We are guided by a charitable philosophy that seeks to promote individuals and institutions throughout central Alabama that nurture individual accomplishment and worth. Our grantees are striving to address local disparities in knowledge, opportunity, and care. We aim to support their critical work with funding that maximizes impact across several grant initiatives: services and advocacy for vulnerable populations, academic excellence, leadership development, outdoor recreation, community development, celebrating history and culture, and supporting veteran programs. These reflect the lifelong interests of the Foundation’s namesake, Everett Holle.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
OUR GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
Our grants and donations are concentrated in the following counties: Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Tuscaloosa, and Walker. Grants outside this area of focus may be considered at the Foundation's discretion.
OUR STORY
The Holle Family Foundation was established in 2014 to continue the philanthropic commitments of Everett Holle and his family. Today, it is managed by a board whose members wish to honor his memory and amplify his impact. As a talented broadcast and film communication major, Holle started out reporting for the University of Alabama’s student newspaper and radio station. He demonstrated leadership qualities early on with his involvement in Student Government Association and Army ROTC.
Upon graduating in 1950, Holle was commissioned in the United States Army as a radio/television/motion picture officer, acting as the Army’s network liaison. Following his return to Birmingham, he joined the 87th US Army Maneuver Area Command. He held several command positions until his retirement in 1985 as Brigadier General.
He was highly regarded for his 40-year career in the Birmingham television industry at WAPI (now WVTM) NBC 13. In addition, he is remembered for his service to the community as a dedicated leader of numerous civic organizations, especially Boy Scouts of America.
As a member of the College of Communication and Information Sciences Board of Visitors, Holle passionately invested in the success of University of Alabama students. In 2015, he established the Holle Awards for Excellence and Creativity in Communication to celebrate and reward student achievement in the areas of book arts, filmmaking, media writing, public speaking, and screenwriting. He was honored for his extraordinary commitment to higher education when he was inducted into the College of Communication and Information Sciences Hall of Fame in 2015. General Holle passed away in 2017.
Everett Holle is recognized in the Alabama Broadcaster's Association's Hall of Fame for 2012.
Learn more about the life and impact of Brigadier General Everett Holle. See the video to the left created by the Center for Public Television at the University of Alabama Digital Media Center.