Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal funding policies.

According to the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, the sector generates more than $10 billion a year, holds more than $20 billion in assets and employs about 5% of the Alabama workforce. But as financial uncertainty looms, nonprofit leaders say now is the time to strategize.

Danielle Dunbar, the association's executive director, said a summit coming up next week aims to help these organizations navigate the challenges ahead.

"When something comes down like a federal grant freeze," she said, "obviously nonprofits are going to be very concerned about how they're even going to make payroll to keep people in place to do the work, to serve the people."

Dunbar said many Alabama nonprofits rely on federal grants to fund such critical services as emergency food, housing and education for the most vulnerable populations, making policy shifts a significant concern.

The summit will be held Feb. 13-14 in Montgomery. More information is on the Alabama Association of Nonprofits' website.

Dunbar said the summit will also tackle broader challenges beyond funding, emphasizing advocacy and community engagement. She noted that nonprofits must amplify their voices to influence policy and secure resources to sustain their work.

"We are so often at the bottom of the list," she said, "and if we can advocate for ways to change the systems and structures that are holding some of our society back, then that will be such a fantastic thing for the Alabama Association of Nonprofits to be able to help with."

She said people at the summit will also tackle topics such as how to leverage social media, enhance fundraising efforts and foster bipartisan collaboration. She added that it will be about more than discussing challenges; it's about driving meaningful change to ensure Alabama's nonprofits can remain pillars of support in their communities.


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As New Yorkers protest the Trump administration, some groups are advising best practices for protesting. State and national protests are occurring against GOP budget cuts and mass firings of federal employees. These have mostly been peaceful actions, but with emotions running high, there can be some incidents of violence.

Kalaya'an Mendoza, head of U.S. programs with Nonviolent Peaceforce, says having a safety plan is the best way to stay safe at a protest.

"What that looks like could be everything from making sure you have a buddy to doing some research about where the protest is happening to find your primary and secondary exit points, to also knowing who the organizers are and even doing a capacity check for yourself," she said.

Mendoza noted that risks vary based on where a person is, but they should first determine if it's safe for them to even be at a protest. Beyond outside factors, another challenge to staying safe is seeing how state security forces act at the protest. He added to remain alert since they could use tear gas or pepper spray as things change. Sometimes, people might attend protests simply to agitate the crowd or incite violence.

If a protest gets violent or someone gets aggressive, knowing your survival response can help keep things calm. Mendoza noted as much as people can try, they can't de-escalate an aggressor, law enforcement officers, or someone intent on harming you. But, he says people don't consider certain things when preparing to attend a protest, although they always should.

"Having a buddy, that's a very important thing; just like having someone watch your back or even having a remote buddy, someone that can check on you before, during, and after the protest. That you would let them know, like, 'I'm going to be here. I plan to be here,' especially for folks that may be more vulnerable or at risk for arrest or deportation," Mendoza said.

Protests regarding the Trump administration have been nonviolent, but Mendoza says this is also due to them being organized by communities which could be targeted. In his 30 years of activism, the violence Mendoza's seen at protests came from state security forces or agitators.

AARP is taking applications for its 2025 Community Challenge grants and Wyoming's state chapter encouraged nonprofits and municipalities to apply.

Since 2017, AARP has invested more than $20 million in 1,700 projects nationwide. The grants are designed for quick-action projects to help communities of all sizes become more livable, especially for those aged 50 and up.

Ron Hammel, a member of the AARP Wyoming Executive Council, runs Wyoming's grant program as a volunteer.

"Let's say you're a small community up in Wyoming and you have an idea to do something that would benefit a lot of people in that area but you have no way of getting the money," Hammel explained. "This is one place where people could get up to $25,000 to fund a project."

Last year, a total of $45,000 was awarded to four Wyoming projects. Applications for the 2025 cycle are due March 5.

The City of Evanston last year received more than $12,000 to install concrete pingpong, foosball and chess tables in outdoor spaces downtown.

Mieke Madrid, program coordinator and grant writer for Evanston Main Street, said the project helps the program meet its goal to help build lasting memories.

"It is important to create public spaces that are for people of all ages and abilities and to create a dynamic space," Madrid emphasized.

Madrid pointed out the game tables help create a "sense of place" for locals and visitors alike.

In Buffalo, Powder River American Legion Post 13 used more than $5,000 to purchase 500 veterans markers for the town's several cemeteries.

Chuck Guilford, former post commander, said it gave their efforts a needed boost.

"We've been doing it piecemeal for the longest time ordering 40 markers or 20 markers and looking at years and years to get it done," Guilford recounted. "With the funding, we were able to order a sufficient supply."

Now, Guilford added, the grave of every interred veteran in Johnson County is marked as such.

February is Library Lovers Month - and libraries across the Commonwealth are encouraging their long-time and new patrons to celebrate.

Lisa Varga, executive director of the Virginia Library Association, said the easiest way to show love to your library is by signing up for a library card if you don't have one.

For folks wanting to do more, Varga urged them to let their local public officials know just how important the library is to them.

"There are so many things that libraries do that a lot of our financial decision-makers don't necessarily know, about because there's so much to keep track of," said Varga. "So, if you are someone who has benefited from a wifi hotspot, from being able to borrow materials that you could not otherwise afford, let the people know that you enjoy and appreciate your public library."

There are 94 public library systems across the Commonwealth. That ranges from one-building to multi-branch systems.

One study finds that 63% of libraries are funded through a local city or county government, while 29% are funded through an independent library district.

Varga said libraries are important for those seeking an affordable way to do academic research - and combating the loneliness epidemic. She said it's vital that information remains free.

"We are a distinct feature in each community," said Varga, "and it's really important that access to information and access to resources be shared and be publicly available to people. "

The first lending library in the U.S. was founded in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. Residents of
Franklin asked Benjamin Franklin, the town's namesake, to donate a bell to the town.

Instead, Franklin donated a collection of books to the town, believing "sense" was more important than "sound." The town's residents voted to make the books freely available to all of its citizens.




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