SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — The Compass Society, an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, is set to unveil $50,000 in grants to nonprofit programs in Jackson County. The announcement is slated to occur during a press event at the Scottsboro Boys Museum, located at 428 West Willow Street in Scottsboro, Alabama. This event signals the launch of a Compass in Action tour, aimed at connecting Compass Society donors with the impact of nonprofit programs that received grants in 2022 and 2023.
Serving as North Alabama’s regional community foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville has a mission to elevate the quality of life across the region. Melissa Thompson, CEO/President of Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, highlights the foundation's dedication, stating, “The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville serves five counties – Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan Counties – to enhance the quality of life in our region. We are proud to spotlight the investment being made in Jackson County and to stand alongside organizations making a difference in this community.”
Mayor Jim McCamy of Scottsboro echoes this sentiment, pointing toward the region's success with the prosperity of each community. “The success of our region depends on the success of all of the communities that make up this area. We are proud to partner with the Community Foundation to bring more resources to our community and continue to invest in our quality of life,” McCamy said.
The Compass Society, designed to “Map the Future,” implements collaborative, high-impact projects addressing eight key areas of community quality of life. In this grant cycle, the Compass Society awarded grants to two nonprofits serving Jackson County for initiatives that serve as catalysts for the region’s future.
The 2023 Compass Society grants include:
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology | Genetic Explorers: $50,000. Genetic Explorers is a partnership between HudsonAlpha and community organizations providing after-school services. The program aims to expose underserved and underrepresented students to high-quality, hands-on science lessons, paving the way for STEM success. The pilot project will launch in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama at sites in Jackson and Madison Counties.
The Scottsboro Boys Museum | Outdoor Beautification and Interpretive Plaza Project: $25,000. The Scottsboro Boys Museum aims to enhance its outdoor space with an interpretive plaza for visitor enjoyment and education. The plaza will feature a signature sculpture, reading posts, benches, and new landscaping. With the museum open only 18 hours per week, this project allows visitors to engage in new ways and provides flexibility in scheduling programs.
These grants were made possible by Compass Society members. Fifty percent of all Compass Society donations support current-year grant-making, while the remaining fifty percent is allocated to the Compass Endowment, now exceeding $1 million.