Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Competitive Grant Cycle
The Birmingham community foundation runs two competitive cycles a year for nonprofits in four counties. Small nonprofits can get general operating support once in each of two revenue tiers.
- Amount
- No set maximum (recent awards $5,000 to $75,000)
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- No: for-profit schools excluded
- Deadline
- Closed
- Who this fits
- Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opOpen to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and exempt religious institutions in four counties. Schools are not excluded. Priority areas are poverty, equity and economic opportunity, so a school needs a strong community angle.Religious schools: yes, not for religious activities
- New schools
- Brand-new schools can apply
- Where
- Alabama only, local area
- Last checked
- Oct 20, 2026on cfbham.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Next cycle dates
- Whether private schools have been funded before
What to do now
- Step 1: Confirm you have a 501(c)(3) letter, are an exempt religious institution, or have a qualifying fiscal sponsor
- Step 2: Read the five priority areas and pick the best fit
- Step 3: Watch for the next cycle (next dates not posted)
- Step 4: Submit a brief proposal, then a full proposal if invited
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“Applicants must be currently designated a 50l(c)(3) non-profit organization by the IRS, OR be a 50l(c)(3) exempt religious institution, OR be a government entity.”
Small groups can get general operating support one time in each revenue tier: under $25,000, then $25,000 to $100,000. Grants of $75,000 or more need an audit. Past-cycle grantees must sit out. No grants to religious organizations for religious purposes.
- Serve Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and/or St. Clair counties
- Two-stage process: brief proposal, then full proposal and site visit
- Strategic requests should not exceed 25% of the project budget
- Independent audit for requests of $75,000 or more
- A fiscal sponsor is allowed only with a real mission fit and an existing working relationship
- Not eligible while holding an open grant from the Community Foundation, or after a competitive grant in the last cycle
Timing
Two cycles each year. The 2026 spring cycle closed Jan 30, 2026 and the fall cycle closed Aug 14, 2026. Next dates not posted.