How the Foundation Began

The Greater Brewton Foundation was established as a public community foundation in 1994. It was important to create this type (community) of foundation because it can last in perpetuity, whereas, by law, a private foundation has a limited life span. The Foundation’s mission is to provide support for the health, welfare, education, culture, recreation and neighborhood improvement in the Greater Brewton area. The first three grants awarded in 1995 went to the Brewton Public Library, Brewton City Schools and the City’s Tree and Beautification Board. Since then, new recipients are chosen each November from among more than forty area non-profits/public schools/governmental agencies. Grant awards have increased exponentially every year as the Foundation has grown. The Foundation also includes:

Endowments–

• Sandra Weaver established a fund for the public library. Annually, the income from that fund is distributed automatically to the Brewton Public Library.

Scholarship Endowments–

• In 2000, the Nannie Hainje Scholarship was created by Dr. Foo Chu to honor his wife’s memory. Scholarships from this fund are renewable if a recipient maintains good grades and reapplies.
• Several years later, Brewton City Schools began an endowment that would fund scholarship for a T. R. Miller High School graduating senior. Money for the T.R. Miller Scholarship can be donated at any time but is often solicited at Homecoming each year.
• In 2011, after the tragic death of T. R. Miller High School Principal Donnie Rotch, his wife established a scholarship fund in his memory. The first scholarships were awarded in 2012.
• In 2016, the E.O. Wilson Scholarship was created by the renowned biologist, theorist, naturalist and author of the same name. This scholarship is given to encourage a T.R. Miller High School senior planning to major in biology or one of the natural sciences.
• In that same year, the Evelyn Byrd Patton Scholarship was created posthumously by Ms. Patton to encourage students to pursue higher education. Two scholarships are awarded annually–one to a W. S. Neal graduating senior and one to a T. R. Miller graduating senior.
• In 2017, the Shane Prater Scholarship was created in memory of Shane by classmate & friend, Justin Lambert. It is given annually to graduate(s) of T. R. Miller.
• In 2019, the Curtis Glaize Memorial Scholarship was created by Curtis’ friends and family after his untimely death. In recognition of Curtis’ love of teaching, scholarships are awarded to graduates of T.R. Miller High School and of Benjamin Russell High School who plan to pursue an education degree.
• In 2022, the Logan Mitchell Memorial Scholarship was established after a tragic accident claimed the life of this special twelve-year-old boy. Family and friends supported this endowment, and the scholarships are awarded annually to Flomaton High School graduates.

The Foundation appreciates the opportunity to give back to area students in a way that supports their further growth and development. Contact us if you, or someone you know is interested in endowing a scholarship.

Sustaining Members

We welcome your support for the work of the Foundation. Each donor contributing to the general fund is considered a sustaining member and recognized in our annual newsletter. Income from the general fund provides the basis for all grant funding. Donors can also send a monetary gift in memory or in honor of someone. Those gifts are also sustaining member donations unless they are designated for a scholarship. In that case, donor funds go directly into the scholarship account(s). Donations can be made online using this website or mailed to our P.O. Box 87, Brewton, AL 36427. For donations online, please use the “add special instructions to the seller” location to designate memorials or honorariums and to identify which fund you would like to support.

Board Members

Founding Board Members– John David Finlay/President, Paul Owens/Vice President, Hermine Downing/Secretary, Mitchell Neese/Treasurer, Suzanne Kirby, Elaine Catoe, Stephanie Walker and the Mayor at that time, Ted Jennings. Downing, Finlay, Neese and Jennings have all passed away, but dedicated many years of service as board members. Suzanne Kirby and Elaine Catoe served well over 20 years before they retired from the board.

Current Board Members– Kirk Garrett, Loletta Redmon Jackson, Mayor Frank Nalty, Susan Miller/Secretary, Paul Owens/Vice President, Ann Peach, Samantha Sanks/Treasurer, Russell Smith, Stephanie Walker/President
All board members furnish their time and expertise, at no cost, for the administration of the Foundation.