EBSCO Community Impact

EBSCO Community Impact is dedicated to the advancement of quality education in Alabama and protecting Alabama’s environment.

PRIORITY FUNDING AREAS:

Education

There is a strong link between quality education and quality of life. EBSCO’s focus is on quality education that is equitable and inclusive. Education, training and career opportunities influence family health and well-being at home and in the community. Bold approaches to public school challenges, such as charter schools, summer learning, school readiness and college- and career-ready programs, are all part of the path for success.          

Environment and Natural Resources

Protecting the environment and preserving our state’s abundant natural resources are ongoing priorities. Water and air protection, land conservation, public green spaces and a clean environment are integral for personal health and vibrant communities. We are interested in collaborations with nonprofits, other funders and public entities that want to expand support, public awareness and involvement in this important work.

GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Carefully review the following Grant Application Guidelines before applying. Incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.

TYPES OF FUNDING

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. 

To qualify to apply for a grant, new organizations must have been in operation for a minimum of two years and have other financial supporters.

Multi-year requests are only considered on a limited basis for a maximum period of three years. 

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 that serve outside of these counties that EBSCO has funded in the past can 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.

GRANTS WILL NOT BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING

• Individuals
• Endowments
• Individual school classrooms or programs
• Health-related or academic research
• Fundraising events*
• Conferences
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Organizations outside of Alabama
• United Way Agencies operating expenses
• Organizations that have been in operation for less than two years

*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

Applicants are eligible to receive funding only once during EBSCO’s fiscal year which is July 1 – June 30.

GRANT CYCLE PROCESS

Step 1: Submit A Letter Of Intent

All processes for EBSCO Community Impact’s grant cycles are exclusively online. If your organization meets the criteria listed in the Grant Application Guidelines, you may begin the process to submit an LOI. To submit an LOI you must log into the grants system. Use the link below to reach the login page to create an account or login to an existing account. Once you have logged in click apply on the menu bar where you will find more information. 

Step 2: Response

LOIs will receive a response by the date noted in the Dates to Remember section. Every LOI submitted will receive a response. If you do not hear from us by the date posted, please contact us.

Step 3: Proposal

This stage in the process will only be open to those who have received an invitation to apply from the EBSCO Community Impact Committee based on the LOI submission.

Step 4: Review

During this stage of the process, we may contact you regarding a site visit or questions we may have about your proposal. Every organization will not necessarily be contacted. 

Step 5: Decision

All final funding decisions are made by the EBSCO Community Impact Committee. You will be notified by e-mail of the Committee’s decision and any required follow-up steps. Checks will be mailed approximately one month after the decision is made.

Step 6: Reporting

If funded, a follow-up report is required. Terms will be included in the grant agreement sent prior to distributing funding.

EBSCO Community Impact utilizes Foundant’s online grant management system. All stages of our grant process must be submitted online. Applicants can draft, save and submit online as well as upload documents and reports, such as budgets and financial information. The collaboration feature allows multiple people to contribute content to the application.

Once you have been invited to submit an application, follow these steps to apply online:

CREATE AN ACCOUNT

All applicants are required to create an account. At the time of registration, you are required to enter the following information:

• A user name that is an email address
• Your contact information
• Your organization’s information, including the EIN/Tax ID number
• Contact information for the organization’s Executive Officer

Once you have been invited to apply, you can create an account right away. This will help avoid last-minute issues in advance of the deadline to apply.  Should you have issues setting up your account, please contact Jill Phillips at jphillips1@ebsco.com or watch a video about how to create an online account.  

CREATE AN ACCOUNT OR LOG IN

DATES TO REMEMBER

Updates in Progress: Check Back Soon for Additional 2025 Grant Cycles and Enhanced Funding Priorities