Poverty is a complex issue, and much of the Community Foundation’s work to date has focused on the symptoms of poverty rather than the root causes.

We know there are systems in place that create barriers for people working towards economic security and well-being. This priority is about identifying and breaking down those barriers to success, whatever they may be, to address the underlying issues that result in persistent poverty. Overcoming persistent poverty is related to economic opportunity, but includes those who may not be in the workforce, like children, some seniors and some disabled individuals.

What We Believe

Persistent poverty affects everyone in our community and is an issue that we have a shared responsibility to address. Alabama is one of the poorest states in the U.S.; 17% of Alabamians and 24% of Alabama children live below the federal poverty threshold. Child poverty rates are highest among African American and Hispanic children. Single mothers experience significantly higher rates of poverty in Alabama and more than 47% of female-headed households with children in Alabama report income below the poverty threshold. The gap between Alabama’s median household income and the nation continues to grow.

These facts about poverty help us understand the issue of persistent poverty, but they do not fully describe the challenges faced by individuals and families in our community who are living at or below the poverty threshold. Overcoming poverty requires addressing a diverse range of issues within systems: equity, educational attainment, job creation, income inequality, housing, food security, public transit, healthcare, childcare, asset building, and more.

The Impact We Seek

The Foundation is committed to:

1. Reducing the number of children and individuals living in intergenerational poverty by identifying and addressing obstacles to prosperity
2. Building systems of support to meet the basic needs of those in crisis with a wide array of holistic safety net services
3. Breaking down societal barriers that result in the disproportionately high cost of poverty through advocacy and public policy reform