|
Check out the changing scenes above , all examples of how we are already transforming our community. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary of service to greater Birmingham, we want to do more -- with your help and a new tool called the Community Catalyst Fund.
Since 1959, our community of donors has used their gifts to the Community Foundation to create positive change. Our first major unrestricted gift came in 1967 and led to the school lunch program that still benefits children throughout Jefferson County. In 1982, we used grants from our unrestricted Community Funds to establish the Food Bank in partnership with United Way.
In more recent years, these flexible dollars have made it possible for us to serve as a catalyst and convenor for the creation of Region 2020, the Nonprofit Resource Center of Alabama, the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham, the Housing Enterprise of Central Alabama and so many more outstanding organizations. We've also used grants from Community Funds to lead public-private partnerships such as McWane Center, Innovation Depot and the Shelby Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Center at UAB.
Today, Community Catalyst Funds provide another tool for donors who want to make sure that their gifts are targeted on high-impact initiatives and projects that have the power to transform this community.
We will continue to meet the community's most pressing needs and take advantages of opportunities through our Community Fund grantmaking. But you have told us you want us to do more, to be proactive with high-impact, catalytic initiatives. Community Catalyst Funds will provide the resources we need today and for generations to come.
We plan to follow the model that worked so well in launching three new and enhanced parks, bringing people together to make transformation happen. We need to do more and we can do more, together, through gifts of all sizes to support the Community Catalyst Fund.
Join us as we start to celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2009 by creating a new resource targeted at transformational change. We want to create at least 50 new Community Catalyst Funds to mark our 50 years, and to provide the resources to help our community realize its dreams for a brighter future.
We know first hand the promise of greater Birmingham.
We know the potential of philanthropy to make a difference, because we've been part of so many successful efforts in the past.
And we know the power of transformation to light a spark of renewal for an entire community.
Our Community Catalyst Fund provides an answer for donors who are hungry to be part of this kind of change. No matter the size of your gift, we want your support and we want your feedback about what really matters in this community.
Make an on-line gift today or contact Erin Stephenson at 327-3805 to find out more about minimums to establish a named grantmaking fund.
a brighter future for greater Birmingham.
where we can go if we all work together.
the impact of collective giving through the Community Catalyst Fund..
We want your support as well as your ideas. Togeher we know we can make it happen. | 
