HUNTSVILLE – The Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville has awarded 2021 Racial Equity Fund grants totaling $71,460.

The 11 recipients are working to reduce gaps in racial equity and thus improve quality of life for residents in the greater Huntsville area, according to Melissa Thompson, CEO/President of Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville.

Launched in 2020, the Racial Equity Fund tackles five primary categories: criminal justice system, education and job readiness, health and wellness, income and wealth creation, along with neighborhoods and communities.

The foundation’s Grants Committee evaluated requests from 22 grant applications. Recipients base their operation in Huntsville, Madison County and Madison:

* Village of Promise — $15,000. Accesses affordable, high-quality certified childcare for families in poverty.

* Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre & Academy — $10,000. Offers educational opportunities for English Language Learners in the Huntsville community.

* Girls Inc. of Huntsville — $9,200. Empowers young girls with opportunities to explore entrepreneurial possibilities.

* Diverse Educational Life Training Activities Inc. — $6,460. Presents summer reading programming to preschool students in challenging and fun activities.

* Thrive Alabama — $5,800. Helps minority families explore the outdoors in a safe, welcome space in partnership with Black Kids Adventures.

* Cap & Gown Project — $5,000. Offers free, preparatory program for college and ACT in rigorous six-week training; certified teachers conduct sessions for students in grades 9-12.

* Habitat for Humanity of Madison County — $5,000. Builds a community of strength, stability and self-reliance with construction of 19 new homes for individuals.

* Heart of the Valley YMCA — $5,000. Allows under-represented youth to participate in annual Youth Judicial and Legislative Conferences in Montgomery.

* Huntsville Community Drumline — $5,000. Provides youth with year-round lessons, mentoring and necessary tools to compete for college scholarships.

* Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama — $2,500. Prepares teenagers for learners’ permits and drivers’ licenses with classroom and driving instruction, along with Driver Safety course.

* Kids to Love Foundation — $2,500. Bridges the gap for underserved youth between foster care and independence. Programs offer strategic solutions to combat harmful and deeply rooted challenges surrounding racism and inequity that have affected the area for generations.

For more information, visit CommunityFoundationHSV.org/Equity, Facebook/Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, Linkedin and Twitter @cfhuntsville.