Community Foundation of South Alabama: Arts and Culture Competitive Grant Cycle

The Community Foundation of South Alabama offers an Arts and Culture Competitive Grant Cycle aimed at enhancing access to high-quality arts programs in southwest Alabama. This initiative supports projects that provide equitable arts education for K-12 students and promote diverse cultural experiences. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $15,000, with a focus on sustainability and community impact.

CFSA will accept grant applications for projects focused on increasing access to high-quality arts and culture.
Increasing access to high-quality arts and culture
The Foundation will work with community stakeholders and organizations to support programs and projects that:Ensure equitable access to high quality arts education for K-12-aged students.Support arts experiences for students in and outside of school, especially within underprivileged communities.Provide opportunities for all to experience culturally diverse arts programming led by professional teaching artists and arts educators that reflect their communities.
Types of Grants
These grants are typically one-year funding commitments.
Program Grants
Program grants enable a nonprofit organization or coalition of organizations and interested stakeholders to implement a specific project designed to benefit the community. CFSA is most interested in supporting sustainable programs that have the potential to produce meaningful results on community priorities and/or needs. Funding is provided for the expansion or refinement of existing programs as well as new programs that show promise of efficacy and sustainability. Grants to programs with a successful track record are also considered. Program grants are restricted to expenses directly and indirectly related to the operation of the project. No more than 20% may be used to pay for indirect or administrative expenses.
Grant Amounts
As a general rule, CFSA prefers program grant requests that do not exceed 50% of the budget for the program/project/activity for which the proposal is seeking support. This demonstrates that the proposal has a diversified base of support and has some measure of community buy-in. CFSA grant amounts may range from $5,000-$15,000. Requests should not exceed $15,000.

Eligibility

Applicant organizations must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 organization, government entity, educational institution, or religious organization. If applying using fiscal sponsorship, the applicant must present a formal written agreement.Organizations must serve a portion of the eight-county region which includes Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington counties. All requested funding must directly benefit individuals who reside in CFSA’s eight county region.

Ineligibility

Grants may not be used for general operating support or organizational capacity building.CFSA Typically Does Not Fund:IndividualsFundraising expensesReligious activitiesConference or seminar expensesLobbying or political activitiesPolitical organizations or candidates for public officeBudget deficit or debit reductionScholarship or endowment funds of another charityTickets for charity benefitsCapital projects and campaigns