What We Fund

Wiregrass Foundation makes grants to nonprofit community organizations that positively impact the health, education, and quality of life of the Dothan area. The Foundation carefully considers its mission when investing in community programs and is committed to achieving measurable results within its zones of interest.

Grants are made to eligible organizations that serve the population residing within one or more of the four counties of Houston, Henry, Dale, and Geneva, AL.

Organizations that have met one of the following criteria for at least the last 2 years are eligible to apply:

  • A tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (which includes religious, charitable, educational, scientific, and certain other organizations) that is not a private foundation. (Organizations receiving tax-exempt status pursuant to a Form 1023-EZ may be required to provide additional information prior to consideration of their grant applications); or
  • A private operating foundation described in Section 4940(d) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
  • An organization described in Section 170(c)(1) (governmental entities) or Section 511(a)(2)(B) (state colleges and universities) of the Internal Revenue Code.

It Is Our Policy Not To Fund

Grants are not made to private foundations, supporting organizations described in Section 509(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, private or publicly held corporations, limited liability companies, or partnerships.

It is not our policy to fund: churches, political organizations or causes, grants outside of the defined service area, individuals or fraternal bodies, ongoing general operating expenses, projects of a national or statewide scope, fundraisers, or individual scholarships.

It is the responsibility of the applicant organization to ensure that the size of a grant from Wiregrass Foundation relative to its other sources of gifts and income will not cause the organization to automatically convert to private foundation tax status under certain Internal Revenue Service regulations. (See IRS public support test).

Publicity Guidelines

It is not the practice of WF to initiate publicity regarding grants awarded. Nor do we require grantees to do so. WF would like the focus of any project to be on the good work being accomplished, not on the funders.

However, if your organization is planning to publicize a project to which WF has been a major contributor, please include Wiregrass Foundation. Examples of these projects are:

For a news release about a project for which WF is the primary or major funder:
A statement within the release that this project was made possible, in part, through a grant by Wiregrass Foundation.

For a news release about a project for which WF is one of several contributors:
Include Wiregrass Foundation if you plan to list your funders.

For a website dedicated to a project for which WF is one of several contributors:
Include Wiregrass Foundation if you plan to list your funders.

For a printed program and/or announcements from the stage for a celebration (i.e., ribbon cutting, grand opening, participant graduation, etc.) of a program in which WF is a contributor:
List Wiregrass Foundation on the printed programs, or include in the list of names read, if you plan to acknowledge funders.

Grantees may, at their discretion, include the amount of the Foundation grant, but should not feel compelled to do so. All WF grant information is public domain.