Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama Blog

The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama is proud to celebrate Mr. Fred Smith, our Vice President of Community Partnerships, on his appointment to the Board of Directors for Alabama Giving, a statewide network dedicated to strengthening and advancing philanthropy across Alabama.

As a board member, Fred will help guide Alabama Giving’s efforts to:

• Increase philanthropy and grow Alabama’s overall charitable resources.
• Expand statewide grantmaking capacity to meet community needs.
• Promote diverse ways of giving, including volunteerism, donor-advised funds, corporate giving, and private foundations.
• Encourage the creation of new philanthropic assets and innovative giving models.
• Engage more businesses and corporations in community investment efforts.
• Develop philanthropic resources in rural areas, ensuring broad representation across Alabama.
• Support and train professional advisors who help donors achieve their charitable goals.
• Communicate the vital role of philanthropy in building stronger communities.
• Foster collaboration among funders and nonprofits to multiply impact.

Fred’s commitment to community partnerships and his deep understanding of local needs make him an invaluable addition to Alabama Giving’s leadership. His service will help amplify the  Community Foundation’s mission to connect people, resources, and causes that matter most throughout Northeast Alabama and beyond.

History of Alabama Giving

In 2001, a group of foundations from across Alabama officially joined together as the Alabama Funders Forum.  The following year, Alabama Funders Forum, funded by its members and a four-year grant from New Ventures in Philanthropy, a national initiative of the Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers, took its first steps toward increasing philanthropy in our state, and Alabama Giving was formed. Since its inception, Alabama Giving membership has grown to over thirty private, corporate, and community foundations from across the state. Members meet three times per year to share information about philanthropy, discuss opportunities for collaboration, and identify challenges and issues facing our organizations and our state.