Overview

The “opportunity gap” refers to a nationwide trend of unequal access to education and out-of-school opportunities for youth of all ages. Our kids across southwest Alabama face a growing opportunity gap that, for many, hinders their ability to reach their full potential and threatens our communities’ future prosperity.

Our collective impact agenda includes strengthening southwest Alabama’s system of early childhood education to make sure all kids get a great start; supporting parents, families and youth in underserved and rural communities; and helping opportunity youth (ages 16-24 not in school and not employed) get the higher education and workforce training they need to succeed.

Each area of investment for our Community Foundation includes strategic partnerships with the public sector, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, educational institutions and businesses. Closing the opportunity gap is vital in building strong, thriving children who grow into capable, contributive adults for a prosperous and sustainable community.

Good SPORTS GRANT

Youth organizations across southwest Alabama had the opportunity to apply for brand-new sports equipment, apparel, and footwear from our partners at Good Sports. These equipment grants aimed to increase minutes of play, exposed children to new activities, and opened the door for children of all abilities to experience a variety of academic, social and emotional benefit.

The Project Play report released by the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program announced one in three children in Mobile County is overweight, twice the national average. Additionally, the report found girls have fewer opportunities than boys to participate in active play. According to the Center for Disease Control, 15.2% of Mobile County residents ages 14 to 18 meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day, compared to 35.5% of males 14 to 18.

Limited program budgets and high pay-to-play costs create significant financial barriers for children in southwest Alabama. We were proud to partner with Good Sports to promote healthier habits and build more active communities through sport and play.

Project Play

The Community Foundation partnered with the Aspen Institute, Jake Peavy Foundation, and The Caring Foundation on Project Play, a movement to reimagine youth sports in our local communities with health and inclusion as core values.

Project Play was just one of the Community Foundation’s local commitments to “Closing the Opportunity Gap” for our kids living in underserved communities.

The Community Foundation aims to level the playing field for kids, regardless of zip code. By educating and empowering coaches, parents, athletes, and the leaders of youth sports programs, we have the ability to re-energize Southwest Alabama communities to be active and allow every child the opportunity to play.

STEM Education

What do Einstein and DaVinci have in common today?  These two math wiz geniuses live on to inspire school children to dream of inventions of their own when they participate in classes at the innovative science center.

With support from a grant from the Foundation, the Exploreum presented “Da Vinci Machines, The Original Machines Exhibition” and an interactive workshop. Visitors and students along the Gulf Coast flocked to participate in this unique opportunity. There were over 19,000 visitors with 3,800 of these visitors being low-income or at-risk youth from Mobile and Baldwin counties.

Students designed, assembled, and built creations through activities which covered a series of topics from flying machines to bridges to robotics.

Through our collaborative effort, we hope to spark an interest among our youth to explore STEM-related careers. These bright minds will one day ignite our community as productive citizens of our workforce.  And many of their dreams will come true.

Explore all grant opportunities

Visit our grant application portal to see all available grant opportunities.