Just what is Cawaco?
Cawaco RC&D is a nonprofit organization that connects Central Alabama communities to the resources and partnerships needed to drive economic development in an environmentally sustainable way.
VISION: Vibrant communities that achieve balance between economic, human and natural resource needs.
What we do . . . . . . . . . . .
- Help other nonprofits to accomplish their mission.
- Find solutions to complex problems by identifying partners and coordinating actions across federal, state and local jurisdictions.
- Identifying resources and funding for projects, grant development, management and administration.
Recent Projects
How do we do it?
- Identify unmet community needs.
- Assist with project development.
- Identify strategic partners and funding to accomplish the goal.
CAWACO is Community
Cawaco is dedicated to the conservation, development and sustained use of natural and community resources. We proudly serve Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker counties of Alabama.
Grant Program
Cawaco receives funds from the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils to provide competitive grants to small towns and nonprofits that would likely not receive funding from major funders or agencies.
Strategic Habitats
Alabama Rivers & Streams Network (ARSN) is a group of state and federal agencies, utilities, private companies, and non-profit organizations that work together to identify opportunities for the restoration and recovery of imperiled aquatic species through collaboration using science-based methods.
Cool Green Trees
This project is a unique collaborative effort between Cawaco RC&D Council Environmental Programs, the City of Birmingham, a diverse, multidisciplinary team from University of Alabama at Birmingham, and numerous local non-profits in Jefferson County, Alabama. Cool Green Trees is supported by the Jefferson County Department of Health.
The Holle Foundation
Cawaco provides administrative support for the Holle Family Foundation. The Foundation is a grant making institution established in 2014 to honor the legacy of Brigadier General Everett Holle, a champion of servant leadership, and his parents, Evelyn and Fred Holle.
Your Town Alabama
Since 1998, the Your Town Alabama organization has conducted annual workshops for town officials and community leaders across Alabama. For citizens interested in improving their communities, the workshop introduces asset-based design in community planning.
Gardens
CAWACO partners with the Alabama Association of RC&D Councils, other RC&D Councils throughout the state and USDA/NRCS to provide vegetable seeds and mini-grants for school, community and veteran gardens. The goal is to empower communities and schools to grow fresh local produce that can be shared, eaten, and even sold to generate income.
Tool Trailer
The Tools for Trails cargo trailer is equipped with trail-building equipment and is available to non-profits and volunteer groups for trail building, garden improvement and invasive species removal.
Recent News and Projects
Cool Green Trees is in the News!
In case you haven’t heard- Cool Green Trees is a new Cawaco Program that is locating Urban Heat Islands in Birmingham and cooling them down by planting trees. Concrete, streets and buildings “collect” and…
2024 Funding Opportunity
The 2024 Cawaco Grant Cycle opens April 1- July 1, 2023. All applicants are now required to create an account with username and password prior to applying. Applications will be available starting April 1.…
A 3 for 1 Project
Cawaco provided assistance to the US Fish & Wildlife Service which could improve fish passage for the Trispot Darter. The project removed a perched concrete culvert pipe and replaced it with a bottomless arch…
Cawaco RC&D programs and activities are available without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status
