Competitive Grants - Spring Cycle

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham offers competitive grants in various priority areas, focusing on equity, economic opportunity, and regional cooperation. Grants are available for strategic purposes, general operating support for emerging organizations, and established organizations. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) non-profits and government entities serving specific Alabama counties. The foundation aims to foster inclusive, thriving communities through collaborative efforts, addressing persistent poverty and promoting holistic growth and well-being.

The Community Foundation has two grantmaking cycles during which we accept applications in our Priority Areas:

• Thriving CommunitiesRegional CooperationEconomic Opportunity for AllOvercoming Persistent Poverty, andEquity and Inclusion
• Funding Purpose: If eligible, applicants may request a grant in one of the following three categories:
• Strategic Purpose

These grants can help establish a new program, improve or expand an existing program, increase organizational capacity, meet a new capital need (building, equipment, etc.), and/or launch a policy/systems change effort. Requests should not exceed 25% of the proposed project budget.
General Operating for Emerging Organizations
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 asfunding to maintain current programs and/or operations
General Operating Support
Organizations with documented revenue between $25,000 - $100,000 (based on previous fiscal year) may request a general operating support grant in this category.
The two general operating categories are the same in substance; they just provide emerging organizations two opportunities to receive general operating support funding asthey grow. Eligible organizations (under $25,000 revenue) may receive General Operating for Emerging Organizations funding one time only. Eligible organizations ($25,000 - $100,000 revenue) may receive General Operating Support funding one time only. Any grants awarded from 2023 on are counted toward these limits.

Eligibility

Applicants must be currently designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the IRS OR be a 501(c)(3) exempt religious institution OR be a government entity.Applicants may use a fiscal sponsor only if there is a meaningful mission fit and an existing working relationship between the two organizations.Applicants must serve Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair 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.

Ineligibility

Private non-operating foundations are not eligible.Organizations that received a competitive grant from the Community Foundation in the last grant cycle, or that have an open grant, are not eligible to apply. No grants are made to or for:Individuals
Endowment funds
Debt reduction, with limited exceptions for capital projects
Regranting to other organizations
General operating support(funding to maintain current programs or operations) - with exception of small organizations with under $100K revenueUnspecified 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)