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Building Opportunities for Lasting Development Funding Initiative

The City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO) is soliciting proposals to provide public funds to any firm, corporation, or other business entity, public or private, for the purpose of promoting economic development in Birmingham. IEO is requesting creative, evidence-based proposals for programming and services that advance economic resilience and mobility in Birmingham under the Building Opportunities for Lasting Development (BOLD) funding program. IEO is working to fuel an ecosystem that allows innovation and opportunity to thrive by providing resources to nurture talent; by establishing infrastructure that supports the growth of women-, minority-, and disadvantaged businesses; and by focusing on developing our small businesses. Now in its seventh year, the BOLD funding program seeks to develop partnerships with community organizations that share IEO’s vision of making Birmingham the model of an inclusive and resilient economy.

Consideration of BOLD proposals is weighted upon measurable community impact in one or more of the following objectives and in one or more of the following geographic priority areas.

B.O.L.D. Objectives

  • Small businesses: provide resources to Birmingham entrepreneurs and small business owners who have been in operation in Birmingham for over two years, generating revenue of less than $400,000, to sustain or scale their businesses.
  • Workforce development: implement a strategy for Birmingham residents to access good jobs through training, education and job-readiness interventions that are directly connected to employer demand with a focus on dismantling barriers that limit labor force participation.
  • Eliminating barriers: address barriers to economic prosperity for minority, women, and disadvantaged residents and/or business enterprises (MWDBEs) within the City of Birmingham (e.g. access to training, scholarships, transportation, healthcare, childcare, food access, housing, etc)
  • Creative placemaking: advance economic resilience, mobility, and inclusive growth in Birmingham’s neighborhoods

High-Growth Industries: use data-driven and innovative approaches to invest in Birmingham’s high-growth, high-demand industries (e.g. clean energy, construction, medical, technology, advanced manufacturing, etc)

Geographic Priority Areas

  • East Lake
  • Ensley
  • Five Points West
  • Fourth Avenue Business District / Civil Rights District
  • North Birmingham
  • Smithfield/Elyton
  • Titusville
  • Woodlawn
2023 BOLD Impact Report
View 5-year Impact Report

In an effort to support residents, small business owners and community partners, the City of Birmingham and IEO has provided all the necessary resources to help inform the public about the BOLD process.

Application Process

Please Note: The current cycle of the 2026 BOLD Application is closed. Please use the information below as reference and check back for the 2027 BOLD Application cycle.

To support applicants in the development of their proposals, IEO is pleased to present the following series of workshops and office hours. Please see registration details below. Additionally, if you have any questions regarding the application process or your proposal, feel free to contact IEO at bold@birminghamal.gov.

  • BOLD Public Information Session
    • Thursday August 8th at 2pm CT
  • BOLD Proposal Workshop #1: What does it mean to be a BOLD awardee?
    • Thursday, August 15th at 2pm CT
  • BOLD Proposal Workshop #2: How to complete the technical aspects of the BOLD application
    • Thursday, August 22nd at 2pm CT
  • BOLD Proposal Workshop #3: How to make your application competitive
    • Thursday, August 29th at 2pm CT
  • BOLD Office Hours with Key IEO Staff Fridays, August 9-August 30, from 9am-12pm

Key Dates

The City reserves the right to modify the following schedule at its discretion. Notification of changes in connection with this RFP will be posted here.

  • August 5, 2024| RFP Released
  • August 8, 2024| RFP Information Session
  • August 15, 2024| Proposal Workshop #1
  • August 29, 2024| Proposal Workshop #3
  • September 5, 2024| Application Deadline

Application Phase Key Dates

  • September 5-23, 2024| Review of Written Application
  • October 3, 2024 (tentatively) | Semifinalist In-person Presentation
  • October 14-15, 2024 | Finalist Agreement Negotiations
  • October 21 –November 30, 2024 | Agreement Drafting with Office of City Attorney
  • November 2024 | Review by Birmingham City Council Committee(s)
  • December 2024 | Review by full Birmingham City Council
  • December 2024 | Awardee Announcement

Selections will not be final until approved by City Council. Selected projects will be reviewed by both the Economic Development Committee and Budget and Finance Committee of City Council for approval, followed by approval by the full City Council.

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