BLACK BELT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - Grants
BBCF Grant Application
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 grants will bear the greatest fruits. We look for situations where small amounts of funds will make significant impact.
Grants are awarded twice a year for works that help transform the Black Belt. The grants range from $500-$2,500. Extraordinary projects may receive grants up to $5,000. Applications are not accepted from the same organization in successive grant cycles.
For more information about applying for a grant, please call the office at 866-874-1126 or download grant application CommunityPacket.pdf
BBCF-funded Charities and Programs
The Black Belt Community Foundation has made a strong commitment to support arts and cultural programs that help to enhance the quality of life in the region. Whether through supporting organizations that are working to preserve historic structures in Bullock County , providing funding to Dallas County museums, or even partnering with local festivals the BBCF is enthusiastic to play a key role in lifting the region.
The following is a sampling of the charities and programs funded by the BBCF:
National Voting Rights Museum & Institute
Jonathan Daniels Community Development Corporation
Jefferson CommunitySchoolCenter
Bullock County Community Health Advisors
Young Men Building For The Future
Harambe Community Youth Organization
BBCF Grants Spotlight
Bethlehem—Helping Young People Excel
Ashten Tinker wants to be a singer. But if that doesn't work out, the 14-year old wants to be a lawyer.
Edjuan Jemison, 11, wants to be a teacher.
They don't mind school, not even the dreaded subject of math, and they are looking forward to going to college. But it didn't use to be that way.
When members of Sawyerville's Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church recognized more than three years ago that children in the church were suffering academically, they established a non-profit organization in order to begin an after-school tutorial program called Bethlehem—Helping Young People Excel (B-HYPE). With support from BBCF, children in the program are continuing to make better grades and most are on the honor roll in their respective schools.
BBCF Grants Spotlight
Tuskegee Futbol Youth International
Dingani Nkuchwayo came a long way to be in Alabama , over 8,000 miles, from Bulawayo , Zimbabwe , Dingani's place of birth, to Tuskegee . After coming to America and spending his teenage years in Georgia , Dingani says, “I visited Tuskegee and here I am.” That's his simple explanation for calling the Black Belt home.
And what Dingani wants to do in the Black Belt is also simple. He wants to help, to give and improve. By this creed he defines himself.
“My overall interest in life is not materialistic,” Dingani said. “I'm only satisfied when I'm helping someone. It's the only way to realize one's value.”
Dingani's method of helping, giving and improving is Tuskegee Futbol Youth International, a program he founded in 1998. The program is a nonprofit organization that brings community youth together through the sport of soccer.