The Impact of the Community Assistance Fund
By: Alexandra Hutson

Each year the Junior League of Mobile grants funds to non-profit organizations in the community that are not currently one of their partners through the Community Assistance Fund. While importance is placed on volunteerism, the league also recognizes the many financial needs in the community. 

This is where the Community Assistance Fund comes in. The Fund enables the league to respond financially to needs and opportunities within their impact area, Healthy Children: Hunger, Nutrition and Fitness.

For the year of 2022-2023, two organizations were granted the Community Assistance Fund: Education 4 Life, Inc and United Methodist Inner City Mission. 

Education 4 Life, Inc began in 2010 and developed a targeted program for mostly at-risk youth in the Mobile Metropolitan area. It is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to empower grade level students to succeed and excel to collegiate levels by helping them improve and maximize GPA and ACT scores. The organization assists in achieving a 100% graduation rate or grade promotion rate. Education 4 Life, Inc works offers both tutoring and college preparation. 

The United Methodist Inner City Mission serves the greater Oakdale-Maysville community through a Christ-centered, holistic ministry. They have a wide range of programs that are provided in a safe, loving, and secure environment for people of all ages, regardless of race, religion, or creed. The organization offers recreation, enrichment and educational programs for youth and seniors, emergency services for families in crisis, safe evening shelter for homeless single women through McKemie Place, and community development for Oakdale-Maysville residents. Their mission is to provide hope and change by giving children, youth and families the help that they need to improve their lives.

The Community Assistance Fund Application period for 2024 was from August 1 through October 7. We look forward to awarding more worthy nonprofits the grants they need to expand or improve their services. In order to be considered, the following requirements must be met:

• Funds may only be granted to non-profit, tax exempt organizations having proof of 501(c)3 authorization, schools that have public school status, or religious agencies which benefit the general public.
• All grants must be for programs/funding that is consistent with the mission and focus of JLM. Our current focus area is: Healthy Children: Hunger, Nutrition & Fitness.
• Organization has not received CAF monies within the past 24 months.
• JLM partner agencies that receive JLM volunteers and/or programming funds are not eligible for CAF funds.