Impact Investing

In 2024, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham launched its impact investing initiative, making investments that drive positive change in the counties we serve, and provide a return on investment – of both financial and social impact.

WHAT IS IMPACT INVESTING?

Impact investments are investments made into local companies, organizations, and funds with the intention of generating measurable community benefit alongside financial returns.

Impact investing offers mission-minded investors a way to accelerate projects by providing funding, usually through low-interest loans, to nonprofits. Nonprofits leverage these investments to achieve results in areas such as safe and healthy housing, educational opportunities, equitable access to career training, and more.

HOW ARE PROJECTS CHOSEN? 

The Foundation invests in projects that drive economic opportunity for the communities and residents in our service footprint. Investments are aligned to the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities, which are informed by ongoing community engagement efforts.

HOW CAN DONORS PARTICIPATE?  

Donors with donor advised funds can co-invest alongside the Foundation with a minimum of $25,000 from their fund. Once investments are repaid, the donor’s fund will be credited with the original investment amount plus interest. Should an investment fail to be repaid, the investment from the donor’s fund will be treated as a charitable grant.

Recent Investments

Titusville Cultural Center

Titusville’s Cultural Center is expanding thanks to a partnership between Opportunity Alabama (OPAL) and Common Thread. The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is proud to be a part of this collaboration as part of its first ever Impact Investing – providing OPAL a low-interest loan for the project. The Cultural Center is a six-acre campus owned by Common Thread that provides space for mission-driven entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small businesses as well as workforce training and enrichment for young people. 

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Woodlawn United

Woodlawn United has partnered with a dynamic group of collaborators to build an affordable housing community of eight rental cottages and 12 townhomes on Georgia Road in Woodlawn. The project is made possible through a partnership with the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, the City of Birmingham, the Housing Authority Birmingham District (HABD), and Navigate Affordable Housing Partners and South State Bank. The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has also supported this endeavor through a low-interest loan to Woodlawn United for phase one of the project. This loan, offered at a 2 percent interest rate, is one of the Community Foundation’s first-ever impact investments.

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On Aug. 28, 2025, Woodlawn United and partners broke ground on The Cottages on Georgia Road. Located at 200 61st St. S, The Cottages on Georgia Road will provide high-quality, affordable homes designed to support families and strengthen the fabric of the neighborhood.

“This groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction — it’s the beginning of new possibilities for families in Woodlawn. We are deeply grateful to our partners who share our vision of creating thriving, connected communities.” – Mashonda S. Taylor, President & CEO, Woodlawn United.

For more information about co-investing with the Foundation, please contact Liz Edwards. For more information about submitting a potential project for investment, contact Gus Heard-Hughes.

Grant Stories

More than a Gym: How YMCA of Greater Birmingham is Transforming Communities

When you enter the Northeast Community YMCA in Roebuck you may be surprised by what you find.  

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Larry Savage’s “Hearts of Wheels” keeps rolling

Larry Savage still remembers his first car. It was a 1974 Mustang that he bought in 1975 for $3,000.

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​​​A New, Universally Accessible Green Space for the South ​​​​​​

Jefferson County Greenways ​​is on​​​​ ​​a mission to develop ​a fully​ inclusive public green space in the South. East Side Park, nestled in the Roebuck Springs/South Roebuck Neighborhood just off Highway 11 and I-59, is being reimagined as a vibrant destination that welcomes people of all ages and abilities.  

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The Life-Changing Work of Special Equestrians

Kathleen Claybrook receives a lot of fan mail. Her email inbox is filled with messages from parents praising Special Equestrians for being “life-giving” and “life-changing.”  

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15 Years of the Remy Fund for Pets and Animal Services

The Remy Fund for Pets and Animal Services at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, in its 15th year of grantmaking, awarded a record $90,500 to nonprofit organizations that improve the lives of animals, and the humans they touch, in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, and Walker counties. 

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LGBTQ Fund Announces 2025 Grant Recipients

The LGBTQ Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham announced recipients of funding for this year’s grant cycle. Since its founding in 2014, the LGBTQ Fund has provided more than $471,250.00 through its grant cycle to support programs in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, and Walker Counties. This year’s grant recipients are as follows:

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