Guidelines

Application Protocols & Procedures

Our funding will primarily be structured as general operating support. Additionally, we support capital campaigns that align with our strategic funding priorities. We support organizations that strive to enhance education and environmental quality in Alabama, focusing on those that also address the root causes of related social challenges.

We do not fund the following:

  • Political candidates and political parties
  • Recreational and/or youth sports leagues
  • Health, medical, and disease-specific initiatives
  • Health-related academic research
  • Individuals
  • Event or fundraising sponsorships*
  • Individual school classrooms or programs
  • Religious organizations for religious purposes
  • United Way Agencies operating expenses
  • Organizations that have been in operation for less than two years
  • Organizations outside of Alabama

*EBSCO Industries, Inc. sponsors a limited number of events each year. If you would like to request consideration for your event, you can submit your request to EBSCO Corporate Communications at marketingevents@ebsco.com.

Geographic Focus

Requests from 501(c)(3) organizations are limited to those that serve the following counties:

  • Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair, Walker, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Perry, Marengo, Sumter.
  • Organizations outside of these counties that EBSCO has funded in the past are eligible to apply.
  • Statewide organizations that previously received EBSCO funding are eligible to apply.
  • Statewide organizations involved in influencing policy in one of EBSCO’s focus areas will also be considered.

See timeline for each cycle below. Refer to Priority Areas for details about our focus in each of these cycles.

Dates To Remember

Cycle One

Educational Advancement, Environmental Stewardship, & Community Service

Open for Letters of Intent
1/14/25

Letters of Intent Due
1/29/25

Declination Letters & Invitations Sent
February

Proposals Due
3/12/25

Grant Decisions Made
May

Cycle Two

Educational Advancement, Environmental Stewardship, & Community Service

Open for Letters of Intent
7/21/25

Letters of Intent Due
8/1/25

Declination Letters & Invitations Sent
August

Proposals Due
9/19/25

Grant Decisions Made
November

Cycle Three

Educational Advancement, Environmental Stewardship, & Community Services

Open for Letters of Intent
10/6/25

Letters of Intent Due
10/17/25

Declination Letters & Invitations Sent
November

Proposals Due
12/12/25

Grant Decisions Made
February

College Access

Home Stretch Scholarships & Birmingham Promise

  • Alabama Colleges, Universities, and approved Organizations may complete the Scholarship request form through Foundant.
  • 2025 Scholarship Requests are Open for Submission: April, May, November, & December.
  • Decisions will be made within four weeks of submission.

Bold Initiative or Time-Sensitive?

If your initiative has the potential to drive significant systemic change or is time-sensitive and can’t wait for our regular grant cycles, please log in to Foundant at any time and complete the Time-Sensitive Special Submission Form.

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