A call for Tuscaloosa nonprofits to apply for A Community Thrives grant

In 2021, The House Tuscaloosa received a $5,000 A Community Thrives grant through the USA TODAY Network. Adding that to funds raised since 2020, founders Lori Maxey and Amber Howard, with their board, began turning the old Stillman College president's house into a home, built around a three-part literacy effort: educational, musical and spiritual.

Those separate programs don't necessarily interrelate, other than falling under the same roof, said the Rev. Lori Maxey, one of two pastors who left traditional church structure to create The House Tuscaloosa. Someone in the educational program might not even be aware of the musical, and certainly won't be forced into scriptural studies, she said. But all those facets, under the broader drive of promoting and developing literacy, will be available at The House Tuscaloosa.

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It was especially important to the founders that their effort fall in the under-served West End of Tuscaloosa. About 25 percent of West End residents fall at or below the poverty rate. Over its 32,000 households, the average income is about $39,000. Links have long been established between poverty and literacy.

Many West End people needing services, due to transportation or financial issues, have trouble reaching other agencies meant to serve them. So The House Tuscaloosa began where it was most needed.

Even though she grew up in Tuscaloosa, Maxey had never really been to the West End before about five years ago.

"I see myself as a bridge-builder, to help get people there. We need to help the whole community, not just the places where we're comfortable," she said.

Stillman College President Cynthia Warrick provided the facility, which had been used by previous leaders of the historically Black college, founded in 1876 by the Presbyterian Church as the Tuscaloosa Institute, for young Black men to study for the ministry. In 1895 it was renamed for First Presbyterian Church pastor the Rev. Charles Allen Stillman, and after further expansions, officially became Stillman College in the mid-20th century.

"I had already decided this nonprofit needed to be in a house," Maxey said. "But I did not even dream we would be in a house where educators had lived, on a campus that has so well served this community."

It's a three-story building just inside the first gate as you approach Stillman from downtown Tuscaloosa. There's roughly 4,000 square feet of space, with the basement and top floor to be used for storage, and office and work spaces. All public programming will remain on the main floor.

But having been vacant for more than 20 years, the building need extensive renovations. Restoration work began in late 2020, adding new electrical and plumbing systems, and a new roof. And of course the COVID-19 pandemic, and its related supply-chain and other issues, pushed their timeline back.

The A Community Thrives program seeks to assist community-building initiatives across the U.S., through crowdfunding and support from the Gannett Foundation. It's a $2.3 million initiative to help organizations supporting a range of social issues, including homelessness, mental health care for LGBTQ people, reproductive care, and girls' education, among others.

Begun in 2017, A Community Thrives has distributed $17 million in grants and donations. The House Tuscaloosa received a community operating grant, chosen by leaders across Gannett's more than 250 news sites in 46 states, with special consideration given to those bolstering historically under-served and under-resourced groups.

Applying for A Community Thrives grants

Nonprofits can apply online for A Community Thrives grants now until June 30 at 8 p.m., central. There are operating grants for eligible organizations with community operations in USA TODAY Network markets, incentive grants for groups that raise the most funds and bonus challenge grants for those who wish to compete.

Recipients will be announced Oct. 5.

The fundraising portion runs from July 18 to Aug. 12 at 8 p.m., central. A Community Thrives will provide participating organizations with individualized web pages to promote their cause and raise donations. "This web page can also be used for year-round online fundraising," according to an FAQ on the program website.

Grant applicants won't be on their own during the crowdfunding period. A Community Thrives will provide toolkits, training, outreach support, mass media and social media coverage to help nonprofits of all sizes to participate.

“I love this program. It brings real dollars to worthy projects in our communities," said Paige O. Windsor, the Montgomery Advertiser's executive editor. "Since returning to Alabama last summer, I've been moved by the ways — big and small — that the people of the River Region help one another. I'm looking forward to seeing how 'A Community Thrives' plays a role in supporting the great work of our 2022 grant partners."

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Gannett's A Community Thrives grant opens applications through June