Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

December 31, 2026

95 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Twice a year
Current deadline
December 31, 2026
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Nonprofits serving the specified counties

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: Organizations that received a competitive grant in the last grant cycle or have an open grant are not eligible to apply.

Overview

Competitive Grantmaking Program

Geographic Scope: Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties, Alabama

Eligibility: Open to nonprofits serving the specified counties. Organizations that received a competitive grant in the last grant cycle or have an open grant are not eligible to apply.

Priority Areas:

  • Thriving Communities

  • Regional Cooperation

  • Economic Opportunity for All

  • Overcoming Persistent Poverty

  • Equity and Inclusion
  • Grant Process: Two-stage proposal process consisting of:
    1. Brief Proposal stage
    2. Full Proposal stage
    3. Site visits scheduled with applicants advancing to full proposal stage

    2026 Cycle Details:

  • Spring 2026 cycle applications are now closed; grants will be announced in May 2026

  • Fall 2026 cycle dates:

  • - Brief Proposals: January 12-30
    - Full Proposal Notifications: March 12
    - Full Proposals: March 12-27
    - Site Visits: March 30 - April 17
    - Grants Announced: May 21

    2025 Results: $3.1 million awarded to 121 organizations

    Contact: Nicole Standridge at nstandridge@cfbham.org

    Resources: Competitive Grantmaking Guidelines available on website

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    This is a two-stage proposal process:

    1. Brief Proposal Stage - Submit initial brief proposal during designated application window
    2. Full Proposal Stage - Selected organizations invited to submit full proposals
    3. Site Visits - Community Foundation conducts site visits with all full proposal stage applicants
    4. Grant Announcement - Final grants announced on specified date

    For detailed application requirements and guidelines, refer to the Competitive Grantmaking Guidelines on the website.

    What The Community Foundation of Greater actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990, 2024

    Grants in 2024
    440
    Total given
    $43.6M
    Median grant
    $21K
    Range
    $5,050–$4.31M
    • By dollars: Alabama 84%, Virginia 5%, Iowa 2%. Top recipient cities: Birmingham, AL; Atlanta, GA; Pelham, AL.
    • 9% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
    • 30% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

    Example grants

    • Lovelady Centerfreedom Rain · Birmingham, AL

      Family and social services; daf funded

      $4.31M

    • Doulos Partners · Vestavia Hills, AL

      Family and social services; daf funded

      $1.6M

    • United Way of Central Alabama · Birmingham, AL

      Family and social services

      $1.46M

    • National Christian Foundation Alabama · Birmingham, AL

      General support; daf funded

      $1.27M

    • Chatham Hall · Chatham, VA

      Education; daf funded

      $1.14M

    IRS Form 990, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitscommunity-developmentpoverty-alleviationeconomic-servicesdiversity

    Categories

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