Ten years ago, Fred Richard and Eve Loeb breathed life into the Montgomery Area Community Foundation. Incorporated in 1982 by a group of civic-minded and forward-thinking individuals, it lay dormant for five years. Under the energetic leadership of Richard and Eve Loeb, the Foundation had 14 funds totaling over $500,000 by the end of 1987. In 1997, to commemorate its 10th anniversary and to better reflect its expanded service area, the Montgomery Area Community Foundation changed its name to the Central Alabama Community Foundation.

Since its inception, CACF has concentrated its grant making efforts on the support of programs new to our community or on projects which have proven their worth and are expanding their services to new audiences. Our partners in these efforts are as varied as the services they provide. They include health and human service organizations, cultural arts groups, the public school system, and religious organizations. We value and applaud the work of these groups, and are proud to be financial partners in their efforts.

CACF offers its services to citizens of Elmore and Autauga counties through its affiliated funds - the Elmore County Community Foundation and the Autauga Area Community Foundation. The successful BONDS program, which CACF initiated in 1996, provides funding and services to build stronger neighborhoods within our community. The Montgomery Education Foundation researches and develops initiatives and programs to strengthen public education in our community.The Central Alabama School to Career program provides grants and activities to help students explore and prepare for careers.

Our equally important partners are our donors, without whom our efforts would not be possible. There is a Greek proverb that says "When a person plants a tree under which he will never sit, you know civilization has come to that land." Our growth from $500,000 in 1987 to our present size of over $27 million in assets under management reflects the generous spirit of our community, as hundreds of donors have invested in providing a better community for generations they will never know. Their investment has allowed the foundation to return over $12 million in grants to the community.