The Black Belt Community Foundation has received a grant that will create new opportunities for young minority men.

The BBCF announced recently that it received a $415,000 grant to “promote opportunity and health for young men of color in rural communities in the South and Southwest.”

Awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in partnership with Public Interest Projects, the grant must be used to invest in local partners working directly with young minority men.

“We are thrilled, honored and humbled by the opportunity to really connect organizations and groups around the region with resources that will effect, in very positive manner, young men and boys of color,” BBCF President Felicia Jones said.

Known as the Forward Promise Catalyst, the new grant coincides with Forward Promise initiative to improve the health and success of middle school and high school boys and young men.

“The Catalyst grants are an innovative, forward- thinking approach that goes beyond traditional grant making,” said Berta Colon, president of Public Interest Projects.

The area philanthropies BBCF rewards the funds to will have to contribute their own matching dollars.

“Young men and boys of color, not only in the Black Belt region, but also throughout the nation, are the ones that are the most vulnerable,” Jones said. “They are the most at risk in almost every aspect, from education to health to social economical status.”

With that in mind, BBCF is prepared to pick the finest, most effective regional philanthropies available to help.

“We will work within organizations that we have previously worked with that have shown measurable results,” Jones said.

Jones said BBCF plans to announce the groups they will reward the money to and the amount to be given Nov. 7 at a press conference. For more information, call BBCF at 874-1126.