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Local giving circle 'The Other Foundation' pitches microgrants to Birmingham City Council
Summary
Max Rykov told the council about The Other Foundation, a giving-circle that distributes monthly microgrants ($1,000–$3,000) to neighborhood projects; the group said it has awarded $5,300 across three projects and accepted applications at otherfoundationbham.org with the next deadline this Friday at midnight.
Max Rykov, introduced to the Birmingham City Council by Councilor Daryl O'Quinn, described a locally run giving circle called "The Other Foundation" and urged councilors and residents to spread the word about its microgrant program.
"We give out grants between $1,000 and $3,000 every month," Rykov said, and the group "just launched formally last month" and awarded $5,300 to three projects, including a community garden in Ensley and movie nights in Avondale Park. Rykov said the foundation does not require applicants to be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit; its only restriction is that projects not be for-profit ventures.
City staff and councilors asked logistical questions about membership and how funds are distributed. Rykov explained members contribute $100 per month, vote monthly on projects and send funds through a rotating member ("we send a different member a $100 every month") to avoid formal entity accounting; he pointed attendees to otherfoundationbham.org and said the next application deadline was this Friday at midnight.
Councilors praised the grassroots approach and encouraged staff to share the one-page summary Rykov provided with neighborhood leaders and community groups. The presentation did not prompt any formal action by the council.
