Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy receives $1.1M for preservation
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Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy (FQBL) has received a $1.15 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to preserve and strengthen its historic home.
The three-year grant, which runs 2029, represents a transformative investment in both the preservation of the historic Freedom Quilting Bee headquarters and the future sustainability of the organization that carries its legacy forward.
“This investment from the Mellon Foundation is a powerful affirmation of the national significance of the Freedom Quilting Bee story. It enables us to preserve this historic place while building the organizational capacity needed to ensure these stories continue to educate and inspire generations to come.”
Kim V. Kelly, Executive Director of Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy
Keep reading to learn more about the FQBL and what plans the organization has for the grant money.
What is the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy?
Founded in 1966, the Freedom Quilting Bee became a nationally recognized quilting cooperative that created economic opportunity for Black women in rural Alabama.
Through artistry, entrepreneurship and partnerships with national retailers, the women of the Freedom Quilting Bee helped preserve a rich artistic tradition and advancing economic justice during the Civil Rights Movement.
Through the Humanities in Place grant, Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy will undertake work to upgrade its historic structure to serve as a center for:
- Exhibitions
- Educational programming
- Research
- Community engagement
Planned improvements include:
- Modernization of essential building systems
- Accessibility enhancements
- Rehabilitation to preserves the building’s historic character while preparing it for long-term public use
In addition to investing in the historic building, the organizations hope the grant can strengthen its capacity by supporting the recruitment and hiring of a Development Director. This new leadership position will expand Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts, broaden philanthropic support, and help secure the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.
“The Mellon Foundation recognizes that preserving historic places also requires investing in the organizations that care for them. By strengthening our development capacity, we will be better positioned to cultivate new partnerships and resources that will sustain this important work well beyond the grant period.”
Kim V. Kelly, Executive Director of Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy
By the conclusion of the grant period in 2029, Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy hopes to have advanced the preservation of one of Alabama’s Civil Rights and folk art landmarks while establishing stronger organizational systems.
