Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/540607
T PowerofGood.com | Elevate Alabama 11 Elevate grant program evolves to offer more support to recipients "to continue to groW and help others be successful, we have to keep up with the latest technological advances," said John Hudson, presi- dent of the Alabama Power Founda- tion, at Elevate 2015. "I realize that's a little easier said than done, so I am pleased to announce that we have a solution." To close this year's conference, Hudson announced that the Elevate grant program is getting an upgrade. Along with the benefits included in the original grant package, recipients will now receive technology as- sistance to boost their community impact. Last year, the Alabama Power Foundation announced the kickoff of the grant program at the confer- ence. In its first year, the program provided funds and training to 13 recipi- ents. The grant pack- age included $15,000; $10,000 awarded in 2014 and $5,000 awarded as a challenge grant in 2015. Additionally, last year's grant recipients were invited to attend two capacity-building workshops led by Shannon Ammons, CEO of the Alabama Association of Non- profits. These workshops not only helped the organizations strengthen management skills and identify areas to improve their practices, they also let attendees network with other recipients. As a result, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Alabama assisted the nearby Weldy Home for Children with much-needed facility repairs. "The Elevate grant program is the foundation's way of showing our partners that we can and want to be more than just a check," said Hudson. "We want to offer assistance in many different ways, assistance that will spark continu- ous change and advancement for organizations doing great things for the state." This year the program of- fers more services that may help recipients grow stronger. The foundation has partnered with TechBridge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that assists other non- profits with technol- ogy needs. Up to 14 2015-2016 Elevate grantees will receive organizational tech- nology assessments, which will provide a detailed look at their infrastructure and needs. The assessment includes a plan for the future, so grantees use technology to the best of their abili- ties. This technology component of the grant will assist nonprofits in filling some of the hardware and software gaps that TechBridge iden- tifies in their assessment. "TechBridge is honored to partner with the Alabama Power Foundation to bring the leverage of technology to its Elevate grantees," said James Franklin, CEO of Tech- Bridge. "As a nonprofit ourselves, we are uniquely positioned to apply business strategies and technology to grow their capacity to serve the Alabama community." The application period for the 2015-2016 Elevate grants began June 12 and will end Aug. 14. Recipients will be announced in the fall. To learn more about Elevate and other initiatives of the Alabama Power Foundation, or to access the online application, please visit www.powerofgood.com. StOry by aLLISOn SWagLer pHOtOS by Wynter byrD Alabama Power Foundation President John Hudson announces TechBridge's involvement in the 2015-2016 Elevate grant program.