforce Development
• Financial Counseling
• Health Care & Insurance

Growth

• Permanent employment with good pay, benefits, & opportunities to advance
• May become homeowners
• May even start a business & employ others
• Comfortably meet needs & some wants

• Home-ownership Programs
• Financial Institutions
• Investment Advisers
• Two & Four Year Colleges
• Wellness Centers
• Entrepreneurial Programs
• Personal & Spiritual Growth

Abundance

• Become self-reliant with a sense of having enough & some to spare
• Plan for retirement and build wealth
• Continue to give back by being generous in many ways, including mentoring others
• Worry less & experience peace of mind

Focus Areas

• Philanthropy
• Volunteering & Mentoring Programs
• Civic Engagement & Leadership Development
• Life-Long Learning Opportunities
• Asset Creation & Growth
• Spiritual Development

Why We Created The Pathway To Sustainability

Our vision is to end generational poverty. We believe that is only possible by working with one client at a time and making intentional investments to break down barriers to progress. We know we can’t do it alone. We work with a variety of community partners who share our vision to close service gaps and help our participants move toward self-reliance.

We started the Community Connections project to help create a community wide collaborative care network that now has almost 200 organizations working together on our network. The next step is to create a community model to help each organization on the network find a focus and work in their area of strength. We hope that, as a result, we will all better serve our clients, reduce duplication of services, and leverage community resources.

Using inspiration from change models in other communities, we have created the Pathway model with input from local organizations. We hope the model will start a community conversation about focusing on what we each do best as we work together to help our clients progress toward self-reliance.

Honda’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision is to help people fulfill their life’s potential. We support this vision by investing in the communities where we live and work through meaningful funding opportunities. Honda CSR funding is available through two sources: Honda corporate and the Honda USA Foundation.  

Honda corporate and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding opportunities for programmatic support. 

Programmatic Support

Honda corporate and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding to nonprofit organizations and schools to support high impact programs that align with our Pillar Awards. 

Year-over-year certain Pillar Awards may not always be open for funding, are subject to change, and in some cases, Honda may extend invitation-only opportunities to select community partners.  

The application window for programmatic funding opens each fall with decisions announced the following spring. 

Honda Corporate Funding

Honda’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision is to help people fulfill their life’s potential. We do this by supporting the communities where we live and work through financial contributions and the volunteer efforts of Honda associates.

Honda offers funding opportunities for programmatic support and community event sponsorships.

Programmatic Support

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding to nonprofit organizations and schools to support programs that align with our pillar award categories.

Year-over-year certain pillar award categories may not always be open for funding, are subject to change, and in some cases, Honda may extend invitation-only opportunities to select community partners.

Education Pillar Award:

As Honda strives to cultivate a future-ready workforce, we are seeking to support hands-on programs that provide manufacturing industry-relevant workforce pipeline initiatives focused on design, software/data analytics and artificial intelligence/machine learning/automation.

Our overarching goal is to inspire the next generation, fostering a resilient and innovative workforce that will drive our future success and contribute to economic prosperity within our communities where we live and work.

Only programs that strengthen the manufacturing workforce pipeline by preparing individuals for current operations and future innovations will be considered.

Honda Corporate Funding

Honda’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision is to help people fulfill their life’s potential. We do this by supporting the communities where we live and work through financial contributions and the volunteer efforts of Honda associates.

Honda offers funding opportunities for programmatic support and community event sponsorships.

Programmatic Support

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding to nonprofit organizations and schools to support programs that align with our pillar award categories.

Year-over-year certain pillar award categories may not always be open for funding, are subject to change, and in some cases, Honda may extend invitation-only opportunities to select community partners.

Environment Pillar Award:

Honda is working to reduce our environmental impact, which is central to our sustainability vision. Our approach focuses on three key areas: decarbonizing our products and operations, using clean energy, and using natural resources efficiently. Through education, awareness, and infrastructure programs, we are seeking to support programs within our communities that share our mission to protect the health of our planet.

Honda USA Foundation Funding

The Honda USA Foundation gives back to the communities where our associates live and work through programmatic grant opportunities.

Programmatic Support

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding to nonprofit organizations and schools to support programs that align with our pillar award categories.

Year-over-year certain pillar award categories may not always be open for funding and are subject to change. Full details of the pillar award categories will be made available each fall when the program application opens.

Mobility Pillar Award:

The Honda USA Foundation envisions a world where each person is empowered to dream and fulfill their own life’s potential. We are seeking to fund programs that remove barriers and expand access and opportunities for individuals with disabilities, ensuring that the joy and freedom of mobility can be experienced by all.

Applications for education, awareness, and infrastructure programs may include:

• Therapeutic or adaptive programs
• Comprehensive care programs
• Mobility modifications, accommodations, and assistive technology

Alabama Power

Guided by the mission to elevate the state and to improve the quality of life for Alabamians, we are committed to empowering communities and bridging the gaps of inequity to create a better Alabama for all.

In fact, that’s our mission – to spread good throughout Alabama to the people who need it most. 

• Educational Advancement
• Civic & Community Development
• Arts & Cultural Enrichment
• Health & Human Services
• Environmental Stewardship

Elevate Grants

Lifting up the state one organization at a time

The Elevate grant program empowers nonprofits – helping them expand their impact and address pressing needs. Our goal is to strengthen these organizations, helping provide tools and resources so they can help elevate the people and communities of Alabama.

To support Alabama’s workforce development goals, the Alabama Power Foundation has allocated grant funding for programs focused on workforce development and wraparound services that remove barriers to success in workforce development.