Alabama

The Opelika-based East Alabama Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Alabama Community Foundation, has announced grants totaling more than $30,525 in support of 18 area nonprofits. Recipients include the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation, Mercy Medical Ministries, Rape Counselors of East Alabama, and Quiet Storm Outreach Group.

California

Freedom West Homes Corp. has announced the closing of predevelopment funding commitments from the San Francisco Foundation (SFF), Low Income Investment Fund, and Menorah Park, which has helped the organization surpass $30 million in funding to achieve operational stabilization and prepare for its $2.3 billion revitalization plan known as Freedom West 2.0. SFF has provided a $2.5 million impact investment in support of establishing a parity zone—a geographically defined area where a concentrated effort is made to bridge the economic divide and create equitable opportunities.

Colorado

The Arvada-based Colorado Gives Foundation, formerly the Community First Foundation, has announced that its annual Colorado Gives Day, established in 2010, has raised $54.6 million in support of nonprofits across the state—an increase of approximately $500,000 from 2023. Nearly 800 new nonprofits participated in the event, which has raised more than $523 million in 15 years. This year, $10.2 million was raised for human services, the largest single category.

Florida

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties has announced an investment of $500,000 from the Quantum Foundation in support of a Black history museum and research center in West Palm Beach’s historic Coleman Park neighborhood. The planned 20,000-square-foot African-American Museum and Research Library aims to attract tourism and provide educational and cultural opportunities, such as youth programs, cultural events, and oral history projects.

Louisiana

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has announced the short list of three firms under consideration to develop the Plan Baton Rouge Phase III master plan, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at revitalizing and enhancing the capital city’s downtown. The finalist will be decided after presentations this month, and the planning process is anticipated to kick off in early January 2025. The foundation is among the local groups sponsoring the plan, which will focus on the intersections of design, public space activation, and placemaking, commerce, and mobility to invest in the next chapter of downtown development.

Maine

The Maine Community Foundation has announced the addition of Tom Janenda, Triona O’Connor, and Siana Emery. Janenda will serve as the foundation’s vice president of communications and marketing, a new position. O’Connor will serve as assistant to the president. And Emery will serve as scholarship outreach associate. 

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Foundation has announced grants totaling $550,000 in support of more than two dozen animal welfare organizations across the state. Recipients include the Potter League for Animals, Veterinary Medical Suite at Potter’s Animal Care Center, Animal Rescue Rhode Island, and the Pets in Need Clinic.

Washington

The Seattle Foundation has announced its fall 2024 Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) grants. N2N grantees often use reclamation and promotion of culture as tools for building community. This year, recipients include Ase Theater, Gorilla Faith, Pathways to Progress, and the Writers Development Program.

Wisconsin

The Eau Claire Community Foundation has announced grants totaling $136,000 to three local nonprofit organizations from its William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund. The recipients are Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity, YMCA of the Greater Chippewa Valley, and Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve.