Grant Policies

At Alpha Foundation, grant decisions are made by our Board of Directors following a careful review of each application. We receive a high volume of requests each cycle and are committed to stewarding our resources thoughtfully to support meaningful, lasting impact.

We prioritize organizations that address clearly defined challenges with practical, well-considered solutions and demonstrate measurable outcomes. While immediate relief can be important, we are especially drawn to efforts that promote long-term stability, opportunity, and independence. Our primary focus is Madison County, and we seek to partner with organizations that strengthen our local community while demonstrating integrity, strong leadership, and responsible stewardship.

In addition to alignment with our mission and priorities, we consider the following in our grantmaking decisions:

• Strong leadership and governance, with engaged staff and board members

• A track record of sustainable operations and financial stability

• Demonstrated program effectiveness and measurable impact

• A commitment to collaboration with other nonprofits and community partners

• A broad and diverse base of financial support

• A minimum of two years of established nonprofit status

FUNDING GUIDELINES

To apply for an Alpha Foundation grant, an organization must be a tax exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Code in order to be eligible.

Grant requests may be submitted for a range of needs, including:

• Program support that delivers measurable impact and advances the organization’s core mission

• Operating support that strengthens the overall effectiveness and sustainability of the organization

• Strategic administrative support that enhances leadership, capacity, and responsible stewardship

• Capital projects that directly support programmatic impact and long-term community benefit

• Endowments that contribute to long-term stability and sustained mission effectiveness

We encourage organizations to request an amount that reasonably reflects their needs and the scope of the proposed work. To allow us to support a wide variety of organizations and projects, grants are generally awarded for a single year, and final award amounts may vary based on the committee’s review.

Although Alpha will consider grant requests from organizations outside the Madison County, Alabama area, our priority is the Madison County area.

If an organization is selected for funding, Alpha Foundation will request a signed statement from the chief executive officer, chair of the board, or another authorized representative confirming that the organization qualifies as a public charity before funds are disbursed. 

While we support a wide range of initiatives, there are some areas where the Foundation does not make awards. These include:

• Individuals requesting direct financial assistance

• Conferences, seminars, or sponsorship of special events, charitable events, or performances

• Political campaigns, lobbying activities, or partisan political organizations

• Organizations that lack financial transparency or responsible governance

• Projects or Capital Campaigns without clearly defined goals, measurable outcomes, or clear programmatic impact

• Retiring accumulated debt, including paying down existing financial obligations or covering deficits from prior operations