Women’s Foundation of Alabama moves into new headquarters near the Rotary Trail in Birmingham

Women's Foundation of Alabama
Women’s Foundation of Alabama’s new statewide headquarters near the Rotary Trail in Birmingham (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

The Women’s Foundation of Alabama has relocated its headquarters to 2213 1st Avenue South in Birmingham overlooking the iconic Rotary Trail. 

The organization is Alabama’s sole statewide public foundation investing with a gender lens and foremost advocate for women’s issues. According to the Foundation, the move paves the way for unparalleled opportunities for women’s economic advancement and is a pivotal milestone in the Foundation’s history. 

The new headquarters in the heart of The Magic City marks the final phase of the organization’s statewide expansion strategy.

Part of a 27-year Legacy

“For us this is more than a building. It’s part of a 27-year legacy and five-year strategy to build the most powerful philanthropic and leadership voice for women in Alabama,” said Melanie R. Bridgeforth, MSW, president and chief executive officer of Women’s Foundation of Alabama. “This expanded and community-facing office space is a physical manifestation of our evolution and commitment to partnering with a statewide village to eliminate economic inequity for women at scale.”

From LIV on Fifth to the Rotary Trail

Freshwater Land Trust
Rotary Trail in downtown Birmingham. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Formerly located at LIV on Fifth in Birmingham, according to information provided by the Foundation, the new headquarters has the following amenities:

  • More than 5,000 square feet of space 
  • Eight offices
  • Four private workspaces
  • Three collaborative areas
  • Open floor plan
  • Distinctive Women’s Foundation of Alabama signage, featuring the organization’s logo on the external facade of the building.

Progress

Inside Women's Foundation of Alabama new headquarters
Inside Women’s Foundation of Alabama’s new statewide headquarters near the Rotary Trail in Birmingham (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

“Our logo, illuminated next to Birmingham’s iconic Rotary Trail, is a symbol of progress,” said Bridgeforth about the sign in the news release. “Progress of women leading this organization nearly three decades ago, today, and 30 years from now. We are the face of change and our new space meets the needs of the communities we serve today.” 

Additional features in the new headquarters include personalized naming opportunities for key benefactors, open floor plan for community forums and small gatherings, and wall dedications honoring the legacy of trailblazing women.

Since the adoption of its new strategic direction in 2018, the Foundation has doubled grantmaking, produced groundbreaking research, and secured nine policy wins advancing women’s health, wage equality, and critical work supports.

Grand Opening

The Foundation will host an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and community open house in June. 

Learn more about the Foundation at: https://wfalabama.org/

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Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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