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BBCF hands out nearly $350k in grants

The Black Belt Community Foundation is making its presence felt once again.

The organization distributed its grants for the 2025 year on Saturday at the Earl Goodwin Theater on the campus of Wallace Community College Selma.

A total of $344,447.20 was awarded through 141 one-year project grants to 126 different community organizations.

BBCF board chairman Kennard Randolph said he was excited to be a part of the ceremony, and he wanted to thank the associates who helped make this happen.

“We cannot forget our community associates as well,” said BBCF board chairman Kennard Randolph. “Thank you to you for all of the hard work. Without them the resources would not be reaching each of your communities

Darlene G. Robinson, current board member, said BBCF is happy to support the arts.

“Art is important to our culture. It reflects, preserves and shapes society. It serves as a mirror to the cultural values, history and experiences, acting as a tool for understanding, for connection and for change. Art captures the essence of our culture’s values, beliefs and traditions,” Robinson said.

“And that’s why the Black Belt Community Foundation continues because it is a catalyst that helps us do the work that we need to do.”

The event was a celebration of the hard work and dedication for each of the organizations that are making a difference in the communities of the foundation’s 12-county area.

“We are here to celebrate our counties,” said former BBCF board member and mistress of ceremony Lillian Wideman. “We are here to celebrate what each of you are doing.”

Agencies receiving BBCF Arts Grants includes ArtsRevive CDC, It Takes A Village/Dallas County, Charity Fellowship Outreach, Fathers of St. Edmund, Southern Missions, inc., Making Art Connections Across Selma and the Orrville Volunteer Fire Department.

Dallas County agencies receiving BBCF Community Grants include Angel of Faith Outreach, Bridge Builders for Intergenerational Communities (BBIC), Charity Fellowship Outreach, City Blocks Project Wellness Center, E.M. Brown Community Center, Foot Soldiers Park Inc., Five Points Community Development Center, Fourth Judicial Circuit Community Corrections Program, It Takes A Village/Dallas County, LIFT Ministry, One House Inc., Parklane Estates Homeowners Association Inc., Selma Area Food Bank, Selma University, Son of Greatness and VIP Organization, Inc.

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee also received a BBCF festival grant.

A complete list of the grants awarded is available at: blackbeltfound.org/2025grants.