Competitive Grants: Cycle 2- Fall grant cycle

Competitive Grants: Cycle 2- Fall grant cycle

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Amount: US $5,000 - US $75,000
Last Updated: July 31, 2025

Summary

The Competitive Grants: Cycle 2 by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham supports nonprofits in Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties. Grants are available for projects focused on Thriving Communities, Equity and Inclusion, and Economic Opportunity. Organizations can apply for one- to three-year funding, with amounts typically ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities, while ineligible funding includes support for individuals and political organizations.

Overview

A Community Foundation grant can support your work and our shared vision for a just, prosperous, and unified region where every person is empowered to reach their full potential. Grants focus on five priority areas that guide our leadership, grantmaking, and community support, and are open to nonprofits serving Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, and St. Clair Counties. The Community Foundation has two grantmaking cycles. During each cycle we accept applications in all five of our Priority Areas: Thriving Communities, Equity and Inclusion, Regional Cooperation, Economic Opportunity for All, and Overcoming Persistent Poverty. Grant Cycle 2 The Community Foundation has two grantmaking cycles. During each cycle we accept applications in all five of our Priority Areas: Thriving Communities, Equity and Inclusion, Regional Cooperation, Economic Opportunity for All, and Overcoming Persistent Poverty. Grant Terms Strategic grants may be requested over a one-, two-, or three-year period based on the scale and schedule of the proposal. General operating grants are limited to one-year terms. Grant Amounts There is no maximum request amount, but in recent years awarded grants have ranged from $5,000 to $100,000 with an average amount of $35,000. For Strategic Purpose grants, requests should not exceed 25% of the budget for the proposed project. Potential or secured support for the remaining 75% of the budget should be identified. The applicant’s request and project budget should be reasonable in relation to the applicant’s prior revenue, budget, and activities. Organizations with documented revenue under $25,000 (based on previous fiscal year) may request a general operating support grant in this category. General operating support is defined as funding to maintain current programs and/or operations. Organizations with documented revenue between $25,000 -$100,000 (based on previous fiscal year) may request a general operating support grant in this category. Organizations requesting a grant of $75,000 or greater MUST have an annual or semi-annual independent audit.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant Restrictions:Applicants must be currently designated a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization by the IRS OR be an exempt-Religious Institution OR be a government entityApplicants must serve Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair or Walker counties in Alabama.Large organizations with many branches or departments (e.g. colleges, universities, YMCA, public libraries) must submit requests from the president’s office or the development office.An applicant with a current open grant from the Community Foundation may apply but MUST be up to date on all reports and should have a very compelling or timely reason for requesting a new grant.

Ineligibility

No grants are made to or for:IndividualsReligious organizations for religious purposesNational fundraising drivesSponsorship of fundraising eventsPolitical organizations or candidates for public officeScholarship or endowment fundsDebt reductionScholarship or campership programsReplacement of government funding cutsGeneral operating support (funding to maintain current programs or operations) – with exception of small organizations with under $100K revenue (see categories above)Unspecified indirect costs (may request a portion of funds to support administrative or other indirect costs, but must be presented as specific line items vs. indirect cost rate/percentage)