About Community Foundation of South Alabama
Would you like to leave a legacy that makes in impact beyond your lifetime? We help people just like you create philanthropic funds that grow in impact for decades. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to over 500 funds and awarded over $85 million in grants and scholarships throughout the eight counties of southwest Alabama, improving the lives of many residents in our corner of the world.
We amplify the gifts from generous donors through wise investment, support others in efforts to enhance our community, and lead and collaborate on initiatives which have a broad impact.
Meet Our Team
Rebecca Byrne
President / CEO
Leigha Bolton
Senior Community Engagement Officer
Jenny Klein
Special Events Manager
CarOLyn Marston
Director of Operations
Natalie Dunn
Senior Communications & Programs Officer
Jena Berson
Director of Communications & Programs
MEAGAN GUTIERREZ
Administrative & Finance Assistant
Our Board of Directors
Marshall Shields, CHAIR
Peter Susman, VICE CHAIR
Anna Goldman, SECRETARY
John Bedsole, TREASUrER
Marietta Urquhart, immediate past chair
s. Wesley Carpenter
Ryan Damrich
ED Douglas
Audra Harper
cHIP Harrigan
Aryne Hudson
Kay Lett
Virginia McNeil O’Brien
lEE mITCHELL
Monica Motley
Edward Norfleet, Jr.
Jerod Pilot
Jamey Sandifer
Emilee Waters
Ricardo Woods
Our Vision is Our Commitment
We envision an inclusive and economically thriving community that is healthy and safe for everyone. All of our work takes us step by step closer in this direction.
We are committed to acting with integrity with all of our partners, and to being equitable, inclusive and transparent in everything we do. We are passionate about developing long-term relationships based on mutual respect and trust in order to create measurable impact in our communities.
We are committed to helping southwest Alabama become a more prosperous community where all of its residents
enjoy a great quality of life.
Testimonials
Our Fundholders recognize the importance of giving back to their communities and supporting local causes. The Community Foundation of South Alabama facilitates philanthropic partnerships by connecting donors with local charitable organizations and community development initiatives. Here, we showcase the testimonials and experiences shared by those most impacted by our work.
Our Financials
Non-profit Status
The Community Foundation of South Alabama is an Alabama not-for-profit corporation approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a publicly supported organization under Section 509(a)(1) and (170)(b)(1)(A)(VI). We recognize the stewardship of the assets entrusted to us as one of our most important responsibilities.
The trust of our donors is based upon our ability to invest these resources prudently and to use the income produced in accordance with our donor’s charitable wishes, today and in the future. The responsibility of overseeing the investment portfolios of The Community Foundation of South Alabama is vested in the Board of Directors through the Investment Committee. This Committee works closely with staff to set policy, establish performance benchmarks and continually monitor the effectiveness of The Community Foundation portfolio.
The Community Foundation of South Alabama has been accredited with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®—the highest standards for philanthropic excellence. Those receiving the Accreditation Seal have demonstrated their commitment to the success and well-being of every cause and person they support and are willing and able to stand by every grant they have made.
We work to support the causes our community cares about, from Closing the Opportunity Gap to Veterans’ Needs. National Standards says that we meet the most rigorous standards in philanthropy and is a promise to our community that we’ll continue to do this good work together, right here in southwest Alabama.