BOLD Economic Development Program Applications Open, Up to $1.5M Available from City of Birmingham

Compiled From Online Reports

The City of Birmingham is accepting proposals for its 2027-2028 Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) funding program.

The City of Birmingham’s IEO is providing funding to organizations with evidence-based proposals that promote economic development, resilience, and mobility across our communities. The initiative provides financial support to organizations working to advance economic development across the city.

“Birmingham’s local organizations are essential allies in delivering transformative outcomes for our city,” Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said last year about the program. “We are committed to investing in initiatives that strengthen economic opportunity and community well-being. Continued support for BOLD awardees is a strategic decision, one that fuels resident empowerment, sparks neighborhood revitalization, and fosters stronger, more connected communities.

Applications are encouraged from nonprofits, post-secondary education institutions, and relevant for-profit enterprises. The proposal submission deadline is August 13.

To qualify for BOLD funding, applicants must:

• Be a firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private (documentation required in application for verification). No individuals may apply. Applications are encouraged from Alabama-recognized non-profit organizations (IRC Section 501(c)(3) entities preferred), post-secondary education institutions, and relevant for-profit enterprises, particularly those with a social impact focus. Minority-, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MWDBEs) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Provide a cost matching plan, with matching funds secured at a rate of 20% of the total project budget (not 20% of the amount of funds requested from BOLD). For example, if an application has a total project budget of $250,000, the proposal may request up to $200,000 from BOLD and provide the other $50,000 toward the project as leveraged funding. Proposals that do not meet the 20% leveraged funding requirement of the total project budget will not be eligible for consideration.
• Demonstrate organizational fiscal sustainability by uploading financial documentation to the application, including 1) a Profit and Loss Statement, and 2) IRS form 990 or 990-N (if tax-exempt entity) OR a recent audit report (if for-profit entity).

Funding Restrictions:

• Funding for construction will not be provided.
• Any equipment over $5,000 will require prior approval from IEO.
• Most BOLD awards range from $50,000 to $150,000, though compelling proposals for other funding amounts will be considered.
• The specific project that is proposed for BOLD funding cannot be supported by other City funding sources (i.e. the budget narrative for the proposal should not include other City of Birmingham funding sources).

Established in 2018, the BOLD program supports projects focused on five priority areas: small business development, workforce development, eliminating barriers to opportunity, creative placemaking, and high-growth industries. Since its launch, the program has awarded $6.2 million to 66 local organizations. Up to $1.5 million has been allocated for the program in the city’s FY27 budget.

A public information session will be held via Webex on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. Additional information about the funding opportunity is available at https://ieo.birminghamal.gov/bold.