Two Baldwin County community foundations have handed out a combined $52,000 in grants this year to nonprofit organizations working to improve daily life across the county, from Bay Minette to the Gulf Coast beach cities.
The Tri-City Community Foundation and the North Baldwin Community Foundation, both affiliates of The Community Foundation of South Alabama, each distributed $26,000 through their 2026 competitive grant cycles, according to a news release from the organizations.
Tri-City grants support Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
The Tri-City Community Foundation’s $26,000 was split among seven organizations serving Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach: CARE House Inc., Dream Center of Baldwin County, Sea Glass Initiative Inc., Sight Savers America, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Southern Relief and the YMCA of South Alabama.
“The Tri-City Community Foundation believes philanthropy is most powerful when it empowers local solutions,” said Ed Douglas, chair of the Tri-City Advisory Committee, in the release. “These grants reflect our commitment to investing in organizations that are strengthening our communities and creating meaningful opportunities for generations to come.”
Among the recipients, Sea Glass Initiative Inc. said the funding will help it broaden its community programming along the coast.
“We are deeply grateful to the Tri-City Community Foundation Advisory Committee and The Community Foundation of South Alabama for their support,” Sea Glass Initiative Executive Director Michelle Hillman said in a release from the nonprofit. “This grant enables us to expand our reach, address critical needs and make a lasting, positive impact across our coastal communities.”
North Baldwin grants reach 11 organizations
The North Baldwin Community Foundation awarded its $26,000 across 11 organizations serving Bay Minette and the surrounding area: Baldwin County High School, Bay Minette Public Library, North Baldwin Helping Hands DBA NB White Christmas, North Baldwin Literacy Council, Prodisee Pantry Inc., The Chosen Youth Outreach Ministry, Make-A-Wish, CARE House Inc., the YMCA of South Alabama, United Way of Baldwin County Inc. and North Baldwin Ecumenical Association LLC.
Rebecca Byrne, president and CEO of The Community Foundation of South Alabama, said the North Baldwin grants are designed to reach groups already familiar with the needs of the people they serve.
“The North Baldwin Community Foundation is committed to investing in stronger communities,” Byrne said. “By partnering with organizations that understand the unique needs of the people they serve, we are helping create lasting change where it matters most.”
How the foundations work
The North Baldwin Community Foundation and the Tri-City Community Foundation were established in 2020 as affiliates of The Community Foundation of South Alabama. Each relies on a local advisory committee made up of community members who recommend how charitable funds should be distributed in their area, while The Community Foundation of South Alabama handles administration, investment management and legal compliance for the funds.
The Community Foundation of South Alabama, founded in 1976, serves an eight-county region of the state through grantmaking and community leadership initiatives. The organization has awarded more than $125 million in scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations over its history and works to build lasting endowments intended to support local communities for generations to come.