Grant money was the topic of last night’s Black Belt Community Foundation meeting.

Explaining a grant application process to a crowd of about a dozen, Foundation leaders described how diverse community projects in Dallas County could be funded.

The Foundation awards grants of $500 to $2,500 to community oriented non-profits.

“Our grants are what they call mini-grants,” Tarana Burke, Regional Field Representative, said.

The money is intended to fund small investment projects with big impacts, organizers said.

Felecia Jones, Black Belt Community Foundation Director, gave examples of groups like a rural childcare project funded by the organization.

Twenty women were trained in home childcare management, creating 20 jobs and providing other women with low-cost childcare.

Another project included the Foundation’s funding of Selma AIR’s AIDS education program.

“We’re going to work for all parts of the community,” Jones said.

Jones explained the basics of the grant application procedure at the meeting, but said it was a flexible program.

Non-profit, community-minded organizations are asked to prepare a four-page application.

After reviewing the applications, due in June, the Foundation will award grants in September.

The Black Belt Foundation is funded by several other philanthropic groups, like the Ford Foundation, the Babcock Fund, the UPS Foundation and others.

“We’re so grateful for the funding,” Jones said.

She pointed out that the Black Belt Community Foundation is attempting to continue giving for years to come.

“We want to form a collective stream of giving,” Jones said.