BUILDING COMMUNITY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT . for children . with those who served . through outreach FROM THE CHAIR AND PRESIDENT The Community Foundation of South Alabama serves by building. We build bridges linking donors to philanthropy. We build networks across eight counties. We build dreams for those in need. Working with you, we build communities. Through your generosity, the Community Foundation provides services and expertise for donors to make wise decisions for charitable giving. Donors trust us to establish funds supporting nonprofits, schools, churches and municipalities throughout our region. Our collective investment component amplifies your contributions for maximum impact to help you help others. We assume the administrative responsibilities of charity, allowing you to focus on the rewards—giving, helping and building. Thank you for allowing us to share your vision for helping others. Together, we work to restore hope to the underserved. OUR COMMITMENT Together, we lift up those who have little. Together, we support our veterans, preserve natural resources, nurture the arts and much more. We are committed to acting with integrity with all of our Together, we build community. partners, and to being equitable, inclusive and transparent In the coming year, we will continue to do our part in building community in towns, cities and neighborhoods throughout our in everything we do. We are passionate about developing region. We thank the generous people who give through this foundation to help advance our work and invite everyone to join long-term relationships based on mutual respect and trust hands with us. 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. Sam Covert Rebecca Byrne Chair, Board of Directors President & CEO Closing the Opportunity Gap BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN The name is fictitious. The story is not. Not long ago, Ruth, a 10-year- An Initiative premise is that all kids deserve the opportunity to old Mobile girl, walked into Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama reach their full potential. But children from K-12 in low income looking for a new life. families are often sidelined, not just in sports, but education, jobs “Her father was abusive and her mother worked multiple jobs,” and even in life itself. recalled club CEO, Tim Wills. But Ruth enjoyed the organization’s “There is frequently a circle of poverty,” added Diane Pruitt, activities—sports, arts and especially debate team. Today, Ruth is a Executive Director of Alpha Women’s Resource Center, speaking practicing attorney with a successful law firm. about unplanned pregnancies and solutions. “Our ladies often come She is a success story. “Fifty-seven percent of our alumni say we to us with limited access to medical care and just word-of-mouth saved their lives,” noted Wills, about club programs, including information about pregnancy and birth. We emphasize accurate, up- workforce training and development. But the gap is wide. to-date information and solutions for every step of the way.” In 2017, the Community Foundation launched its Closing the Closing the opportunity gap is vital in building strong, thriving Opportunity Gap Initiative, with four cradle–to–career priorities: children who grow into capable, contributive adults for a prosperous and sustainable society. • Provide adequate parent and family education. • Increase access to Pre-K programs. 2018 Grantees: Alabama 4H Foundation, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Alpha Women’s Resource Center, Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama, Gulf • Improve participation in extracurricular or out of school activities. Regional Early Childhood Services, Mobile Symphony, Palmer Williams • Develop career-readiness skills for the 21st century workforce. Group, PASSAGE of University of South Alabama and Prichard Preparatory School. Veterans Initiative BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH THOSE WHO SERVED About 60,000 veterans live in our eight-county region and the number As a result of a local veterans needs assessment and with the is growing. The Community Foundation’s Veterans Initiative is a four- recommendation of a Veteran Advisory Committee, the Community year, $600,000 effort to address their needs. In 2018, approximately Foundation identified the following primary objectives for its $420,000 was awarded. competitive grantmaking program: “In addition to Alabama being a very friendly state, Mobile is a • Improving awareness of available services. growing city. These two factors combined make our region an • Addressing the underlying causes of substance abuse. attractive place for retirees in general,” noted Duke Walker, past • Providing therapy for mental health issues. chair of the Veterans Initiative Advisory Committee and retired • Offering treatment for substance abuse. USCG Captain. But more growth means more needs for the men and “The Community Foundation of South Alabama has a tremendous women who served our country. impact on our ability to provide equine therapy to veterans and their For many veterans, the journey from military to civilian life is a families,” said Kari Whatley, Licensed Professional Counselor, Equine difficult path. Issues including housing, job training, education and Therapy Group Foundation. “Thanks to their Veterans Initiative, we mental and physical health needs are major concerns for former have served more servicemen and women than ever before. The soldiers. “We spent a significant amount of time analyzing the best Community Foundation’s grant has transformed our program and applications for grant money, looking at subgroups, not just a broad the amount of services, family days and workshops we are able to overview of the community,” Walker added. “We asked ourselves, provide to these very deserving men and women.” what are the greatest needs?” 2018 Grantees: Bayou Clinic, Inc., Veteran Recovery Resources, Lifelines Counseling Services, Housing First, Inc., Service Dogs Alabama, Equine Therapy Group Foundation and Heroes On the Water. Affiliate Foundations BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH OUTREACH This past year, we were pleased to add two new affiliate foundations, TRI-CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Fairhope/Point Clear and Tri-City Community Foundations. The Atmore “Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are independent with distinct Community Foundation was founded in 2017. In partnership with the attributes they are proud of and should be,” said Tri-City chair, Community Foundation of South Alabama, these affiliates engage local Michelle Hodges. “We have always worked together. But we want leaders, transcend boundaries and make a difference. Each has distinct to maintain that focus to showcase the strength and commitment of personalities, needs and desires yet share common goals. these three cities.” Hodges added that working together, using grant funding and drawing on Community Foundation expertise, enables the tri-cities to work in unison for the overall wellbeing. FAIRHOPE/POINT CLEAR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION “We partnered with the Community Foundation for many reasons,” said Fairhope/Point Clear chair, Ashley Bonner. “But one particular ATMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION reason is the investment component. The Community Foundation of Last year the Atmore Community Foundation announced it had South Alabama can take donations, establish funds and through its returned $90,000 to the community since 2017. “This is just the expertise in investing, amplify our giving.” beginning for us,” said Audrey Moon, Advisory Committee Chair. Bonner noted Fairhope and Point Clear are both known for “We’re even more determined to continue our grant-making efforts generosity. “But this is something we can offer to steer our and make an impact on our community.” communities’ spirit of giving,” she adds. “The Community Escambia County Middle School is one such grantee. The 500-student Foundation draws on 250 years of collective experience in donation campus is the recipient of a hands–on collaboration lab designed investing. It’s almost like a secret and we are excited to get the to promote problem solving and teach skills in STEM (science, word out to our community.” technology, engineering and math) areas. 2018 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Project Play Kickoff Annual Luncheon ASSESSING YOUTH SPORTS BRINGING COMMUNITY TOGETHER As part of our Closing the Opportunity The 2018 Annual Luncheon welcomed over 500 community leaders, donors and nonprofit Gap Initiative, the Community Foundation organizations to the Renaissance Riverview Plaza partnered with The Aspen Institute Sports Hotel on Friday, March 23. Guest speaker was Jon and Society Program to conduct an overall Solomon, Editorial Director for The Aspen Institute assessment of youth sports, recreation and Sports & Society Program and former national physical literacy across Mobile County. The college football reporter at CBSSports.com. Mary Jake Peavy Foundation, the Blue Cross Blue B. Austin Elementary student, Owen Norwood, stole the spotlight with his story of how youth sports has Shield of Alabama Caring Foundation and made a profound impact on his life. The annual event a task force of 15 local leaders across the provides an opportunity for citizens to come together public and private sectors played an integral to discuss our past collective successes and learn of role in the collection of data that supported future endeavors to advance our shared mission of the “State of Play” final report published by building community.