As part of our Longview Gives Back planned giving program, Longview sponsored a team in Impact Alabama’s 2016 Huntsville’s Brightest Trivia competition. The event invites companies and nonprofits to sponsor a team to play team trivia to benefit Impact America with a chance to earn $10,000 for the winning team’s charity of choice. Several Longview team members and a few spouses enjoyed an evening together at the Huntsville event, hosted at the Jackson Center.
Impact Alabama, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 2004 by Stephan Black as Alabama’s first nonprofit dedicated to developing substantive service-learning and leadership development projects for college students and recent college graduates. It is an award-winning nonprofit which has grown from a team of five to a staff of 51 full-time college graduates who have provided more than 6,300 college students and 150 recent graduates the opportunity to participate in service projects that are designed to promote learning and leadership development. The mission of this organization is to engage students and recent college graduates to address community needs, empowering them to promote change in their communities.
In 2014, Impact Alabama expanded into a national organization, called Impact America, with programs currently in Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida and Philadelphia. Impact Alabama has a long list of participating universities and colleges found throughout the state:
The University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham-Southern College, Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, Alabama A&M University, Athens State University, UA Huntsville, University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College, Auburn University, University of North Alabama, Gadsden State Community College, Calhoun Community College, Alabama State University, Auburn University at Montgomery, Huntingdon College, Jones School of Law, Judson College, Troy University, Wallace Community College, Dothan, Tuskegee University, Jacksonville State University, University of West Alabama
Their Programs (As cited on their website)
FocusFirst ensures that children in urban and rural communities receive comprehensive vision care. In 2015-2016, FocusFirst has 219 volunteers who screened 44,105 Alabama preschoolers and over 10% of them were found to have vision problems. Since 2004, the FocusFirst program has used 3,133 volunteers to offer screenings to 308,539 Alabama preschoolers.
SaveFirst works to provide families with free tax preparation services and opportunities to save. In 2016, 552 volunteers prepared 9,005 free tax returns for Alabama families which accounted for over $17.8M in refunds claimed. Since 2004, 4,401 volunteers have prepared 49,548 tax returns accounting for $91M in refunds. The estimated savings in commercially-offered tax prep fees exceeds $15.8M.
SpeakFirst challenges middle and high school students, guiding them on a path towards future excellence. In 2015, $435,000 in college scholarships was earned by 4 graduating seniors who participated in the SpeakFirst program. Since 2004, 47 participating students have earned over $4.5M in scholarships.
CollegeFirst works with high school students to strengthen concepts and prepare them for AP coursework. In 2015, 182 high school students participated with 61 college student mentors. Since 2010, 993 high school students have worked with 389 college student mentors accounting for 51,797 hours spent in the program.
How To Give or Support
The organization offers a yearlong service and leadership program, called the Impact Corps Program, designed to place talented, committed recent college graduates directly into communities they serve. Corps Members plan and execute all initiatives that operate in their state of service as well as recruit and manage the service of college students as they participate in those initiatives.
Donations, which qualify for as a charitable contribution, can be made by check or PayPal. Learn more at http://impactamerica.com/donate/.
There are a number of volunteer opportunities found throughout the states in which Impact works. You can learn about volunteer opportunities at http://impactamerica.com/volunteer/ or email their volunteer coordinator at volunteer@impactamerica.com.
How to Contact Them and Learn More
You can also visit them online at their website or on their Facebook page. You can email them at alabama@impactamerica.com or call 205-934-0664. Their main office is located at 1901 6th Ave. N., Suite 2400, Birmingham, AL 35203.
