To carry out plans of action for the accelerated conservation, development, and proper use of the area’s resources, resulting in an improved economic and physical environment.
Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc. funds place-based projects that aim to accelerate conservation, development, and the proper use of local resources. The stated purpose is tied to improved economic and physical conditions, and that shows up in its grantmaking across community development, environmental conservation, education, parks and recreation, first responder support, habitat and water quality projects, and workforce training. The recent grants list shows a strong pattern of support for local public institutions and community organizations in central Alabama. Walker County Commission received $47,500 for challenge/community development work, while Walker County Schools received $29,991 for education. Other sizable awards went to the Town of Hayden for community development and to Jones Valley Teaching Farm for education. The foundation also backs local infrastructure and service providers, including city governments, schools, fire districts, and community nonprofits. Its program structure reinforces that mix of conservation and community improvement. Cawaco administers the Holle Family Foundation in central Alabama, runs the Free Seeds for Alabama resource for gardening projects, and offers internship support for conservation- and agriculture-related training. Across these programs and grants, the funder centers practical projects that connect environmental stewardship with local economic and civic capacity.
Education is one of the clearest themes in the grant list. Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc. gave $29,991 to Walker County Schools for education and $25,000 to Jones Valley Teaching Farm for education, showing support for both public school systems and hands-on learning programs. Community development is another major lane. The foundation awarded $25,000 to the Town of Hayden for community development and $24,750 to Walker County Commission for community development, alongside other local government and civic recipients. They also fund first responder and public-safety needs. Awards include $18,000 to Cahaba Valley Fire and Emergency Medical and $13,000 to North Shelby Fire District, both in Birmingham. Environmental and land-based work appears through grants such as $13,000 to Friends of the Locust Fork River for impact, reflecting the foundation’s interest in habitat, water quality, and conservation-related projects.
$791K
$2.5M
$3.1M
$2.5M
Most grants fall between $8K and $12K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$12K
PAUL MCCALEB
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Typical awards cluster in the low five-figure range: the 25th percentile is $7,500, the median is $9,302, and the 75th percentile is $12,307. The recent grant list also includes larger project awards above that range, especially for community development, education, and public services. This looks like recurring local funding rather than a one-off campaign. Walker County Commission, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, and Blount County Education Foundation each appear in multiple grant years, and several city, school, and county recipients recur as well. The foundation’s programs also show structured, project-specific support, including reimbursement-based grants and internship support. Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc. operates as a place-based funder with active programs and administrative services, not as an individual-giving vehicle or program-related investment funder.
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Alabama: 97% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the recipient-country data shows all grants in the US. The strongest city clusters in the recent list are in Jasper, Birmingham, Oneonta, and Clanton, with other awards going to Hayden, Calera, Dora, Prattville, Cordova, Auburn University, and Blountsville. The footprint is local and centered on central Alabama communities within the Cawaco service area.
Its stated focus includes community development, environmental conservation, environmental education, parks and recreation, first responder support, habitat and water quality projects, and internships/workforce training. The grant list also shows education and community improvement as recurring purposes.
The typical grant size is fairly compact: the 25th percentile is $7,500, the median is $9,302, and the 75th percentile is $12,307. Recent awards also include larger project grants above $20,000 and smaller internship support grants up to $1,000 per intern through a program.
Its giving is highly concentrated in Alabama, with 97% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list is dominated by Alabama cities and counties, especially Jasper, Birmingham, Oneonta, and Clanton.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Walker County Commission, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, and Blount County Education Foundation. That pattern suggests repeated support for some local institutions and community projects rather than entirely one-time grants.
Active programs include the Cawaco Grant Program for community improvement, education, first responder support, parks and recreation, and environmental/conservation projects; Free Seeds for Alabama for gardening projects; RC&D Grows Gardens for school and community gardens; and the Cawaco Internship Program for conservation, agriculture, wildlife, and habitat management training.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development Council that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Gardens must operate to serve the community. Examples mentioned include student, senior, veteran, and shelter-serving gardens.
Who can apply: Organizations hosting high school or college interns in conservation, agriculture, wildlife, habitat management, or related fields. (Contact Cawaco for details.)
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF TRUSSVILLE | TRUSSVILLE, AL | $30,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| CALERA MAIN STREET | CALERA, AL | $29,350 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| ADY'S BIG ARMY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $29,304 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| CAWACO RC&D INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $23,972 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| FRIENDS OF DOWNTOWN JASPER (DBA JASPER MAIN STREET) | JASPER, AL | $20,950 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| FRIENDS OF THE LOCUST FORK RIVER | CLEVELAND, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| CHILTON COUNTY FIRST RESPONSE ENDOWMENT FUND | CLANTON, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| JASPER CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM | JASPER, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| ELEVATE BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CHANGED LIVES CHRISTIAN CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO FOUNDATION | MONTEVALLO, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| LUPTON JR HIGH SCHOOL | NAUVOO, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| WALKER COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT | JASPER, AL | $15,572 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THE LOVELADY CENTER | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| APPALACHIAN SCHOOL | ONEONTA, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| PELHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT | PELHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| LINDA NOLEN LEARNING CENTER | PELHAM, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| LEEDS MAIN STREET | LEEDS, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| WALKER COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY INC | JASPER, AL | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CAWACO RC&D INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $14,249 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| BLOUNT COUNTY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ONEONTA, AL | $13,733 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| OAKMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT | OAKMAN, AL | $12,200 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| JEFFERSON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT | BESSEMER, AL | $12,090 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HAYDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL | HAYDEN, AL | $12,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| PLEASANT GROVE FIRE & RESCUE | PLEASANT GROVE, AL | $11,579 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| BLOUNT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MEMORIAL MUSEUM | ONEONTA, AL | $10,823 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION | ONEONTA, AL | $10,311 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CITY OF MORRIS | MORRIS, AL | $10,200 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| MCCOLLUM-MIDWAY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT | JASPER, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| ROOTS OF NOURISHMENT | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| CAPSTONE HEALTH | PARRISH, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| SUMITON FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE | SUMITON, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| WALKER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | JASPER, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| BUTTERFLY BRIDGE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | CLANTON, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| CHILTON COUNTY COMMISSION | CLANTON, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| CITY OF JEMISON ALABAMA POLICE DEPARTMENT | JEMISON, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| REMLAP FIRE & EMS DISTRICT INC | REMLAP, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THE PENNY FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SUMMIT VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE SQUAD | BLOUNTSVILLE, AL | $9,900 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| GRAYSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT | GRAYSVILLE, AL | $9,756 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| CAWACO RC&D INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $9,522 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| THE ARC OF WALKER COUNTY | JASPER, AL | $9,175 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CEDAR GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT | CLANTON, AL | $9,153 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| GRANTSWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL | IRONDALE, AL | $9,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| DUNNAVANT FIRE DISTRICT | LEEDS, AL | $8,995 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| MIDFIELDHOLT COMMUNITY GARDEN BY JEFFERSON COUNTY MASTER GARDNER ORGANIZA | FAIRFIELD, AL | $8,918 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| GRACE HOUSE MINISTRIES | FAIRFIELD, AL | $8,750 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CITY OF CLANTON | CLANTON, AL | $8,700 | 2026 | IMPACT |
| BLOUNT COUNTY COURTHOUSE | ONEONTA, AL | $8,520 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
CITY OF TRUSSVILLE
$30,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CALERA MAIN STREET
$29,350IMPACT
ADY'S BIG ARMY
$29,304IMPACT
FRIENDS OF DOWNTOWN JASPER (DBA JASPER MAIN STREET)
$20,950IMPACT
FRIENDS OF THE LOCUST FORK RIVER
$20,000IMPACT
CHILTON COUNTY FIRST RESPONSE ENDOWMENT FUND
$20,000EDUCATION
JASPER CITY SCHOOL SYSTEM
$20,000EDUCATION
CHANGED LIVES CHRISTIAN CENTER
$20,000EDUCATION
LUPTON JR HIGH SCHOOL
$20,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WALKER COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$15,572EDUCATION
HOOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
$15,000EDUCATION
APPALACHIAN SCHOOL
$15,000EDUCATION
PELHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT
$15,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
LINDA NOLEN LEARNING CENTER
$15,000EDUCATION
LEEDS MAIN STREET
$15,000IMPACT
WALKER COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY INC
$15,000EDUCATION
OAKMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
$12,200IMPACT
JEFFERSON COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$12,090EDUCATION
HAYDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
$12,000EDUCATION
PLEASANT GROVE FIRE & RESCUE
$11,579IMPACT
BLOUNT COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$10,823EDUCATION
BLOUNT COUNTY FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
$10,311EDUCATION
CITY OF MORRIS
$10,200EDUCATION
MCCOLLUM-MIDWAY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT
$10,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ROOTS OF NOURISHMENT
$10,000IMPACT
CAPSTONE HEALTH
$10,000IMPACT
SUMITON FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
$10,000EDUCATION
WALKER COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$10,000IMPACT
CHILTON COUNTY COMMISSION
$10,000IMPACT
CITY OF JEMISON ALABAMA POLICE DEPARTMENT
$10,000IMPACT
REMLAP FIRE & EMS DISTRICT INC
$10,000EDUCATION
SUMMIT VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE SQUAD
$9,900EDUCATION
GRAYSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
$9,756IMPACT
THE ARC OF WALKER COUNTY
$9,175EDUCATION
CEDAR GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT
$9,153IMPACT
GRANTSWOOD COMMUNITY SCHOOL
$9,000EDUCATION
DUNNAVANT FIRE DISTRICT
$8,995IMPACT
MIDFIELDHOLT COMMUNITY GARDEN BY JEFFERSON COUNTY MASTER GARDNER ORGANIZA
$8,918EDUCATION
CITY OF CLANTON
$8,700IMPACT
BLOUNT COUNTY COURTHOUSE
$8,520EDUCATION
