By 
November 22, 2024
The City of Huntsville makes appropriations to numerous nonprofits and organizations each year that enhance the culture, community, education, recreation, public safety and other essential aspects of a growing community.
In fiscal year 2025 (FY25), the City will deliver appropriations to 38 nonprofit agencies and organizations totaling $3,310,996.
The selection process
To be considered for funding, agencies submit an application that outlines its mission and the specific project as well as information about its overall budget and the percentage of its clients who live in Huntsville.
Those agencies selected are then asked to send a six-month utilization report to the City for review and to deliver presentations at City Council meetings to explain how they use their allocated funds and the ways in which they benefit residents.
Over the next weeks on City Blog, we’ll highlight the nonprofits and organizations that will receive appropriations in FY25 and their work to better our community.
Supporting homeless families
The $10,000 FY25 appropriation for the Family Services Center (FSC) will help cover case management and maintenance costs for the 19 properties in its Living in Family Transition (LIFT) housing program, which serves homeless families with dependent children.
Executive Director Darin Geiger highlighted the dual role of the LIFT program, providing both emergency shelter and transitional housing. He noted LIFT’s significant impact, with several participants achieving long-term success.
“Two of our current board members started in emergency shelter housing through LIFT, transitioned to permanent housing, and eventually became homeowners, thanks to the financial literacy and first-time homebuyer counseling we offer,” Geiger said. “The LIFT program is a key tool in fulfilling our mission of fostering healthier families and stronger communities.”
Training the next generation of construction workers
The North Alabama Homebuilding Academy (NAHA), which opened its doors in January 2020 and provides free, hands-on, short-term training to individuals seeking to enter the residential construction industry, has seen similar success in the 506 cohorts who have graduated from the program since its inception.
Student using a pneumatic nailer at the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy
Executive Director Tommy Davis, whose background is in public education, explained that the funding from the City of Huntsville goes toward the costs related to materials, instructors, student tools, academy tools and community/school outreach.
“For instance, we teach our students how to frame a house and construct various other structures,” Davis said. “What many don’t realize is that once the lumber is cut, it can’t be reused, which means we’re constantly purchasing more. The cost of lumber has risen significantly since we first opened.”
Child abuse prevention and recovery
The National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) provided $1.3 million in services to child abuse victims in 2023. The $30,000 FY25 appropriation will help meet the match required for federal grants like those from the Crime Victims Fund.
The mission of the National Children’s Advocacy Center is to champion and strengthen the global response to child abuse.
“NCAC is the model for thousands of organizations and communities worldwide for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC),” said CEO Chris Newlin. “In fact, we were the world’s first CAC, and we provide training, resources and technical assistance on how to adopt the CAC model which is now in place in all 50 U.S. states and 41 countries.”
NCAC’s Huntsville campus houses a multidisciplinary team of forensic interviewers, medical professionals, family advocates, mental health providers, prosecutors, child protective services and law enforcement, including the Huntsville Police Department, all working together to support victims and families.
Click here for a complete list of agencies receiving special appropriations in FY2025.
