The City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO) is soliciting proposals to grant public funds to any firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private, for the purpose of promoting the economic development for the City. IEO is requesting proposals for creative, evidence-based approaches to advance economic resilience and mobility in Birmingham under the Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) grant program.
Donor Name: City of Birmingham
State: Alabama
Neighborhood: Selected Neighborhood
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/19/2022
Size of the Grant: $50,000 to $150,000
Details:
IEO is working to build an ecosystem that allows innovation and opportunity to thrive by providing resources to nurture talent, by establishing infrastructure that supports the growth of women-, minority-, and disadvantaged businesses, and by focusing on developing our small businesses. Now in its fifth year, BOLD has been allocated up to $1 Million in Mayor Woodfin’s FY 2023-2024 budget to develop partnerships with community organizations that share IEO’s vision of making Birmingham the model of an inclusive and resilient economy.
BOLD Objectives
- Small businesses: identify, organize and deliver resources for Birmingham small business owners to grow and sustain their businesses
- Minority-, women- and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs): identify and address barriers for women-, minority-, and disadvantaged business enterprises within the City of Birmingham
- Workforce development: develop and implement a reskilling strategy for Birmingham workers to gain upward mobility and to close the gap between employer needs and the skills their institutions produce
- Overcoming barriers: improve access to education, training, or employment opportunities for Birmingham residents through innovations in transportation, childcare, and the elimination of other critical barriers like internet and computer access
- Birmingham’s neighborhoods: advance economic resilience, mobility, and inclusive growth in Birmingham’s neighborhoods
- Data-driven Innovation: use data-driven insights and innovative approaches to advance inclusive growth potential in Birmingham.
Funding Information
Most BOLD awards range from $50,000 to $150,000, though compelling proposals for other funding amounts will be considered.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for BOLD funding, applicants must:
- Be a firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private, with the purpose of promoting the economic development for the City. No individuals may apply. Applications are encouraged from Alabama-recognized non-profit organizations (IRC Section 501(c)(3) entities preferred), post-secondary education institutions, and relevant for-profit enterprises, particularly those with a social impact focus. Minority- and women-owned and other disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBE) are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Provide a cost matching plan, with matching funds secured at a rate of 20% of the entire project budget. For example, if an application budget requires $250,000, the proposal may seek up to $200,000 from the City and should clearly indicate how it will provide $50,000 toward the project objectives.
- Demonstrate organizational fiscal sustainability through financial information such as organizational budget, IRS Form 990s, Profit and Loss Statement, and/or recent audit reports.
For more information, visit City of Birmingham.
