While Alpha does consider grant requests from organizations outside the Madison County, Alabama area, our primary geographic focus remains within Madison County.

The Alpha Foundation is dedicated to improving the human condition and supports a wide variety of projects. When reviewing applications, we look for organizations whose work has meaningful reach and the potential to make a broader impact.

Requests for major capital projects and endowments, as well as support for administrative, program, or operating needs, are all eligible for consideration.

While we support a wide range of projects, some types of requests do not align with our current granting strategy. These include:

• Grants to individuals

• Sponsorships for fundraising events or performances

• Tickets to charitable events or fundraising dinners

• Conferences or seminars

• Legislative, lobbying, or other political purposes

• Retiring accumulated debt

In most cases, the Foundation does not approve multi-year grant commitments.

There is no set maximum, but we encourage requests to reflect a reasonable estimate of what your organization truly needs. Our goal is to support a wide variety of organizations and projects. Please note that the final award amount may be different from the amount requested, based on the committee’s review.

Yes, the Foundation often provides partial funding. This allows us to support a wide range of projects and organizations, helping as many initiatives as possible make an impact.

A great proposal shares both the numbers and the stories, showing the real impact your organization has and the people you serve. Make sure to follow the instructions and include all the requested information. Before submitting, take a moment to proofread, and it can really help to have someone who isn’t close to your work read it too, as they can catch any terms or abbreviations that might be confusing.

You will received an email notification from mowens@alphafoundationhsv.org when your application is submitted.

The contact person listed on the grant will receive an email once a grant has been approved or denied for funding. If approved, that email will include follow-up steps that must be done before a payment can be issued.

Yes. Organizations are welcome to apply in future grant cycles.

Yes, organizations are welcome to request a site visit. We value the opportunity to connect with organizations and learn more about their work, and site visits are one way we build understanding and gain insight as part of our grantmaking process.

A site visit is simply an in-person conversation between your organization and the Foundation, usually held at your organization or at the project site. It can include members of your leadership team or your development staff to meet with a staff member from the Foundation. Site visits generally last about an hour and are very informal. The goal is to learn more about your organization and the work you do, and no advance preparation is needed.

As part of our grantmaking process, we enjoy connecting with organizations through site visits whenever we can. The timing and volume of requests vary throughout the year, so site visits may take place at different points in the process, including after grant awards are made. Each visit helps us deepen our understanding of the organization and its work.

While the Alpha Foundation has an established history with many organizations, each request is reviewed as part of a new grant cycle each year. Funding decisions are guided by how closely the grant request aligns with our current priorities and values, as well as the funds available at the time.

Yes, we welcome the opportunity to connect! If you would like to speak with someone before applying, please feel free to reach out to Meagan Owens at mowens@alphafoundationhsv.org. We are always glad to learn more about your work and answer questions.