Igniting passion for transformational change
Change happens when bold leadership meets opportunity. Our Community Foundation is dedicated to addressing our communities’ most challenging issues and providing hope for the future. By bringing together the dedication of community members and the generosity of philanthropic partners, we work to be a center for progress and a catalyst for change.
Woven Together: What It Takes to End Poverty
6 p.m. May 6, 2024 | Red Mountain Theatre
FRANK DISCUSSION. DIVERSE VIEWS. SOLUTIONS THAT CAN MOVE US FORWARD.
In our continued learning series that seeks to bridge divides and build solutions, and in partnership with American Enterprise Institute (AEI), two former members of the presidential administrations of Barack Obama and Donald J. Trump will discuss the causes of poverty, differing views on addressing it, potential paths to social mobility and economic opportunity, and how we can navigate the diverse narratives surrounding one of society’s most pressing issues.
Recent Grants
A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club
$40,000 to support the After School Care and Summer Camp programs in Bessemer’s Southside Homes Unit to offer tutoring, homework assistance, and enriching activities designed by Boys & Girls Clubs of America for youth aged 6-18.
Shelby Emergency Assistance
$30,000 over two years to hire a Food Recovery Specialist to spearhead efforts in food pantry management, garden oversight, and the food recovery program involving local grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers.
Parkinson Association of Alabama
$10,000 to support the Care Navigation program to support one-on-one sessions, provide kits to the newly diagnosed, and to support the online Parkinson’s Disease Resource Center.
Hearts of Wheels
$20,000 to purchase and repair cars for underserved youth as part of the Workforce Transportation Support Program, providing local youth with the means to get to work, trade schools, and college.
Studio By the Tracks
$25,000 over two years to establish an artist residency program benefiting local artists and individuals on the autism spectrum. The program offers paid opportunities, enhanced training, and art sales opportunities for participants.
Give Today, Tomorrow & Forever
Explore ways to organize and focus your giving to benefit the community, causes and organizations you care about today, tomorrow, and forever. We offer tailored strategies to optimize your giving for maximum community impact.
Grants
Our grantmaking framework is the vehicle that provides funding to nonprofits creating impact, empowering the people and organizations that best understand how to serve their communities with the resources they need. These investments are powered by the generosity of donors who have entrusted the Foundation to meet our community’s needs.
News & Updates
2024 Greenways Bus Tour: The People Behind the Preserves
Communities play a pivotal role in preserving and acquiring land for green spaces, ensuring that areas like the Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, and Ruffner Mountain thrive rather than disappear. Without the dedication and action of individuals and groups advocating for conservation, these natural havens could easily succumb to development pressures. Through grassroots efforts, fundraising, and lobbying, people champion the protection of such spaces, recognizing their intrinsic value for biodiversity, recreation, and mental well-being. Consequently, these places become sanctuaries for wildlife, oases for relaxation, and educational resources for future generations, all thanks to the active involvement of people who understand the importance of safeguarding our natural heritage.
WOVEN TOGETHER: WHAT IT TAKES TO END POVERTY
Frank discussion. Diverse views. Solutions that can move us forward. In our continued learning series that seeks to bridge divides and build solutions, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, in collaboration with American Enterprise Institute (AEI), will present Woven Together: What It Takes to End Poverty at 6 p.m. May 6, 2024, at Red Mountain Theatre, 1600 3rd Ave. S. in Birmingham. This robust discussion will feature two former members of the presidential administrations of Barack Obama and Donald J. Trump.
Community Foundation Moving Into Nextec Building
In early March, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham will move its headquarters to the Nextec building at 1531 Third Avenue North. Since its 1959 founding, the Community Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars back into the community through grantmaking, innovative initiatives, and philanthropy, and the new location will further empower its mission as a catalyst for transformational change.