The Community Foundation of West Alabama is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, locally managed organization founded in 1999. The purpose of the Foundation is to offer a opportunity for local donors to ensure that their charitable contributions are professionally managed and directed to the most pressing local needs and to offer a source of funding to local nonprofit organizations that seek funding for programs that strengthen the community and improve the quality of life for all residents. The Foundation makes grants for the following purposes: Arts and Humanities, Children and Youth, Education, Elder Care, Environment, Health and Medicine, Recreation, and Social Welfare.
In making its grant decisions, the Foundation looks for projects that (1) Address the originating causes of the community issue or problem; (2) Are unique in that they do not duplicate an already-provided service unless a distinct population is demonstrably under-served; (3) If a pilot project, can be widened to a larger population or duplicated by another organization if proven successful; and (4) include a useful metric throughout the project's duration that can measure/demonstrate the impact of the Foundation's support.