SELMA, AL (April 28, 2025) – The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) is celebrating the impact of its 2025 combined Community Grants and Arts Grants cycle across all 12 counties it serves in the Alabama Black Belt region. Community-based organizations from Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, and Wilcox Counties applied for grants with the opening of the granting cycle in January. A total of $344,447.20 will be awarded through 141 different one-year long project grants to 126 different community organizations that are significantly impacting their communities in transformative ways that contribute to the strength, innovation and success of Black Belt citizens and said communities. 

BBCF continues its model of grant making based on the practice known as “Trust-Based Philanthropy. Community arts organizations applied at large and the BBCF Community Associates network conducted BBCF local grant committees in each of BBCF’s 12 service counties. In this way, decisions could be made by those closest to the issues and granting needs voiced by their community. Local Grant Committees scored applications from their county based on these same, voiced needs, proposed delivery of services and the potential of project to change the community.

“As we continue to celebrate BBCF’s 20th anniversary through May, the Black Belt Community Foundation is proud to award these funds in 141 different grants to community and arts organizations across the 12 counties we serve. We continue our focus on empowering local initiatives by first listening and responding to the very needs voiced by the communities themselves. All this, while fostering growth and impacting the entire Black Belt region,” said Felecia Lucky, CEO & President of Black Belt Community Foundation.