7 ways this local org has created a better + stronger Birmingham

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For 65 years, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has taken vital steps in helping our community in many ways, like creating access to local mental health services, supplying grants to assist small local businesses and more.

This May the organization turns 65 and we’re celebrating by filling you in on what this organization is all about, plus some of their most incredible accomplishments. Read on for more.

About the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is one of over 900 community foundations in the country.

It was founded in 1959 by visionary leaders to provide grants for health, education, culture and other projects to benefit the community.

While all community foundations share a similar structure, each is unique in how they strive to help their local communities.

“This year marks our 65th anniversary, and with over half a billion dollars reinvested back into the community over this time, there is much to celebrate.”

Christopher Nanni, President + CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Another unique feature of community foundations is their ability to evolve and respond to the ever-changing landscape of philanthropy. 

One way the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has evolved is by recently relocating their office space to the Nextec building at 1531 Third Avenue North. 

The restored and renovated building was the vision of Michael Mouron, chairman emeritus of Capstone Development Partners, and is a public/private partnership with REV Birmingham, an economic development 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to revitalize and create vibrant commercial districts. 

Doing so allows them to be closer to and better support the communities they serve.

“Situated at the nexus of the Switch and Civil Rights Districts, we are a community foundation with boots on the ground—visible, accessible and addressing critical and underlying issues that will move our community forward together.

I am honored to lead a passionate team that wakes up every day with the singular focus of how we can make our community better.”

Christopher Nanni, President + CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Top accomplishments

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has done many incredible things in its 65 years.

Here are seven significant ways they’ve impacted Birmingham recently:

1. They are a leader in creating access to local mental health services.

Since launching their Mental Health Initiative in 2016, the Foundation has become a leader in expanding access to mental health services. 

One example of this is the Craig Crisis Care Center, which offers rapid response services to adults facing a mental health crisis. 

The Foundation provided critical matching funds, advocacy and planning to help secure $7 million in state funding and open the center in Spring 2023. 

2. They paved the way to a Children’s Hospital expansion.

Children’s of Alabama serves children from every county in Alabama and nearly every state. It’s also the only health system in our state dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children.

In 2001, the Community Foundation awarded its first-ever $1 million grant to expand Children’s Hospital.

3. They helped establish + enhance 3 Birmingham-area parks.

The Magic City is home to many parks and green spaces, but did you know the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is to thank, in part, for Railroad Park, Red Mountain Park and the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center

Through community education, strategic leadership and a $1 million grant, three area parks were created and improved.

The Foundation also led the effort to raise $15 million for the Three Parks Initiative—a combined campaign jointly managed by the Foundation and Region 2020. 

4. They aided in bettering regional cooperation.

In 2019, mayors from 22 municipalities in Jefferson County signed the Good Neighbor Pledge—an agreement spearheaded by the Foundation to stop poaching among cities and pursue long-term economic growth in the region. 

This was a result of a three-year-effort by the Foundation to support regional cooperation. 

5. They helped launch the Via Microtransit pilot program.

In 2019, they began working with the City of Birmingham to explore an innovative, fast-response rideshare model for public transportation. 

The Foundation + Catalyst Funds provided leadership and funding to support the launch of the Via Microtransit pilot program.

6. They established the Small Business Impact Grant Program.

In 2021, the Community Foundation made its largest single funding commitment ever—$1.5 million.

This mighty contribution was used to establish the Small Business Impact Grant Program, made possible by Catalyst Funds. 

The Foundation was then able to provide grants to six mission-driven lenders with the goal of bolstering small, underserved businesses in the region. 

7. In 1982, they provided a $100,000 grant to open the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama.

The Greater Birmingham area is home to several underserved communities.

Thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to open the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, millions of meals per year are accessible to more than 230 partner agencies in 12 Alabama communities.

If you love what the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is doing—learn more by visiting their website and following them on Facebook and Instagram

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