Alabama

The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham has announced that LightRails, the 18th Street Birmingham Lights installation, has been named a 2014 CODAawards winner. The light-art installation, which was supported with gifts from the foundation’s Catalyst Fund, was one of ten international winners and won in the Transportation category. In addition, the foundation was honored as a Best Community Partner for its work with REVBirmingham to make all four light-art installations possible.

Illinois

The Chicago Community Trust has announced the launch of a new "collaboratories" project designed to build on its On the Table civic engagement initiative. To that end, working groups will be tasked with advancing six ideas spawned by the initiative: asset mapping, the GenG (Generation Green) project, opportunity hubs, parent engagement roadmap, sister neighborhoods, and the Where Is Your Bench? campaign. CCT will continue to steward the six ideas into action in a process slated to begin in October with lab sessions led by Chicago-based innovation firms Doblin, Gravity Tank, Greater Good Studio, and IDEO.

Iowa

The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque has announced six grants totaling nearly $180,000 in support of energy improvement projects. Through the Grants to Green program, up to $50,000 was awarded to Ecumenical Tower, Hill and Dales Community Center/Childcare, Four Mounds-Grey House, Stonehill Franciscan Services, Luther Manor, and Dubuque Rescue Mission.

Pennsylvania

The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Foundation, has announced a three-year, $450,000 effort to help revitalize seven communities in Westmoreland County. The Revitalizing Westmoreland community initiative aims to encourage new and creative ways to improve quality of life for residents of Arnold, Jeanette, Greensburg, Latrobe, Lower Burrell, Monessen, and New Kensington. All seven communities have experienced significant losses in their manufacturing base and subsequent out-migration of residents. Grants of $500 to $50,000 that require a match in the form of volunteer time, cash, and/or in-kind gifts of goods or services will be awarded in support of safety, education, cleanup, and beautification efforts in each community.

Wisconsin

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation has announced grants totaling more than $838,000, including $300,000 in support of area visual arts programs from the foundation’s Mary L. Nohl Fund. Recipients include the Center for Veterans Issues, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington County, First Stage, and the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust.

The Winneconne Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, has announced that it will award its initial grants through two new grant programs. Grants from the WACF Fund will support projects or new programs at charitable organizations which focus on arts and culture, community development, education, environment, health, and human services. And grants from the Winneconne Basic Needs Fund will support programs that meet residents' basic needs, including food, clothing, and shelter.