BLACK BELT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - Giving Through Grants
Giving Through Grants
The Black Belt Community Foundation believes that one of the best ways to improve our communities is by strengthening organizations doing smart, innovative work in our region. Since 2005, we have supported hundreds of organization based in and serving the 12-county service area through our competitive grant program.
The Black Belt Community Foundation awards two types of support. Grant Funds can be requested through The Black Belt Arts Initiative and Community Grant Programs.
The Black Belt Arts Initiative is a partnership with the BBCF, Youth & Cultural Committee of the Black Belt Action Commission, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA,) promotes artists, arts awareness, and creativity in the Black Belt. Grant Awards are available for projects addressing visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, cultural history, or other areas that coincide with the goals of BBAI.
The Community Grants support efforts that engage Black Belt residents that address any community issue or need. Proposed activities can include but are not limited to: community economic development, education, environment, health and human services, youth, and/or other areas benefiting the community.
In addition to our grant program, BBCF help organization sustain themselves through gaining knowledge through additional resources. These additional resources can come from inside and outside the region to help organizations become better and stronger.
In June of 2009, BBCF reached the $1,000,000 mark, providing 413 organizations a way to “take what they have to make what they need.”
How to Apply
Grants are made by the Black Belt Community Foundation with the approval of the Board of Directors. The professional staff works closely with the Grants Committee, which is comprised of both board members and non-board members, representing a broad spectrum of the Alabama Black Belt.
We do not have areas of focus in grant making. We believe those on the front lines in the community best understand the particular needs and where funds will bear the greatest fruits. We look for situations where small amounts of funds will make the most significant impact.
Applications are accepted twice a year: March 1st for Black Belt Arts Initiative Grants and June 1st for Community Grants. Grants are awarded to support projects that help transform the Black Belt. The grants range from $500-$3,000.
For more information about applying for a grant, please contact Field Services Representatives Florence Williams at fwilliams@blackbeltfound.org or Kimani Varner at kvarner@blackbeltfound.org or call the office at 866-874-1126.
Back to TopCommunity Grants
The Community Grants Program awards approximately 40 organizations each year to community-based organizations based in and serving the region. Most grants are between $500 and $3,000. BBCF receives over 100 proposals per year and funds about 40. Here is information about our most recent awards.
Community Grants support community efforts that will contribute to the strength, innovation, and success of Black Belt citizens and communities. BBCF understands that all counties are not “created equal.” Therefore, the need in each county and community will be different. Grant proposals should engage Black Belt residents and Black Belt leaders in addressing community issues. These issues, and the proposed activities, can include but are not limited to:
- community economic development,
- education,
- environment,
- health and human services,
- youth, and/or other areas benefiting the community.
Proposals must show evidence of the following:
- concrete and clear goals and objectives,
- an awareness of existing community resources/assets,
- a record of cooperation with others through partnerships and collaborations,
- community engagement in its work,
- a record of past good work and accomplishment, and
- has real presence in community
Please contact Field Services Representatives Florence O. Williams at fwilliams@blackbeltfound.org or Kimani S. Varner at kvarner@blackbeltfound.org or call the office at 866-874-1126 if you have questions about your eligibility or our funding priorities, grant forms or timelines.
Back to Top2008 Community Grants
The Black Belt Community Foundation awarded $125,000 to 47 organizations in its seventh round of community grants.
Bullock County
Aberfoil School Community Center to purchase beams and seals to raise the corners of the building to make it conducive for learning and recreation
$3,000
Oak Grove Community Youth Group to assist with clearing a site for construction of a playground, purchasing playground equipment, and providing technical assistance
$3,000
Union Springs/ Bullock County Crime Stoppers, Inc. to purchase technology and equipment for operations and programs
$1,750
Choctaw County
Bobby’s Community Center to continue facility improvements and complete new additions to the building
$3,000
Choctaw Community Development Center, Inc. to offer organizational development workshops in Choctaw County
$3,000
Golden Achievement Child Care, Inc. to purchase supplies and materials to support an indoor and outdoor gardening project
$2,500
Harvest Ministries to support health screenings and educational workshops, operating supplies for food pantry, and application for IRS 501(c)(3) designation
$3,000
Indian Springs, Choctaw Unity and Tompkinsville Schools (ISCUTS) to continue restoration of the cemetery including bulldozing, filling in fallen graves, repairing broken headstones, and erecting a fence
$3,000
Dallas County
Community Garden Coalition to purchase garden supplies for community garden programs
$1,050
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. to support materials and transportation for the 2008-2009 Kappa League program
$1,525
Orrville Volunteer Fire Department to purchase six Nomex Wildland firefighting suits
$2,550
Prosperity Christian Methodist Episcopal Church to apply for IRS 501(c)(3) designation
$750
SABRA Sanctuary, Inc. to purchase heating and cooling window units for comfort and safety of the shelter guests
$1,200
Slavery & Civil War Museum to support supplies for two ongoing study groups, including books, movies, and refreshments
$3,000
Selma Children’s Museum to support expenses for membership in the Association of Children’s Museums, application for IRS 501(c)(3) designation, the construction of a website, and purchase computer
$3,000
Greene County
Greene County Children’s Policy Council to support materials, software, cultural trips, and stipends for an after-school program
$3,000
Greene County Foster & Adoptive Parents Association to support materials, transportation, and accommodations for the “Imagine Me Journey: Word Up Project”
$3,000
Harambe Community Youth Organization to support registration fees for several youth to attend the 21st Century summer leadership camp and application for IRS 501(c)(3) designation
$3,000
New Hope/New Vision/Vision Impaired Support Group to provide materials and transportation for various activities, and purchase a computer and printer
$3,000
New Horizons to support workshops in basket weaving, sewing, and flower arranging as a form of creating community economic development
$1,400
Lowndes County
Lowndes Citizens United for Action to sponsor three clean-up days, two county-wide educational projects on recycling and composting, and the annual Earth Day celebration
$2,500
The Total Woman Exercise Ministry to purchase exercise equipment and advertising, and provide stipends for fitness instructors
$3,000
Macon County
Bethel Destiny Community Services, Inc. to provide stipends tutoring, office equipment, and application fees for IRS 501(c)(3) designation
$3,000
Greenwood Village Revitalization Movement to support revitalization and renovation of the neighborhood and application for IRS 501(c)(3) designation
$3,000
Harris Barrett School, Inc. to continue to restore the school building and develop the surrounding three acres as a walking/hiking trail
$3,000
Macon County Farmers Market to support the Macon County Farmers Market efforts to promote small farmer profitability
$3,000
McRae Prostate Cancer Awareness Foundation to support a health education campaign and the production of brochures, flyers, and other informative publications
$3,000
Tuskegee-Macon County YMCA to support 2008 college tours of four Alabama colleges, two Georgia colleges, and two Louisiana colleges
$3,000
Marengo County
Faunsdale Community Center to apply for IRS 501(c)(3) designation and begin renovations to the old Faunsdale City Hall
$3,000
Flatwood Community Development Organization to purchase materials and technology to supplement Flatwood’s programs
$3,000
Friends of Demopolis Public Library to support and implement a program called “Tech Tuesday” that will provide patrons with free one-on-one computer assistance
$1,000
Marengo County Historical Society to help six community leaders attend the Alabama Community Leadership Network Conference (ACLN)
$2,400
Perry County
Class of ’64, Inc. to apply for IRS 501(c)(3) designation and support the cost of the Eminent Scholars youth activities
$3,000
Sundown Ranch: Uniontown Youth & Agriculture to provide hands-on training on showing meat goats, including trainer’s fees, grooming and feeding expenses, and transportation to Tuskegee University’s Goat Show
$3,000
Pickens County
Sapps Community Center, Inc. to purchase materials, supplies, and equipment to support activities for Senior Citizens
$1,875
Sumter County
Alabama Black Belt Heritage Area to produce a “Children’s Tour of the Black Belt” activity pamphlet
$3,000
Deep South Network Cancer Control to provide assistance to cancer patients and support awareness activities
$3,000
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ LAF to expand the Sankofa Youth Agricultural Project’s agriculture initiative into a five-acre organic farm/pasture poultry program
$3,000
Greene/Sumter Enterprise Community, Inc. to support a two-day strategic planning retreat
$3,000
Health and Wellness Center to support and expand the “Jump2it” exercise program to include Choctaw, Greene, and Pickens counties
$3,000
Sumter County Alabama Chamber of Commerce to support start-up expenses and workshops
$2,500
Sumter County Education Foundation to support the planning and production of an educational summit
$3,000
Wilcox County
Black Freedmen’s Living Historical Farm for Children, Inc. to begin the planning and implementation of the “Community Organic Farming and Economic Program”
$3,000
Faith Fellowship Community Outreach, Inc. to purchase four computers for the learning center
$3,000
Freedom Quilting Bee
To support intensive quilting workshops for youth of the area to spur community economic development
$3,000
National Council of Negro Women, Inc. to support an STD and HIV/AIDS education workshop for Wilcox County and the surrounding areas
$3,000
Pine Hill Mission, Inc. to provide supplies for an array of activities, such as leisurely games and indoor recreation that will benefit people of all ages
$3,000