We all desire to leave our mark on the world. At the Community Foundation, we have the unique privilege of helping donors become the author of their unique legacies. When people think of legacy planning, often they initially think in terms of assets that they will pass along to their children and grandchildren. However, when…
It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come in the past three years. Although I recognize that COVID is still with us and probably will be for years to come, I think that we are all learning how to adapt to the changes that the pandemic brought about. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned…
The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville helps donors be generous, however that looks to them. By helping donors leverage the strategic impact of their generosity, they are able to create lasting positive change in the lives of individuals and families in the Huntsville area. In June 2023, Jack and Jean Lee Family Trust granted $50,000…
It is no secret that generosity plays a critical role in improving quality of life in our community. In fact, generosity is core to all of our work at the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. From addressing various basic needs to investing in health and wellness to supporting a quality education system, generosity plays a…
Journeys in giving can start anywhere. At the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville our job is to guide donors on the path to philanthropy. We are honored to work with generous individuals and families who are not only thinking about their impact today, but the legacy they want to leave behind for their families and…
Hank Isenberg’s philanthropic journey is deeply rooted in the Biblical verse, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Having received immense blessings from the community he calls home, including medical care from the team at Huntsville Hospital during his heart surgery, he feels a strong responsibility to give back in kind. Hank’s charitable efforts…
I know that I’m not completely normal, and I’m okay with that. I love Mondays and mornings. I love making New Year’s resolutions and quarterly goals. I also love new school years . . . not just as a parent, but even as a kid. For me, each of these situations represents a new beginning.…
For Norm and Kathi, generosity is not just a one-time act; it’s a way of life. They firmly believe that giving back, whether through their time, talents, or treasures, is essential to creating positive change in the world. Their giving priorities have been shaped by their respective backgrounds, which laid the foundation for their lifelong…
Karen Stanley’s family has deep roots in the Huntsville community. Stanley Construction Company, which has received national, state, and local acclaim, has operated in North Alabama since 1961. Karen currently serves at the Vice-President of Finance and Marketing, and her father Thornton Stanley was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration National Small Business Person of the Year…
Generosity is a catalyst for transforming communities and leaving behind a meaningful legacy. Jay and Hilde Dryden exemplify the power of generosity in creating a lasting legacy. The Dryden family understands that a true legacy encompasses more than just leaving money to their family. It involves leading by example, transferring values to those around them,…
Nancy Washington Vaughn and her family firmly believe in the power of generosity to createpositive change. Their current giving priority is to donate annually to the Racial Equity Fund. Bydoing so, they hope to support initiatives that address the systemic inequities based on race inareas such as education, economic opportunities, and healthcare. Through their giving,…
Suzanne Sullivan was deeply influenced by her parents’ example of generosity, particularlythrough their involvement in their church. Suzanne fondly remembers her parents’ unwaveringdedication to their church’s mission. They not only contributed financially but they also activelyparticipated in various initiatives and events. Their involvement served as a profound inspirationfor Suzanne, motivating her to carry on their…
Inspired by the belief that together we can do more, Kaitlynn Roark and her sister Amy launchedHuntsville’s first giving circle in 2017. Amy had learned about giving circles during herLeadership Greater Huntsville closing retreat in Louisville, and together the sisters, rooted in astrong family tradition of generosity, launched give256 with the hope of making a…
Driven by a genuine empathy for women and their struggles, Mary Grace Evans has chosen to donate to the Women’s Philanthropy Society, a giving initiative that aligns with her personal values and supports transformative programs for women and children. Mary Grace knows that empowering women, keeping them safe, and helping them to reach their full…
When my children were toddlers, my windowsills were often full of dandelions and clovers. As a parent, there’s nothing quite as special as the gifts your children give you. Each plucked blossom took some effort because they were so little, and they meant the world to me. I think of this often as a reminder…
G.W. Boon III has always had a strong desire to make a positive impact in his community. Asthe Board Secretary and Chair of the Community Impact Committee at the CommunityFoundation of Greater Huntsville, G.W. plays a pivotal role in shaping the foundation’s initiativesand programs to address the community’s most pressing needs. Motivated by his desire…
As I was growing up I witnessed members of my family giving their time and talents to causes that resonated with them. While I appreciated their efforts, the issues that were important to them did not speak to my heart in the same way. During my first job at the District Attorney’s office in Birmingham, I…
The generosity of those around us can serve as inspiration for our own lives. Much ofBrenda M. Martin’s perspective on giving is influenced by the love and companionshipof her late husband, W. Frank Martin. Their enduring relationship was a testament to thebelief that one person can be a gift for another. Brenda’s journey with Frank…
Sameer Singhal was witness to the beginning of CFD Research as it was launched by his parents Ashok and Sangeeta Singhal in 1987 in the basement of their Huntsville home. Now the company CEO and President, he and his brother originally made the first business sign for CFD Research Corporation using a dot matrix printer…
Mona Jeanne Boles Smith, a remarkable individual with a passion for education, the arts, and social justice, left behind a legacy of generosity upon her passing in August 2022. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1939, Mona’s life journey took her on a path of growth, understanding, and a deep commitment to making a positive…
Dr. James Gilbert, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.P., credits the instances of encouragement throughout his life with shaping his journey to who he has become today. He fondly recalls the teachers who believed in him, offering words of encouragement and envisioning a bright future. This belief in his future was instrumental in propelling him forward, ultimately guiding…
My family is grateful to live in a community where generosity thrives, giving us the ability to circle around and lean in with others to creatively and collectively team together to create a force to respond to needs around us. Our family is committed to strengthening the community in which we serve by contributing to…
Cynthia began her career in the aerospace and defense industry with Lockheed Martin in 1984. After a successful career with Lockheed Martin, she took the leap into the commercial industry joining Nokia Corporation in 1995. She led the America’s Region Logistics, Transportation Management and the U.S. Custom Compliance Team for 12 years during Nokia’s largest…
“We give actively now, so it only makes sense that we would take a few simple steps to do that with our estate. It was just so easy to make a brief addition to our will… and we directed our charitable gifts to be managed through the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. Now we know…
While The Spencer Companies was sold in 2021, their charitable legacy of this business lives on. In a time when environmental preservation is more crucial than ever, the Spencer Companies Charitable Fund has stepped forward to support the Land Trust of North Alabama in their efforts to protect and conserve the natural beauty of Huntsville…
The world lost a passionate advocate for educational equity and justice on January 26, 2021, when Dr. Andrew Howard Nichols passed away. Born on July 5, 1981, in Huntsville, Alabama, Andrew dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and opportunities of low-income and first-generation college students. To honor his remarkable legacy, his parents, Bob…
In the realm of philanthropy, the power of community foundations cannot be overstated. These organizations serve as catalysts for positive change, connecting passionate individuals with impactful causes in their local communities. The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville stands as a testament to this spirit, thanks to the visionary efforts of Joe and Pam Alexander, who…
In 2004, my family moved to Alabama from Arizona. While we lived in Arizona, we enjoyed traveling all around the state to enjoy some of our country’s most unique natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, and the Saguaro National Park. By recent count, my husband and I have been to the…
“My earliest memories of giving are from the pink offering envelopes that were ready to go every Sunday morning that I went to church with my dad. He never did anything with a huge flourish, always quietly, but I remember those envelopes being filled out before we left the house. He was very intentional about…
Avion Solutions – which was founded by Gary Donald and his partners over 30 years ago – has always had a corporate culture of generosity. Gary made it a priority to create a family-like, collaborative workplace; one where employees genuinely cared for and took care of one another. That spirit of generosity and collaboration naturally…
Hope does not stand on its own. Hope needs hands, hearts, minds, and funds. Hope needs all of that to grow legs in order to come alive. I want to see – and not just read about – what we are doing in the community. It is easier to help when you understand the needs, because…
“The love affair between people and their places is one of the strongest bonds that can exist,” writes Peter Kageyama, in his book For the Love of Cities. Here are three reasons why we all want a community that feels like home. It’s rarely just the big landmarks that cause someone to fall in love…
Nearly two hundred years ago, Alexis de Tocqueville recognized that one key distinctive of the United States of America was the willingness of its citizens to voluntarily come together to support one another. Today, we recognize this concept as “philanthropy,” which means literally “love of humanity,” or generosity in more modern terminology. In its simplest…
At the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, we believe that generosity has the power to change lives, change our community, and even change the future. That’s why our mission is to mobilize generosity to improve quality of life in our community. The Oxford English Dictionary defines mobilize as a verb meaning to bring (resources) into…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is pleased to announce the addition of Cheri Wilson as Development Officer. Wilson’s appointment follows a banner year as the organization received over $14.7 million in charitable donations and granted over $11 million on behalf of their donors and programs. Wilson shares, “I am thrilled and…
Our community is full of people and companies who enjoy giving back to the community we love. In the same way that we work with donors to accomplish their charitable giving objectives, we also work with companies to further their philanthropic goals. This collective effort is how we can improve our community’s quality of life.…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Compass Society, the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s first Now and Later Fund, awarded two nonprofits serving the Greater Huntsville area a combined total of $107,165.02 for initiatives that were high-impact, collaborative, and spanned multiple areas of the Quality of Life framework. Created to “Map the Future” the Compass Society brings…
Your will has more power than you can imagine, and utilizing it for charitable giving is often easier than you may think. Sharon Doviet and Chris Russell share their motivation for creating a lasting impact on their community: “We give actively now, so it only makes sense that we would take a few simple steps…
At the Community Foundation, we help donors be generous, however that looks for them. As you begin your own generosity journey, it is important to reflect on what makes your generosity unique. Here are twelve questions to help you understand your generosity personality: As you answer these questions, you will begin to capture the character…
“Looking back on it, the clues were always there we just didn’t realize it. The twins hated doing homework, hated reading out loud to us, and when they wrote letters and numbers, they were always backwards. But each year, the teachers told us, “Don’t worry! Kids grow out of that.” And, as parents, we just always…
Guest Blog by Anya Harden, Philanthropy Intern As a Gen Z college student it often feels like I have all the time in the world. Classes, semesters, and club meetings all seem to last forever and with childhood in such recent memory, the pragmatic approach of planning for retirement and life post-career seems nonsensical, especially…
The reality is that anyone – no matter their income level – can make a planned gift. In fact, most planned gifts are made by donors of moderate means. You’ve been generous throughout your lifetime. By being intentional, you can continue that legacy of generosity after you are gone. If you are updating your full…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Huntsville’s nonprofit community launches WillPower, an educational campaign to boost awareness of charitable estate planning. While 63% of Americans make charitable donations during their lifetimes, only 8% of Americans include a gift to charity in their estate plans. WillPower is a collaborative effort to build brighter futures by encouraging local donors to…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Women’s Philanthropy Society of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to partner with First Stop’s “S.A.F.E. Program for Homeless Women” with a $50,000 grant, and to support the National Children’s Advocacy Center’s “Handle with Care” project with a $50,000 for a total grant distribution of $100,000. The Women’s Philanthropy…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville hosted a Community Philanthropy Award Reception on Monday, September 12, 2022 on the terrace of Redstone Federal Credit Union at Twickenham Square to honor the previous recipients of the Community Philanthropy Awards, and to announce this year’s award recipients. The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s Community…
GUEST BLOG BY ANYA HARDEN, PHILANTHROPY INTERN As a child, my family made an annual pilgrimage from southern Mississippi to Huntsville, Alabama to attend camp meetings on the campus of Oakwood University, the institution that I now attend. During stretches of time in which the meeting failed to keep my siblings and I occupied, my…
At the Community Foundation, we believe that our community is strongest when we work together to solve our most pressing problems. Here are three ways why a connected community produces impact. The Community Foundation strives to be the trusted leader in strategic generosity, which is focused and collaborative by its very nature. We believe that…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is thrilled to announce the 2022 Racial Equity Fund grants totaling $90,000. The twelve award recipients are addressing racial equity gaps to improve quality of life for all who live in the Greater Huntsville community. With a generous lead investment by Meta, donors came together to…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville CEO and President Melissa Thompson recently received the prestigious recognition of Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® designation by The American College of Financial Services. The Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation is a certification ensuring that its recipients share a common body of knowledge to collaborate effectively…
We help donors be generous, however that looks to them Donors don’t come in just one shape or size, and so it’s no surprise that there isn’t one cookie-cutter generosity plan that works for all donors. At the Community Foundation, we help donors be generous, however that looks to them. We take a personalized view…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama (BGCNAL) announce a new partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville (CFGH) to launch an endowed scholarship fund of $650,000 to support the higher education dreams of local students. The Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe, fun, and challenging environment where kids learn to…
Remember that candy you may have loved as a child, those Now and Later taffies? My favorite flavor was green apple. The yellow banana flavored taffy . . . not so much. By its very name, I knew I could pop a Now and Later in my mouth and enjoy it right away, but I…
Our community’s nonprofit organizations are on the front lines serving our community each and every day. The work of over 1,500 nonprofit organizations in the Greater Huntsville area is a substantial factor in the quality of life we enjoy here, which is part of the reason Huntsville was recently named as the #1 best place to…
When like-minded people come together to invest in their community, great things can happen. Here are seven reasons why collective giving increases generosity in a community. Collective giving is indeed good for our community. It’s a simple but very practical way that we can work together to do more than any one individual, one company,…
When people think of legacy planning, often they initially think in terms of money and other assets that they will pass along to their children and grandchildren. However, when families reflect on what is most important to them, it’s typically not about the money. It’s about values. It’s about priorities. It’s about relationships. It’s about…
AAMU Carnagie Libary: History of Philanthropy Guest blog by Asia Thurmon, Philanthropy Intern Part of building equity and tearing down divides is to share history that elevates the attitudes of the majority population about worthy endeavors of the minority population, and how mobilizing generosity from the former can improve quality of life for the latter.…
Generosity is an investment in the future you want to see At the Community Foundation, we believe that generosity is simply an investment in the future you want to see. When you make a charitable donation, you are making a statement about the kind of world you want to live in and the changes you…
At our core, I believe that most of us want the same things. We all want to be able to provide for ourselves and our families. We want to live in safe neighborhoods. We want a place to belong. We want to do work that makes a difference. We want to build a better future…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announces today that Meta (formerly the Facebook company) is investing $20,000 in the Racial Equity Fund, which strategically addresses equity gaps that affect quality of life. With this generous donation, Meta is named the 2022 lead donor of the Racial Equity Fund for the second year…
Huntsville is a data-driven town . . . always has been and always will be. Therefore, it’s no surprise that donors in our area are interested in how data can help maximize their charitable giving. Here are five ways that savvy donors can use data to inform their philanthropy: If you want to understand our…
Seven Reasons Why DAFS Are Good For Nonprofits There is a lot of conversation about donor advised funds and whether they are “good” for society in general and the nonprofit sector more specifically. Here are seven reasons why donor advised funds are good for both donors and for the nonprofit community they support: Donor advised…
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means the season of giving is upon us. As you make plans for your 2021 charitable donations, here are three smart generosity strategies to discuss with your professional advisor. First, many of your favorite organizations may offer a matching gift challenge this time of the year. This is…
Although it’s had its ups and downs, the stock market is trading at record highs. That means many donors may have significant appreciated assets in their portfolio. If you are charitably inclined, this is a perfect opportunity to share the love . . . and your good fortune . . . with your favorite nonprofit…
by Melissa Thompson, CEO/President of Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville The love affair between people and their places is one of the strongest bonds that can exist. Peter Kageyama’s book For the Love of Cities explores this connection and why it matters. Here are five lessons I learned from reading this insightful book: People want…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is thrilled to announce the 2021 Racial Equity Fund grants totaling $71,460. The eleven award recipients are addressing racial equity gaps to improve quality of life for all who live in the Greater Huntsville community. Launched in June of 2020, the Racial Equity Fund received support…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announces today that Facebook is investing $20,000 in the Racial Equity Fund, becoming its first Sustaining Donor of 2021. Sustaining Donors are individuals, families, or companies that commit to donating $5,000 or more to the Racial Equity Fund, which strategically addresses equity gaps that affect quality…
A legacy of sharing is one of our multi-generational family goals. One way we live out our legacy of sharing is an annual family experience when each grandchild is given the opportunity to choose a non-profit or ministry about which he or she cares deeply and/or volunteers. Each grandchild writes a letter to the organization,…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, December 11, 2020 – Investor’s Resource, a Madison wealth management firm, is pleased to announce the establishment of the Investor’s Resource Gratitude Fund with an initial grant of $200,000 to the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. This fund will support non-profit projects within Alabama on an annual basis through a donor advised fund.…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, September 10, 2020 – The eleventh annual Summit on Philanthropy held on Thursday September 10th through a virtual gala experience to celebrate and inspire local generosity, including honoring two recipients with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s Community Philanthropy Awards. These awards are presented annually to honor families and companies who exemplify the…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, November 18, 2020 –The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, in partnership with The Schools Foundation and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, established the Remote Learning Supervision Fund to support K-12 public school students from the Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County School Districts in need of supervision to support remote learning…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, November 18, 2020 – The Women’s Philanthropy Society of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to partner with Partnership for a Drug-Free Community to support their Recovery Resource Hub which aims to reduce the number of overdoses and deaths in our community through treatment, prevention, and education outreach. Our community has…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville shared today that funds raised by individual, family, and corporate donors across the greater Huntsville community for the newly launched Racial Equity Fund total $373,135 in gifts and pledges. The fund launched on June 15, 2020 as a legacy fund that will support both current year…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to announce grants from the third round of funding from the Google Fiber Digital Inclusion Fund. The Digital Inclusion Fund is designed to catalyze programs to make internet access and digital education available to residents currently without access to those resources. “The current COVID…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announced today the launch of the Racial Equity Fund to provide discretionary grants for nonprofit organizations who are on the front lines addressing the issue of racism and inequity in our community. The Community Foundation believes we live in a great community and also believes that…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announced today that NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference (formerly NPUHuntsville Conference) will respond to current public health and nonprofit/small business budgetary concerns by shifting this year’s conference to a virtual event offered at no cost for all regional nonprofit organizations. The name NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference was…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to share the results of the collaborative efforts of our incredibly generous community. When the COVID crisis hit in March, the Community Foundation reactivated the Emergency Relief Fund, originally created following the tornado outbreak of April 27, 2011, to accept donations for COVID-19 relief…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to announce that, through the generosity of many local donors, fourteen nonprofit organizations serving the Greater Huntsville area will be able to provide basic needs and health and wellness resources for our community. In times of crisis, as always, the Community Foundation remains committed to…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announced today that NPUHuntsville Conference is now NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference. Ann Kvach, Program Officer of the Community Foundation, states, “NPUHuntsville has a rich history of serving the nonprofit organizations that serve our region, with over 500 participants registered for last year’s conference. We are working…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announced today it will be proactively implementing measures to protect the health of its board, committee, and team members, as well as supporting relief efforts for the growing public health crisis affecting our community. Melissa Thompson, CEO and President of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville hosted a Giving Tuesday press event December 3, 2019 at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber to celebrate local philanthropy because we believe that together we can accomplish more than any one individual, company, or organization can accomplish alone. Giving Tuesday is…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Huntsville Championship and Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) have announced a new partnership for the Foundation’s annual Huntsville Classic event. The Huntsville Championship, one of four new 2020 Korn Ferry Tour stops, will now provide a week of professional golf instead of the Foundation’s Classic Golf Tournament, usually played Mother’s Day Weekend.…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announce that the Crestwood Women & Families Fund grant application is now available for nonprofit organizations seeking funding. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for high-impact grants to address the issues and meet…
Click the linked videos below for three giving strategies shared by CEO/President Melissa Thompson that maybe helpful for year-end planning. The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is a smart place to give.We believe that together we can accomplish more than any one individual, company, or organization can alone. The Community Foundation connects philanthropists with the…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, September 10, 2019 – The tenth annual Summit on Philanthropy held on Tuesday September 10th at The Westin Huntsville celebrated and inspired local generosity, including honoring six recipients with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s Community Philanthropy Awards. These awards are presented annually to honor individuals, families, and companies who exemplify the spirit of generosity…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, August 28, 2019 – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Thompson as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Community Foundation. Thompson has most recently served as the Community Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), responsible for the Foundation’s community operations and leading strategies to achieve…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, August 27, 2019 – The Women’s Philanthropy Society of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to partner with WellStone Behavioral Health to launch Connections Matter, which strengthens children and families with a history of trauma. The program demonstrates how caring interactions develop healthy brains to allow individuals to cope, heal, and thrive. This…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, August 14, 2019 – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville believes that when we invest in our nonprofit community, that investment can reap huge dividends. This core belief guided us them to create the Digital Inclusion Fund with sponsorship funding from Google Fiber. The fund launched last year to catalyze digital inclusion efforts in the…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, August 5, 2019 – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Thompson as interim Chief Executive Officer and President of the Community Foundation effective immediately. Thompson joined the Community Foundation in 2011, most recently serving as the Chief Operating Officer. Chris Russell, Chair of the…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville believes that when we invest in our nonprofit community, that investment can reap huge dividends. Therefore, the Community Foundation is proud to announce that the following nonprofit organizations serving the Greater Huntsville area have been selected to receive grant funding – made possible by generous members of…
By Wayne Olson What would it be like to live every day knowing you are a hero? Not just one day or a day every once in a while, but every day? What if you could live every day knowing that no matter what happened, you will have done something good? It’s easier than you think. You…
By Wayne Olson When people think about fundraising, they often turn to events such as balls, galas, walks or runs. While these get ample attention, they are not the primary source of much-needed funding for most nonprofits. The best, and by far the most productive support for churches and charities comes from planned giving. When…
The Community Foundation announced the Give 2 Network – a community-wide initiative to encourage collective business philanthropy – at the official ribbon-cutting for The Poppy, a new British Pub opening on North Side square in downtown Huntsville. The Give 2 concept was developed in collaboration with The Poppy’s owners who wish to strategically give back…
The Women’s Philanthropy Society of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is pleased to announce the availability of grant funding for projects or programs supporting mental health for women and families in the Greater Huntsville area. The Women’s Philanthropy Society – established for women by women – is Huntsville’s first permanent grantmaking endowment that seeks to…
The Community Foundation will grant funds from the Catalyst Endowment to support the Singing River Trail project. This iniative meets several of key objectives for Catalyst funded projects including: It qualifies as highly-collaborative venture involving public/private partnerships with multiple investors and contributors. It is a high-impact, regional program that will affect and connect many different…
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The Web.com Tour and Knight Eady announced today a new tournament set to debut on the annual schedule in 2020. The Huntsville Championship, which will be contested at The Ledges in Huntsville, Alabama, will debut the week of April 20-26, with 156 players competing for a $600,000 purse. A five-year partnership is in…
[HUNTSVILLE, AL] – Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can – that’s the mission for Be The Good, Canvas’ brand new employee giving fund launched in early 2019. “We have always had a sense of responsibly to give back to our communities. It’s what Canvas…
The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville has awarded three grants to local nonprofit organizations for programs relating to environmental conservation. The funding for these grants is made possible by the Ruth and Lyle Taylor Fund, an endowed fund created by a bequest from the Taylor family. “We are proud to be able to make these…
November 29, 2018 (Huntsville) – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville are happy to announce that six local nonprofit organizations in the Huntsville area will receive grants distributed from the Crestwood Women & Families Fund in 2018. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making…
The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is pleased to announce the availability of grant funding for environmental conservation in Madison County, Alabama. This grant is made possible by a generous endowment established by Lyle and Ruth Taylor. The Community Foundation estimates that approximately $8,000 will be available for grants in the 2019 cycle. The exact…
Following the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, many taxpayers are enjoying a lower federal tax bill for 2018, but may face a reduced tax benefit from their charitable giving. This is due to several factors including lower marginal tax rates and an increased standard deduction of $24,000 for a married couple filing jointly. For…
Huntsville, AL – The ninth annual Summit on Philanthropy on Wednesday Sept. 19 at the Jackson Center in Research Park celebrated and inspired local generosity, including honoring two recipients with the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville’s Community Philanthropy Awards. This year, Bob and Phylis Baron received the award in the individual/family category to thank them…
Huntsville, AL – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announce that the Crestwood Women & Families Fund grant application is now available for nonprofit organizations seeking funding.The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for high-impact grants to address the issues and meet immediate…
The Women’s Philanthropy Society of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is proud to announce its inaugural grant to the ELM Foundation for its Community Connections program to provide comprehensive case management support for homeless women and families in our community. The Women’s Philanthropy Society – established for women by women – seeks to make…
Huntsville, AL – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is awarding grants to nine agencies in Huntsville to support and enhance digital access for underserved residents. The awards will be presented at a celebration on July 24th at Yellowhammer’s Lost Highway Bierhall at Campus805. The Digital Inclusion Fund was created at the Community Foundation with…
Huntsville, AL – Three local high school seniors were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship at the First Annual Vector Wealth Strategies Community Scholars Fund Awards Dinner on Tuesday, May 1 at The Ledges in Huntsville. This year’s scholarship recipients are Meenu Bhooshanan, Isiah Franklin and Jonathan Marcus. “The 16 applicants were all so strong and…
Tax Reform: What You Need to Know Huntsville, AL – On May 2, 2018, Jared Sharp, CPA, Service Area Leader of Warren Averett’s Huntsville Office Tax Division, presented, “Tax Reform: What You Need to Know.” This event was sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville as part of the quarterly Philanthropic Advisors Network meetings.…
Huntsville, AL – The North Alabama Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) pilot program that works to reverse summer learning loss debuted May 2017 as a collective impact project made possible by the financial support of community funders. On average, low-income students lose two to three months in reading aptitude and two months of math skills…
Bridging the Generation Gap: Using Philanthropy to Create Successful Families Huntsville, AL – On March 8, 2018, Jessica Hovis Smith, Vice President and Director of Financial Planning at Longview Financial Advisors, Inc., presented “Bridging the Generation Gap: Using Philanthropy to Create Successful Families.” This event was sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville to…
Huntsville, Alabama, March 2018 – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville has launched a new fund to support digital inclusion efforts in the City of Huntsville. With seed funding provided by Google Fiber, the fund will be used to make grants supporting high-impact programs that will make internet access and digital education available to those currently…
Huntsville, AL – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville has earned the Platinum GuideStar Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. By sharing metrics that highlight progress the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville is making toward its mission, the organization is helping…
Huntsville, AL – Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere. “Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, Chair of the Community Foundations National Standards Board.…
Huntsville, AL – The North Alabama Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) pilot program that works to reverse summer learning loss debuted May 2017 as a collective impact project made possible by the financial support of community funders. On average, low-income students lose two to three months in reading aptitude and two months of math skills…
Huntsville, ALABAMA, February 13, 2018— Vector Wealth Strategies, a financial planning firm, created the Community Impact Fund in 2015 to help serve the Huntsville community through grants for local nonprofits. AGAPE of North Alabama, First Stop and The Riley Behavioral & Educational Center each received a $4,000 grant from the Community Impact Fund last October. “AGAPE…
Huntsville, AL – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County are happy to announce that seven local nonprofit organizations in the Huntsville area will receive grants distributed from the Crestwood Women & Families Fund in 2017. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for…
Huntsville, AL – Two years ago the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville created the Philanthropic Advisors Network (PAN) in order to grow generosity in our region by inspiring and supporting professional advisors to help clients create charitable giving plans that strengthen their families and communities. PAN members are advisors who are interested in expanding their…
Supporting organizations that impact and enrich Huntsville and Madison County gives donors a better sense of community. The Community Foundation helps each of us reach our philanthropic goals by connecting us with the many impactful organizations like FOR (Friends of Rescue), the Boys and Girls Club and the Community Catalyst Fund. Giving legacies come in…
There is a great sense of fulfillment that comes with knowing that when I had a chance to make a difference, I took that step. My philanthropic goals are centered on improving quality of life in our community and thus helping the families and companies that support Redstone Arsenal. The Community Foundation helped me to…
My siblings and I are proof of what education can do to propel a family forward. My learning experience shaped me and made education my lifelong passion. The Community Foundation allowed my husband Jack and me to quickly convert a property donation into a fund that allowed us to address both our personal financial and…
The Huntsville area provides a great quality of life, particularly for those dedicated to the arts and education. My husband John and I wanted to provide support in these areas through a planned gift through the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville. The Community Foundation administers the process for nonprofit organizations to submit proposals for specific…
Our community is fortunate to have many great organizations that improve quality of life for today and for future generations. Before we created our donor advised fund with the Community Foundation, we donated to many nonprofits. Partnering with the Community Foundation helped us think more strategically about our philanthropic activities. In 2011 when Dynetics converted…
It is our moral and social responsibility to be active participants and supporters of our community. The Huntsville community has been great to my family and we are committed to giving back to others in need. We want to support Huntsville’s legacy as a community committed to education, science, exploration, research, discovery, arts, music and…
My inspiration for ‘giving back’ to the community comes from the many needs I see every day in and around the Greater Huntsville area. Seeing these needs in our community confirms my belief that each one of us is called to serve and to use our talents and resources for the benefit of others –…
A legacy of sharing is one of our multi-generational family goals. It began with Patty’s mother, a pioneer in public school financial management education. It’s rooted in our family’s agrarian cultural values that encourage going beyond tithing and sharing one’s home and harvest with others in need. When we married, the lifestyle of sharing naturally…
This year for the first time, the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville created a crowdfunding initiative to raise support for five nonprofit collective impact projects serving Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County. Our community embraced the #SummitGivesBack campaign and raised over $125,000 for these projects – $59,000 of which was raised in one day at the…
Huntsville, AL – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville announce that the Crestwood Women & Families Fund grant application is now available for nonprofit organizations seeking funding. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for high-impact grants to address the issues and meet…
This week marks a new chapter for the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County as it transitions to a different name and new brand to better reflect its expanded reach to serve the Greater Huntsville area. The eight-year-old foundation is now known as the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, which CEO/President Stuart Obermann believes will position…
HUNTSVILLE, AL – (April 4, 2017) Five Stones Research Corporation put their values into action today when the culmination of their Stepping Stones Corporate Charity Program proved successful. During a joint presentation with the Community Foundation at the Chamber of Commerce, the organization’s employees partnered with them to give aid to eight charities. The first…
The Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County and The Schools Foundation are excited to bring a key initiative to Madison County, Alabama this summer. Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) is a collective impact project that works to reverse summer learning loss, which is a significant reality, especially for low-income students. SAIL organizers and partners held a…
Tim Belber shares “The Four Philanthropic Conversations You Should Be Having With Your Clients” Thursday, March 9, 2017 from 8:30 – 11:00AM in the Toyota Room at Chamber of Commerce Huntsville/Madison County. Tim Belber is the founder of the Alchemia Group and author of The Middle Way: Using Balance To Create Successful Generational Family Wealth…
Huntsville, AL (August 29, 2016) – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County announce that the Crestwood Women & Families Fund grant application is now available for nonprofit organizations seeking funding. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for high-impact grants to address the…
The Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County held the inaugural meeting of the Corporate Giving Network (CGN) today, which was hosted by Redstone Federal Credit Union. The meeting was attended by 15 corporate giving and/or community relations officers from 12 local companies, including: ADTRAN, Inc., A-P-T Research, Inc., Crestwood Medical Center, Intrepid, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Modern…
Huntsville, AL, February 5, 2016 – The Schools Foundation (TSF) is excited to announce the establishment of The Schools Foundation Endowment Fund with $200,000 committed to date. This fund, held at the Community Foundation of Huntsville Madison County, will be a permanent source of capital that will provide financial support for the Huntsville City, Madison…
Huntsville, Alabama – On December 18, Congress passed the PATH Act, which renews and makes permanent the IRA charitable rollover provision of 2006, making it easier for Americans to give to causes they care about. This provision has the power to help local charities strengthen their communities by allowing individuals to roll over up to…
HUNTSVILLE, AL – JANUARY 2016 – In August of 2015, The CornerStone Initiative and The Huntsville Inner City Learning Center were each selected to receive a $5,000 grant, the first of many, during the inaugural round of grants from the Vector Wealth Strategies Community Impact Fund, a donor advised fund set up by Vector Wealth…
Huntsville, AL – The CAP & GOWN Project is a program started by J. O. Johnson High School teacher and wrestling coach Chris Scribner and his colleagues Emily Heller and Katharine Martin as a way to improve college matriculation rates and encourage students to consider continuing their education after high school graduation. CAP & GOWN…
As 2015 comes to a close, you may be searching for a tax-advantaged way to support worthy causes within our community. Because gifts made through the Community Foundation can be tailored to address both your financial situation and your charitable goals, we can offer a wide range of solutions for year-end giving. It is surprisingly…
Huntsville, AL – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County are happy to announce that eight local nonprofit organizations in the Huntsville area will receive grants distributed from the Crestwood Women & Families Fund in 2015. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for…
Huntsville, AL (August 27, 2015) – Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County announce that the Crestwood Women & Families Fund grant application is now available for nonprofit organizations seeking funding. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for high-impact grants to address the…
HUNTSVILLE, AL (June 25, 2015) — The Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County, in partnership with DealNews, announces the creation of the DealNews Disaster Relief Fund, the Community Foundation’s component fund that will manage and provide charitable contributions to help support domestic and international disaster-relief efforts. “We are delighted to help DealNews continue their tradition of…
On November 19, 2014, A-P-T Research, Inc. (“APT”) completed a transaction by which they became a 100% employee-owned company through their Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This ESOP transaction created significant capital gains for many of the participating shareholders. Working with the Community Foundation, employees were given the option to donate appreciated shares with low-cost…
CFD Research Corporation (CFDRC), located in Cummings Research Park, is making a major investment in the community through two new gifts. CFDRC is contributing $100,000 to the Community Catalyst Fund at the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County. The Community Catalyst Fund is a new endowed fund that will provide a perpetual source of grants for…
Crestwood Medical Center and the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County recently held a Founding Supporters Celebration and announced the organizations who received grants from its first distribution from the Crestwood Women & Families Fund. The mission of the Crestwood Women & Families Fund is to establish a grant-making fund for high-impact grants to address the…
The Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County and Torch Technologies today announced the creation of a new endowed fund which will provide a perpetual source of grants for improving quality of life in Huntsville and Madison County. The new fund, called the Community Catalyst Fund, is an endowment to be funded by unrestricted gifts which will…
The Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County was recently selected to manage the Huntsville Botanical Garden Legacy Fund. This new fund will be used to invest a portion of the proceeds of the capital campaign for the new Welcome Center and facilities expansion project that is currently underway. Paula Steigerwald, CEO of the Huntsville Botanical…
The ALATEC Corporate Care Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Huntsville/Madison County, is a special charitable fund which allows employees of ALATEC to apply for grants during periods of extreme financial hardship brought on by natural disaster, death, serious or life-threatening illness or injury, or other crisis. This new fund allows tax-deductible donations to…
