The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc
The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Selma, Alabama, serving as a vital community foundation for Alabama's Black Belt region. Founded in 2002, BBCF operates as a community-led organization with a distinctive governance model that ensures representation from all communities within its service area. Beyond grantmaking, the foundation operates multiple Head Start programs, organizes community events and music performance series, manages disaster relief efforts, and runs various community development initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$26.3M
-10.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
-34.4% YoY
Grant Count
45
-10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
-27.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
BBCF's mission is to "forge a collective stream of giving from the community and other sources so we, the people of the Black Belt, can enhance our continuing efforts to lift ourselves by taking what we have to make what we need." The foundation seeks to "ensure all Black Belt residents live and work in healthy, prosperous, inclusive, educated creative and giving communities."
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education: Operating Head Start programs for children ages 3-5 and supporting educational partnerships with institutions of higher education
- Arts and Culture: Supporting arts programming and cultural initiatives
- Community Development: Funding community-led projects that strengthen and uplift communities
- Human Services: Supporting child welfare and family services
- Disaster Relief: Providing emergency support to communities affected by disasters
Grantmaking
BBCF operates an annual Arts and Community Grants Cycle with the following structure:
Review Cycle
, BBCF awarded $344,447 to 126 community and arts organizations.
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
BBCF serves a 12-county service area in Alabama's Black Belt region:
Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, and Wilcox counties.
The Black Belt region stretches across the middle of Alabama, from Mississippi almost to Georgia, and is named for its dark, rich soil. The region has the state's greatest number of African American residents.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $26,271,694
- Total Annual Revenue: $11,452,438
- Total Annual Expenses: $14,023,321
- Total Giving: $2,294,033
- Number of Employees: 125
Historical Giving: Since 2005, BBCF has distributed over $16 million in grants to nonprofits throughout the 12-county region.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $26,271,694 | $29,203,021 | $13,179,524 |
| Revenue | $11,452,438 | $31,702,700 | $16,134,472 |
| Expenses | $14,023,321 | $14,977,995 | $11,755,311 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $400,005 | $94,429 | $50,915 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
210 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc
Black Belt Community Foundation: Arts and Community Grants
THE BLACK BELT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
US $500 - US $3,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
The William and Geraldine Curry Scholarship for Academic and Community Leadership
THE BLACK BELT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Fund for Southern Communities ($242,750), Bama Kids ($150,000), Divine Girls Coalition ($128,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AL UNITE MONTGOMERY, AL | 2024 CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT PROJECT | $22,500 |
| APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY FUND KNOXVILLE, TN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $28,500 |
| APPALACHIAN COMMUNITY FUND KNOXVILLE, TN | 2024 BLACK GIRL DREAM FUND | $18,500 |
| BAMA KIDS CAMDEN, AL | 2024 BLACK GIRL DREAM FUND | $12,000 |
| BAMA KIDS CAMDEN, AL | COMMUNITY PARTNER - HEALTHY FAMILIES | $150,000 |
| BLACK BELT UNINCORPORATED WASTEWATER PROGRAM MONTGOMERY, AL | 2024 TRANSFORMING WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE U.S. | $50,000 |
| BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE SELMA, AL | 2024 FESTIVAL GRANT | $10,000 |
| BUTLER YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE BUTLER, AL | 2024 COMMUNITY GRANT | $6,217 |
| COLUMBIA WORLD PROJECT TUSCALOOSA, AL | 2024 TRANSFORMING WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE U.S. | $50,000 |
| DESTINATION LIBERATION INC CHARLOTTE, NC | 2024 BLACK GIRL DREAM FUND | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Chris Spencer – President and CEO
Key Historical Figures:
- Dr. Carol P. Zippert – Vice president of the Babcock Foundation board, co-publisher of the Greene County Democrat, and director of the Society of Folk Arts and Culture; led the initial effort to establish BBCF
- David Wilson – Vice President for University Outreach at Auburn University; conceived the "Regional Foundation for the Black Belt" concept
- Senator Hank Sanders – Chair of the Selma Collaborative; worked closely with Zippert on the foundation's establishment
- Julian Smith – Executive with Alabama Power Company who contributed to the foundation's development
Grant Program Contacts:
- Arts Grants: Aaron Head
- Community Grants: Samantha Ledbetter and Wendell Paris Jr.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALTER D GIVHAN | CHAIRPERSON | 1 | — |
| DARLENE G ROBINSON | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 1 | — |
| KHANDI FLOWERS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| VERONICA DRAKE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| TONY CHERRY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOHN H ENGLAND | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA M FARRIOR | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SCHNAVIA S HATCHER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CALIDA J M HENDERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CLIFFORD O HUNTER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMAAL HUNTER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARTHA B LOCKETT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| EUGENE MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JESSE MOORE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KENNARD RANDOLPH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROBERT L TURNER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MARVIN W WIGGINS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| FELECIA LUCKY | PRESIDENT | 40 | $325,256 |
| CHRISTOPHER H SPENCER | CHIEF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER | 40 | $106,349 |
| SERENA CHEN LOW | CHIEF OF STAFF | 40 | $102,302 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**January 2026:** BBCF announced the opening of its 2026 Arts and Community Grants Cycle with applications opening January 20 and closing February 6, 2026.
BBCF announces winners of 2025 Community Grants and Arts Grants cycle | News**January 2026:** Head Start classrooms registered to participate in the National Head Start Association's Cabinet of Wonder virtual learning experience on February 11, 2026.
**May 2025:** BBCF awarded $344,447 in grants to 126 community and arts organizations through the 2025 grant cycle.
2025 Arts & Community Grant Awards Ceremony - Black Belt Community Foundation**November 2025:** BBCF President announced the Food for Families Fund in response to federal SNAP benefit disruptions affecting thousands of families across Alabama's Black Belt.
Contact Information
Address: 609 Lauderdale Street, Selma, AL 36702 (also listed as 410 Church St, Selma, AL 36702)
Phone: 334-874-1126
Email: info@blackbeltfound.org
Website: blackbeltfound.org
Family Services Coordinator: 334-349-0372
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc fund?
BBCF's mission is to "forge a collective stream of giving from the community and other sources so we, the people of the Black Belt, can enhance our continuing efforts to lift ourselves by taking what we have to make what we need." The foundation seeks to "ensure all Black Belt residents live and work in healthy, prosperous, inclusive, educated creative and giving communities." Primary funding focus areas include: • **Education**: Operating Head Start programs for children ages 3-5 and supportin…
How do I apply for a grant from The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc?
BBCF operates an annual Arts and Community Grants Cycle with the following structure: **Grant Types and Amounts:** • Arts Grants: $500 to $3,500 • Community Grants: $500 to $5,000 **Application Process:** • Applications are submitted online through the foundation's website • New organizations must attend a Grantseekers Workshop before submitting applications • Returning grantees may apply directly through the online grants portal • Proposals undergo a review process with final funding decisions…
Where does The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc make grants?
BBCF serves a 12-county service area in Alabama's Black Belt region: Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, and Wilcox counties. The Black Belt region stretches across the middle of Alabama, from Mississippi almost to Georgia, and is named for its dark, rich soil. The region has the state's greatest number of African American residents.
What size grants does The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc awarded 45 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Black Belt Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 63-1270745. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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