Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs

• The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Interior --- Land and Water Conservation Fund, provides funding to Alabama cities and counties to develop playgrounds, outdoor playing fields and parks. Since 1965, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has granted 26,420 awards for recreation development, as of 2011. During the 2010 fiscal year, the Land and Water Conservation Fund allocated $599,486 to Alabama. Playgrounds or outdoor playing fields funded through this program are prohibited from being converted into anything other than public outdoor recreational spaces without prior approval.
  
  

Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

• The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham provides grants to nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount and Walker counties. Close to $1 million in awards were made in the 2011 grant cycle. The grant focuses on improving the community in a variety of areas. The South Highland Child Development Center, for example, received a grant for $5,000 to renovate the center's playground. To receive a grant award, an organization must be a registered 501c3 nonprofit. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis through an online application system.
  
  

J.L. Bedsole Foundation

• The J.L. Bedsole Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe and Washington counties to support playgrounds in these communities. The grant must serve economically disadvantaged youth or those in rural communities. Also, the nonprofit organization must demonstrate there are multiple sources of support for the project. The grant application should include the organization's mission statement, goals and objectives, a project budget, a copy of the 501c3 IRS determination letter and a current operating budget. Grants aren't made directly to individuals.
  
  

Walker Area Community Foundation

• The Walker Area Community Foundation provides grants to nonprofit and community organization throughout Walker County. The foundation has a number of grants that help nonprofit organizations impact the community in a variety of ways. The Jasper Recreational Fund, for example, is dedicated to supporting the expansion of recreational opportunities and programs. The grant provides funding to the Accessible Playground Extreme EXperience, located at the Memorial Park Natatorium. Memorial Park is Jasper's oldest and largest park and received a grant for continuing efforts to make improvements to the playground.