The Birmingham City Council approved a package of BOLD (Building Opportunities for Lasting Development) program agreements Oct. 28 that will fund a dozen local nonprofits to deliver workforce development, small‑business support, health clinic supplies, and other neighborhood services.

Administration presented the 12 finalists and a staff overview (Office of Business, Diversity and Opportunity). Monique Shorts, senior program manager, summarized each organization’s geographic priorities, program goals and proposed outcomes. Organizations awarded funding include Alabama Center for Employee Ownership (employee ownership conversions), BCAAN Birmingham (mobile “free store” pop‑ups), Community on the Rise (employment and housing for women survivors of homelessness), CREED Foundation (16‑week business development course for underserved owners), Forge Workspace (accelerator cohorts), Hope Inspired Ministries (workforce training with wrap‑around supports), HUB Worldwide (medical supplies redistribution to clinics), Measured Access (capital innovation and angel investor training), The Post Finders (CPR/AED and overdose response training), United Ability (pre‑apprenticeship for youth with disabilities), and others.

Award amounts and durations: each agreement is for 12 months with award amounts ranging from about $71,450 to roughly $142,500 (see council packet for exact figures). During the meeting, applicants gave short public presentations about quarterly goals and organizational experience. Councilors asked for follow‑up contact information and quarterly performance detail; administrators said the awards include reporting requirements.

Motion and vote: Council moved and approved the set of BOLD awards by voice vote after applicants presented. Several items were removed from the broad consent listing for discussion and were subsequently approved. One item (37) had an abstention recorded at the vote; others passed with recorded “aye” voice votes or unanimous consent as reflected in the transcript.

Administration said the BOLD awards focus on priority neighborhoods (Ensley; Fourth Avenue Business District; North Birmingham; Smithfield; Titusville; Woodlawn; East Lake; and the Civil Rights District) and are intended to expand economic opportunity, job training, and community health supports.