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The Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) hosted its annual community associates retreat on December 8 – 10 at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort Grand National. There were 79 participants from across the 12-county service area of the BBCF which includes Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Wilcox counties. 

The theme for this year’s retreat was “Investing in Grassroots Leadership: Empowering Leaders and Building Stronger Communities.”  

The first session was a review of the community associates’ program and was led by local grassroots leaders, with nuggets of BBCF history and an informative session on the BBCF mission, vision and value statements. The session also walked the participants through the roles and responsibilities of a community associate and a review of the community associates local structure.

Chief Community Engagement Officer Christopher Spencer led the second session which focused on the potential impact of the results from the 2024 general election. Spencer presented the data from the 2024 primary election and compared the results with the voter turnout data for the 2024 general election.  

The voter turnout had increased significantly across the Black Belt region for the general election, but much work still needs to be done to get higher voter participation.

During the third session of the 2024 Annual Retreat, which focused on how the BBCF will work in 2025, the participants engaged in a group table exercise where they identified the assets and needs of their counties and developed a work plan and focus for 2025. The session ended with each county presenting their work focus for 2025 which included topics such as advocacy for Medicaid expansion in Alabama, workforce development, business development, career readiness training, youth development, job creation, recreation and literacy programs, improved tax base, ambulance services, community engagement, community collaborations, financial workshops, and community meetings.

The final session on day 3 of the retreat focused on effective grantmaking and provided the participants with the impact of the 2024 community grants cycle and an overview of the BBCF grantmaking principles. Associates received instructions on the 2025 community grants application and details on the 2025 arts and community grants timelines.  

All new grantees and grantees that have never applied using the new BBCF grant management software must attend the required online grant seekers workshop to be eligible to apply for a grant. There will be four opportunities to participate in an online grant seekers workshop.  

Two workshops will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 and two will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.  The grant seekers workshops will begin promptly at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on both dates.