The ALA-TOM RC&D COUNCIL INC focuses on place-based, rural community strengthening in southwest Alabama, funding local schools, libraries, municipal governments, and community service providers. Grants consistently support K–12 education, local government/community development projects, basic services (food distribution, rescue squads), and a mix of conservation/land stewardship and animal welfare activities. Many recipients are repeated local institutions and regional partners, indicating a preference for sustaining core community infrastructure rather than national initiatives.
Ala-tom Rc&d Council Inc’s grantmaking is built around rural institutions in southwest Alabama: schools, libraries, local governments, rescue squads, and community organizations that keep small towns functioning. The recent grants list shows a steady pattern of support for everyday civic infrastructure, with awards to places such as Washington County Commission, City of Marion, Clarke County Commission, and Selma Dallas County Rescue Squad. Education appears alongside that civic work, with grants for K–12 schools and regional higher education partners, including Auburn University and Millry High School. The foundation also funds conservation and stewardship efforts, as seen in support for the Marengo County Soil and Water Conservation District. Across the record, the emphasis is local and place-based rather than statewide or national, with grants landing in Alabama communities tied to the Tombigbee region and nearby counties. A number of recipients recur over time, suggesting ongoing relationships with institutions that serve as anchors for rural community life.
In education, Ala-tom Rc&d Council Inc supports both K–12 schools and education-related community institutions. Examples include $16,684 to Millry High School for education and $15,750 to Grove Hill Elementary School for education, along with $14,700 to Washington County Public Library for education and general support. The foundation also backs higher education and regional capacity-building, including $44,798 to Auburn University and $15,000 to The University of Alabama. Community development is another clear theme. Grants such as $50,000 to Washington County Commission for community development, $20,000 to City of Marion for community development, and $15,672 to Clarke County Commission for general purposes show attention to local government and public-facing services. Conservation and land stewardship appear through $13,246 to Marengo County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Grant size is relatively compact. The typical award sits at $6,123 at the 25th percentile, $8,421 at the median, and $10,456 at the 75th percentile, even though a few larger grants rise well above that range. The record also shows repeat support to the same institutions across multiple years, including Auburn University, Marion-Perry County Library, Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, and Breakthrough Charter School. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. Ala-tom Rc&d Council Inc is not a donor-advised fund or an individual-giving vehicle; it is a council-based foundation that funds organizations directly.
$447K
$572K
$1M
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $6K and $10K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$10K
SHARON SHEPHERD
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Relatively distributed, modest-to-medium-sized grants concentrated in a specific rural region; many repeat, multi-year or multiple small awards to the same local institutions (schools, libraries, county/town governments) rather than large single multi-year endowments.
Notable grantees: Auburn University, Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, Breakthrough Charter School, MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, Marion-Perry County Library
Giving is entirely in Alabama, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the state. Activity is concentrated in southwest Alabama communities such as Marion, Selma, Camden, Chatom, Grove Hill, and Demopolis. Marion appears repeatedly through recipients like Breakthrough Charter School and Marion-Perry County Library, while Chatom and Camden also show up more than once through local institutions and regional partners. The geographic pattern matches a local, place-based funder rather than one with multi-state reach.
The foundation funds local schools, libraries, county and city governments, rescue squads, conservation districts, and community service organizations. Recent recipients include Auburn University, Washington County Commission, Selma Dallas County Rescue Squad, and Marengo County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The middle of the distribution is modest: the 25th percentile is $6,123, the median is $8,421, and the 75th percentile is $10,456. Some grants are larger, including a $50,000 award and several awards in the $15,000 to $20,000 range.
No. All 99 grants in the recipient-country distribution went to the United States, and 100% of the grants in the state distribution went to Alabama recipients.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Auburn University, Marion-Perry County Library, Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, and Breakthrough Charter School. That suggests continuing relationships with local institutions rather than isolated awards.
The strongest themes are education, community development, and rural public services. Grants support K–12 schools, libraries, local government projects, emergency response organizations, and conservation/land stewardship work.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUBURN UNIVERSITY | AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL | $31,131 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HILCREST HIGH SCHOOL | EVERGREEN, AL | $26,514 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SELMA DALLAS COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD | SELMA, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| CITY OF MARION | MARION, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| MILLRY HIGH SCHOOL | MILLRY, AL | $16,684 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BREAKTHROUGH CHARTER SCHOOL | MARION, AL | $16,057 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CLARKE COUNTY COMMISSION | GROVE HILL, AL | $15,672 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ALABAMA TOMBIGBEE REGIONAL COMMISSION | CAMDEN, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WASHUINGTON COUNTTY HIGH SCHOOL | CHATOM, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| PRESTWICK COMMUNITY OUTREACH | LEROY, AL | $11,123 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SELMA POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE | SELMA, AL | $10,374 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CITY OF DEMOPOLIS FIRE & RESCUE | DEMOPOLIS, AL | $10,123 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CAMDEN COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER | CAMDEN, AL | $10,086 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WASHINGTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOLL | CHATOM, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CONECUH COUNTY SOILD & WTER DISTRICT | EVERGREEN, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SW ALABAMA | THOMASVILLE, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GROVE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GROVE HILL, AL | $9,602 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SELMA REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY | SELMA, AL | $9,172 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| HARVEST MINISTRIES | LISMAN, AL | $9,172 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FAITH GROCERIES | BUTLER, AL | $9,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PARTNERS IN PROGRESS | PINE APPLE, AL | $8,200 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BOBCATS NATION PTO | FAUNSDALE, AL | $8,057 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MARENGO COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT | LINDEN, AL | $8,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE | MARION, AL | $8,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ALL 4 PAWS | THOMASVILLE, AL | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DEEP SOUTH FOOD ALLIANCE | SAFFORD, AL | $8,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CLARKE COUNTY KINGDOM BUILDERS | JACKSON, AL | $8,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MARENGO COUNTY COMMISSION | LINDEN, AL | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| TOWN OF EXCEL | EXCEL, AL | $7,086 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MT PLEASANT HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY | URIAH, AL | $7,086 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BLACKBELT WOMEN RISING | UNIONTOWN, AL | $6,900 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CHOCTAW COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD | BUTLER, AL | $6,866 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SOUTH MARENGO FIRE & RESCUE SQUAD | SWEET WATER, AL | $6,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CASTLEBERRY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER | CASTLEBERRY, AL | $6,123 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| EXCEL SCHOOL | MONROEVILLE, AL | $6,123 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL | JACKSON, AL | $6,123 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MCRAE GAINES LEARNING CENTER | SELMA, AL | $5,187 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LIBERTY LEARNING FOUNDATION | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $5,187 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CENTRAL ALABAMA REGIONAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER | SELMA, AL | $5,187 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNITED WAY OF SELMA & DALLAS COUNTY | SELMA, AL | $5,187 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| DIXON MILLS VFD | DIXONS MILLS, AL | $5,172 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AUBURN UNIVERSITY | AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL | $44,798 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| BREAKTHROUGH CHARTER SCHOOL | MARION, AL | $16,661 | 2024 | ED/GEN |
| MARION-PERRY COUNTY LIBRARY | MARION, AL | $16,000 | 2024 | ED/GEN |
| GROVE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GROVE HILL, AL | $15,750 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | TUSCALOOSA, AL | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| MARENGO COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT | LINDEN, AL | $13,246 | 2024 | ED/GEN |
| ALABAMA TOMBIGBEE REGIONAL COMMISSION | CAMDEN, AL | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL |
| CENTRAL ALABAMA REGIONAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER | SELMA, AL | $10,871 | 2024 | ED/GEN |
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
$31,131EDUCATION
HILCREST HIGH SCHOOL
$26,514EDUCATION
SELMA DALLAS COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD
$25,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF MARION
$20,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MILLRY HIGH SCHOOL
$16,684EDUCATION
BREAKTHROUGH CHARTER SCHOOL
$16,057EDUCATION
CLARKE COUNTY COMMISSION
GENERAL
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
$15,000GENERAL
ALABAMA TOMBIGBEE REGIONAL COMMISSION
$15,000EDUCATION
WASHUINGTON COUNTTY HIGH SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL
PRESTWICK COMMUNITY OUTREACH
$11,123EDUCATION
SELMA POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE
$10,374EDUCATION
CITY OF DEMOPOLIS FIRE & RESCUE
$10,123EDUCATION
CAMDEN COMMUNITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$10,086EDUCATION
WASHINGTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOLL
$10,000EDUCATION
CONECUH COUNTY SOILD & WTER DISTRICT
$10,000EDUCATION
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SW ALABAMA
$10,000EDUCATION
GROVE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$9,602EDUCATION
SELMA REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
$9,172GENERAL
HARVEST MINISTRIES
$9,172GENERAL
FAITH GROCERIES
$9,000EDUCATION
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
$8,200GENERAL
BOBCATS NATION PTO
$8,057EDUCATION
MARENGO COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$8,000EDUCATION
MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE
$8,000EDUCATION
ALL 4 PAWS
$8,000GENERAL
DEEP SOUTH FOOD ALLIANCE
$8,000EDUCATION
CLARKE COUNTY KINGDOM BUILDERS
$8,000GENERAL
MARENGO COUNTY COMMISSION
$7,500GENERAL
TOWN OF EXCEL
$7,086GENERAL
MT PLEASANT HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY
$7,086GENERAL
BLACKBELT WOMEN RISING
$6,900EDUCATION
CHOCTAW COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD
$6,866EDUCATION
SOUTH MARENGO FIRE & RESCUE SQUAD
$6,500GENERAL
CASTLEBERRY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$6,123EDUCATION
EXCEL SCHOOL
$6,123EDUCATION
JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
$6,123EDUCATION
MCRAE GAINES LEARNING CENTER
$5,187EDUCATION
LIBERTY LEARNING FOUNDATION
$5,187EDUCATION
CENTRAL ALABAMA REGIONAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER
$5,187EDUCATION
UNITED WAY OF SELMA & DALLAS COUNTY
$5,187EDUCATION
DIXON MILLS VFD
$5,172GENERAL
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
$44,798EDUCATION
BREAKTHROUGH CHARTER SCHOOL
$16,661ED/GEN
MARION-PERRY COUNTY LIBRARY
$16,000ED/GEN
GROVE HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$15,750EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
$15,000GENERAL
MARENGO COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$13,246ED/GEN
ALABAMA TOMBIGBEE REGIONAL COMMISSION
$12,000GENERAL
CENTRAL ALABAMA REGIONAL CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER
$10,871ED/GEN