Communities Are Sustainable,
Livable and Vibrant

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Overview

The Community Foundation is pursuing the following four strategies toward this Result: Communities are sustainable, livable & vibrant.

  • Expand and improve public greenspace.
  • Further develop vibrant city center for Birmingham.
  • Improve the natural environment.
  • Expand access to arts and cultural opportunities.

Here’s why:
Parks, bike and walking trails and open spaces are key ingredients of great communities. Studies show that public green space promotes social cohesion, reduces crime, attracts businesses, promotes healthy and active lifestyles and helps build stronger communities.

The Community Foundation has been instrumental in expanding public green space through its leadership in the Three Parks Initiative, shown by recent expansion at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, the opening of Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham and trails at Red Mountain Park.

A more livable community also needs a vibrant city center for Birmingham, the city at the heart of our region. Our commitment continues to the implementation of the City Center Master Plan, which provides a vision for what the City Center can become over the next 20 years. Prize2theFuture, the idea contest that became the innovative first investment from Community Catalyst Funds, adds support to the city’s heart with new ideas for development on a city-owned block next to Railroad Park.

The Community Foundation also responds to immediate needs to make sure neighborhoods devastated in 2011 and 2012 tornadoes can be built back better than ever.

We continue our focus on the physical condition of our natural environment and the vigor of the arts and cultural sector. Guiding our funding of arts and culture is the community’s voice captured in the Cultural Master Plan for Greater Birmingham.

  • For more information about this Result and how your nonprofit organization can partner with the Community Foundation, contact James McCrary.
  • If you want to make a gift to drive positive change in this result, contact Erin Stephenson or use our secure on-line donation process.
  • If you are already a Community Foundation donor and wish to use your Advised Fund as part of our Giving Together program, contact Kathryn Corey.