Community Foundation awards grants, features local nonprofits on annual tour

HUNTSVILLE — Supporting its commitment to equity in the area, the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville presented its second annual Equity in Action Tour and announced its Racial Equity Fund grant recipients.

Local leaders and stakeholders joined foundation board members, volunteers, and staff in distributing more than $70,000 to Huntsville-area nonprofits. The announcement was followed by a visit to four grant winners to learn about their impact on North Alabama.

“The Equity in Action Tour is more than just a grant announcement; it’s an opportunity to shine a light on the incredible efforts of our local nonprofits,” said Melissa Thompson, CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. “These grants are strategic investments in a future where every individual in our community has the chance to thrive.”

The Racial Equity Fund matches donors with causes dedicated to expanding opportunities to minority communities. The fund focuses on eight quality of life areas: arts and culture, basic needs, economic opportunity, education, environment, health and wellness, neighborhoods and community, and recreation.

More than 80 donors contributed to the fund, representing a diverse cross-section of the Greater Huntsville community.

The fund is one of the collective impact funds in the “Now & Later” portfolio managed by the foundation, allowing donors to make an impact this year and for years to come.

Today’s event featured check presentations to seven nonprofit organizations. Twenty-six organizations applied for funding, with 15 of those applicants invited to participate in the second stage of the review process.

The Grants Committee then narrowed to the seven final grantees. The foundation invited donors and the community to co-invest in the seven organizations and their proposed projects.

With matching funds from an outside source, the foundation nearly doubled the amount of initially awarded funding, granting a total of $78,640 to the following seven organizations:

• The Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama: a $6,500 grant to support its Skill Building program, which is part of the YouthForce workforce credentialing initiative. This program equips historically disadvantaged youth with the education, exposure, and real-world experiences they need to pursue meaningful careers and achieve long-term success.
• Huntsville Community Drumline: an $8,100 grant to provide access to professional, tuition-free music education. Serving children, youth, young adults, and retirees, the program focuses on percussion instruction while also offering academic tutoring, mentoring, and opportunities to perform. This program fosters creativity, discipline, and confidence across generations.
• Huntsville Learning Center: a $5,000 grant to support its Summer Growth Camp, an immersive program for students in grades 6–10. Through a blend of academic enrichment and new experiences, the camp empowers students to expand their horizons, build confidence, and envision a brighter future filled with opportunity.
• Momentum Leaders: a $6,000 grant to provide scholarships to expand access to high-impact professional development for women of color. These opportunities help participants grow their careers, increase their earning potential, and build networks that drive upward mobility.
• The Cap & Gown Project: a $38,600 grant for its STEM Summer Institute. Through the STEM Summer Institute, students participate in rigorous test prep, engage in hands-on STEM projects, explore college campuses, and build pathways to postsecondary success.
• The Legacy Center: a $7,440 grant to support caregivers of loved ones living with dementia – a condition that disproportionately affects African American women. This program provides education, resources, and emotional support for caregivers as they navigate the challenges of this journey.
• Village of Promise: a $7,000 grant to support Promise Preparatory, an early childhood education program that ensures children are developmentally ready to enter kindergarten. By also providing affordable, high-quality care, the program allows caregivers to pursue employment and education opportunities.

Since its inception, the Racial Equity Fund has awarded 50 grants to local organizations, totaling $545,850.

Following today’s announcement, attendees embarked on the Equity in Action Tour, visiting key previous grant recipients to observe their programs in action and understand the ripple effect of the Foundation’s support. The itinerary included visits to the Boys & Girls Club of North Alabama, Village of Promise, and Girls Inc., as well as an update from the Huntsville Housing Authority.