DONORS IN ACTION

Donor stories
Robinson uses insurance as catalyst for change

abstract_10031014.jpg  more ...


Brown memory lives on

abstract_131796.jpg When E.T. Brown Jr. wanted to create a way for his children to continue a family tradition of giving, he set aside IRA assets to establish the E.T. Brown Jr. Family Fund after his death.   more ...


Luckie home benefits charity

abstract_10015015.jpg Bob Luckie Jr. deeded a remainder interest in his home to the Community Foundation, providing a way for his family to give back to the community forever.  more ...


Making memorial gifts do even more

abstract_10026300.jpg Gifts in remembrance of friends and family who care about the community can extend their philanthropic legacy.  more ...


Brice builds for good forever

abstract_116730.jpg For good forever
Houston Brice Jr. remembered the Community Foundation in his will by establishing a Community Fund to support unrestricted grantmaking. Through the fund that bears his name, he will be remembered forever with every grant to meet the most pressing needs of the community.  more ...


Giving Together program expands donor knowledge

Elna Brendel cares about supporting organizations that focus on meeting basic human needs. The Giving Together program helps her learn more about little-known agencies that share that mission.  more ...


Ramsay grads give back

2008winners

Christopher Brown and Vinetra King have been named the first winners of the Award for Excellence Scholarships, awarded through a grantmaking fund of the Community Foundation established by Ramsay alums Tom and Julia Crawford.

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Professional advisor's perspective

abstract_10004202.jpg CPA Wray Pearce knows first-hand the benefits of using an Advised Fund for his charitable giving.  more ...


Wealthy givers want advice

A recent survey suggests that many affluent individuals want their professional advisors to provide more advice about philanthropic possibilities.  more ...


Anonymous giving

Donors who value their privacy or who want to avoid numerous requests can maintain limited or full anonymity through the Community Foundation.  more ...


IRA gift supports fund celebrate the arts

abstract_122783.jpg Martha Moore Sykes made a difference for the arts community she loves, by setting up the Martha Moore Sykes Fund for the Arts with an IRA gift. Grants from this component fund of the Community Foundation benefit organizations that are promoting arts and culture at the grassroots level and working to provide access to the arts to all members of the community.  more ...


ACIPCO employees share gift of college education

abstract_116981.gif The legacy of John J. Eagan is still strong at American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO), where The Community Foundation helps employees help one another through a company-sponsored scholarship fund.  

“In founding the company almost 100 years ago, Eagan expressed his belief that the Golden Rule was the best philosophy to follow in running this business,” said Van Richey, president and chief executive officer of ACIPCO.  “That means treating people the way you want to be treated.  The ACIPCO /Eagan Scholarship Fund allows us to honor John and Susan Eagan by helping our employees to do just that.”  more ...


Elderly sisters gain current income, support causes they care about

abstract_116976.gif Attorney Greg Hyde has no crystal ball in his law office, but he does spend a lot of time looking into the future on behalf of his charitably-minded clients.

"Everyone has different charitable interests and different needs in their estate planning, whether it's a guaranteed income stream for retirement or tax savings to balance the gains in an estate," says Hyde.  more ...


Engineer supports future with scholarships

abstract_116942.gif When Willie Grant decided to become an engineer, back in the 1950s, it wasn’t a common or easy choice for a black youth.  Today, he looks back on a successful career with gratitude for the doors that were opened to him in order to make that career possible.

Yet the need still exists to encourage young African-Americans interested in the sciences, in areas such as engineering and medicine.  With the Seeds of Love Scholarship Fund, Grant is giving a boost to the next generation, especially in the South.  more ...


Spirit of "Never Give Up" guides family giving

abstract_116972.gif Two years before he died, then-81-year-old Al Robertshaw bought a wrist-strengthening machine to build up his wrists for bicycle-riding.

When son Tom Robertshaw found the evidence of his father’s determination to stay fit, he marveled at his mother’s explanation.  “Your father never gave up,” she said.  more ...


U.S. Steel fund keeps giving back to Turkey Creek

abstract_116979.gif The steel industry built Birmingham’s past.  Today, a $1 million gift from U. S. Steel is working to secure its future, through a grantmaking fund at The Community Foundation set up to benefit the Freshwater Land Trust.   more ...


Engels turn private foundation into two funds for the greater good

abstract_116759.gif When Marvin and Ruth Engel decided to terminate their private foundation in 1998, they found a unique solution at The Community Foundation, one that satisfied their need to continue making grant decisions as a family while still making sure that the community's greatest needs were met – forever.  

“Our family is from Birmingham, and our business has always been in Birmingham,” said Marvin Engel.  “We wanted to pay back the community that helped to make that business successful."   more ...


Our Community Builders
Robinson uses insurance as catalyst for change

abstract_10031014.jpg


Luckie home benefits charity

abstract_10015015.jpg


Making memorial gifts do even more

abstract_10026300.jpg


Donors in action