Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) funding program

Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) funding program is sponsored by City of Birmingham, Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. The BOLD program awards public funds to businesses to promote economic development in Birmingham. The city selects recipients based on proposed work in areas such as small businesses, workforce development, eliminating barriers, creative placemaking, and high-growth industries.

The City of Birmingham awards $1. 2 million to organizations to facilitate economic development through BOLD program | City of Birmingham, Alabama The City of Birmingham awards $1. 2 million to organizations to facilitate economic development through BOLD program The City of Birmingham awards $1.

2 million to organizations to facilitate economic development through BOLD program The City of Birmingham has awarded over $1. 2 million to twelve local organizations to fund innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing Birmingham’s economic landscape.

The BOLD program—Building Opportunities for Lasting Development—offers financial support to organizations and agencies implementing creative, evidence-based solutions to address a range of community challenges. “It’s truly inspiring to see our local organizations and small businesses driving growth and creating opportunity across Birmingham,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin.

“By dedicating resources to these committed partners, we are investing directly into the heartbeat of our community, and ensuring a stronger, more prosperous future for every resident.

Funding was allocated across five categories: Small businesses: provide resources to Birmingham entrepreneurs and small business owners who have been in operation in Birmingham for over two years, generating revenue of less than $400,000, to sustain or scale their businesses.

Workforce development: implement a strategy for Birmingham residents to access good jobs through training, education, and job-readiness interventions that are directly connected to employer demand, with a focus on dismantling barriers that limit labor force participation.

Eliminating barriers: promote economic prosperity within the City of Birmingham (e.g., access to training, scholarships, transportation, healthcare, childcare, food access, housing, etc.) Creative placemaking: advance economic resilience, mobility, and inclusive growth in Birmingham’s neighborhoods High-Growth Industries: use data-driven and innovative approaches to invest in Birmingham’s high-growth, high-demand industries (e.g., clean energy, construction, medical, technology, advanced manufacturing, etc.) The majority of awardees are neighborhood-based or focused.

These projects collectively align with all BOLD objectives, showcasing a strong commitment to community development Here are each of the organizations’ plans for moving forward: The Alabama Center for Employee Ownership will support small businesses in Birmingham, preserve quality jobs, and eliminate barriers to retirement for entrepreneurs, fostering wealth generation for workers.

$93,055 Be Kind Birmingham will expand its mobile pop-up store to underserved communities in Birmingham by removing transportation barriers and partnering with libraries and local organizations to deliver essential resources. This effort will provide individuals with basic necessities, clothing, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and access to mental health services, promoting self-sufficiency and community empowerment.

$71,450 Breakthrough Birmingham will provide one-on-one coaching and mentorship to first and second-year teachers. The program aims to enhance their knowledge and skills in culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching, classroom management, time management, effective teaching strategies, and maintaining work/life balance.

$110,000 Community on the Rise will empower women survivors who have experienced homelessness, provide jobs, launch a Rent-to HOME pathway, and place recycled plastic products, created by the survivors, in ten retail stores. $75,740 CREED Foundation will expand support for historically underserved and small business owners through PACE, a 16-week business development curriculum.

PACE closes critical gaps in financial literacy, credit readiness, legal compliance, and operational capacity through group instruction and one-on-one mentorship. $94,402. 50 Forge Forward will conduct two 12-week accelerator programs using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to help established small business owners achieve early-stage profitability through operational and strategic growth .

$142. 502. 40 Hope Inspired Ministries will empower unemployed and underemployed Birmingham residents with a holistic package of support, including life coaching, case management, transportation, assistance with obtaining a valid ID, and counseling.

Participants will also earn industry-recognized credentials and complete internships with local employers. $115,008 HUB Worldwide will supply essential medical supplies and equipment to support five ARMS clinic locations and their mobile unit, serving uninsured and underinsured patients in priority neighborhoods.

The initiative also includes quarterly trauma training for community members and clinic staff to enhance emergency response capacity in high-need areas. $73,887. 62 Measured Access will launch Capital Innovation to eliminate barriers, enhance workforce development, and support small businesses.

Its core programming includes angel investor training, entrepreneurship development for students and professionals, and a community-wide innovation summit. $121,000 Flourish Alabama will continue to transform Ensley into a vibrant arts district through public art, cultural programming, and community design. This includes training students, providing paid fellowships, and earning certifications.

Flourish will reactivate vacant storefronts, support small businesses, and create jobs, while engaging community members through events and producing a feature-length documentary. $139,000 The Pulse Finders, LLC will support a community-centered emergency response training program aimed at improving cardiac arrest survival rates, reducing health disparities, and creating workforce development pathways.

They will train individuals in Hands-Only CPR, Basic Life Support, Heartsaver CPR/AED, Opioid Overdose Response, and Stop the Bleed techniques. The initiative will also certify CPR instructors and engage volunteers. $83,240 United Ability will support the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Initiative, which focuses on fostering employer partnerships in manufacturing.

The program has established pre-apprentice worksites that meet National Apprenticeship Standards, providing youth with disabilities with competitive and marketable skills. $108,000 “The BOLD funding program is more than just a grant—it’s a foundational investment strategy,” said Coreata Houser, interim director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity.

“Now entering its eighth year, BOLD serves as the engine that empowers our community partners. They are the ones elevating the daily lives of our residents, creating the vibrant environment necessary to spark widespread economic opportunity in every one of Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods. ” Since BOLD began, the funding program has successfully distributed $5.

4 million to 57 organizations. To ensure accountability and strategic alignment, the funding process involves a rigorous, interdepartmental review by the City of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council. All grant recipients must provide frequent performance updates for thorough assessment and evaluation throughout their performance period.

For more information, go to ieo. birminghamal. gov/bold/ Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity