In August 2011, with the launch of a new website for the Community Foundation, we shifted our posts to another WordPress platform, this one embedded within our regular website. We hope you will follow us there and continue to share good news about this great place we live and the generous people who support its future through the Community Foundation.

You can find a list of past winners as well as a nomination form on the AFP website. Think about the great people and organizations you know and be part of this wonderful event by submitting a nomination. The extended deadline is August 12.

Look for more information soon about the event itself, which promises a national speaker and a great reception at The Club on November 15.

Thanks to the members of the Remy Fund Advisory Committee who reviewed so many great applications, to Ken for the original $250,000 gift to set up the fund and to others who have added their gifts over the past year. The fund is still open for donations from people interested in supporting its priorities:
• Rescue/shelter programs for traditional companion animals
• Spay/neuter programs
• Animal-assisted therapy programs involving traditional companion animals
• Education and advocacy programs (promoting the humane and dignified treatment of traditional companion animals)
• Service dog programs

Nonprofits can apply again for grants next year, starting May 1, 2012, so stay tuned through the Community Foundation.

How 3 Cities Are Crowdsourcing for Community Revitalization.

Grants are going to nonprofit organizations in coordination with Long Term Recovery Committees serving Jackson, DeKalb, Marshall and Franklin counties. That’s the way the process will continue, as members of the Advisory Committee for the Bama Rising Fund of the Community Foundation look for more opportunities to give in hard-hit areas across the state. These LTRCs provide a great connection to unmet needs, because they are made up of people who really know what their communities are facing and what resources are available.

None of this could have happened for Bama Rising or for the Rihanna concert without the great stars, the hard-working promoters and creative support, the sponsors and all the fans and people from across the country who cared enough to buy a ticket or T-shirt or send a donation. We are so lucky to have this support, because the needs of our state are still so great!

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham serves as one of the philanthropic partners for the concert, creating the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund as an advised fund in partnership with the City of Birmingham. An advisory committee will include local leaders and representatives of the community foundations.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, with two levels of pricing topping out at $49. Let’s make this another great success for our community and keep attention on the on-going needs of tornado survivors.

Tonight through June 16 you can participate in the on-line auction organized by the Bama Rising promoters. You can make an on-line gift in any amount or give $10 by texting BAMA to 501501 (message and data rates may apply).

Tomorrow night, June 15, you can use your purchase of a meal at Alabama locations of Chipotle Mexican Grill to do some good. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at any Alabama Chipotle location, 50 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Bama Rising Fund for statewide tornado recovery.

Items come from professional baseball organizations across the country responding to the Barons’ call for help.

“The overwhelming support the baseball community has offered by donating all of these items for the auctions is incredible,” said Barons General Manager Jonathan Nelson. “So many Major and Minor League Baseball teams have not only contributed multiple items but the quality and unique variety of auction items should help us raise money for those affected by the tragedy on April 27.”

You can check out all the items available on the team’s website under the Community tool bar in the top right corner. And check the Barons’ schedule for home games.

This idea should be a real home run for tornado survivors and will help us all keep the recovery effort in mind.

Many thanks to Verizon, the presenting sponsor for the Bama Rising benefit concert on June 14, for this additional chance to be part of supporting the Bama Rising Fund at the Community Foundation, which will support statewide tornado recovery.

“When we heard word of this amazing concert, we reached out to Verizon to find out if there was anything we could do to help,” Wilson said. “We are challenging Alabama fans across the state to show their support for ongoing recovery efforts by coming out and giving what they can to the cause – no donation too big or too small.”

All three players also will appear on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jones Valley Verizon store at 2762 Carl T. Jones Drive Southeast in Huntsville and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McFarland Verizon store at 2340 McFarland Boulevard East in Tuscaloosa.

At all three locations, you can also enter a drawing for two tickets to the Bama Rising concert, which sold out general Admission tickets in less than an hour. You can give by cash or check, made out to the Community Foundation. Credit card donations can be made through an online DONATE button at the concert website, or you can text “BAMA” to 501501 to donate $10 (a charge to your cell phone bill. Message and data rates may apply.).

We said yes and thank you for this creative way to keep the focus on the long-term needs of tornado survivors across our state.

In addition to ticket sales, Alabama Ghostbusters will raise money for recovery efforts through a special auction starting the week before the show. Click here to find out more about the show and the fundraising effort which will support the Alabama Tornado Recovery Fund of the Community Foundation.

Alabama Ghostbusters use the phrase Geeks for Good. As far as the Community Foundation is concerned, this is another great way to give back to an on-going need.