Who We Are
The Osborne Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, Alabama, working to empower single mothers through access to justice, educational opportunity, family restoration, and supportive community resources.
An organization built around the mothers it serves
Single mothers often carry the full weight of a household while navigating systems that are difficult to understand and expensive to access. A custody question, an unexpected housing notice, a missed educational opportunity, or a period of family instability can quickly affect a family's stability for years.
The Osborne Foundation exists to reduce those barriers. We provide general information and education, connect mothers with appropriate resources and legal-service pathways, support educational advancement, and work with community partners on restorative, family-centered approaches.
Our work is intentionally organized rather than reactive. The Protect, Educate, Restore framework allows the Foundation to address overlapping barriers together, and our Impact Framework keeps our attention on outcomes for mothers and their children.
Who We Serve
Single mothers in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and surrounding Central Alabama communities. Priority may be given to mothers experiencing barriers involving:
- Legal challenges
- Family instability
- Housing concerns
- Financial hardship
- Educational barriers
- Employment or career advancement
- Domestic violence-related circumstances
- Family conflict
- Access to opportunity and supportive resources
Our Mission
The Osborne Foundation believes that every single mother deserves access to justice, educational opportunity, and the support needed to build a stable future for her family.
We work to address barriers that can prevent single mothers and their families from achieving stability and opportunity — through legal advocacy, educational advancement, restorative initiatives, and community partnerships.
Our Vision
Stronger families and healthier communities with equitable access to justice, education, restoration, and opportunity.
We envision a Central Alabama where a mother's zip code or income does not determine whether she can protect her family, continue her education, or build a stable home.
The principles behind every decision
Justice
Access to justice should not depend on income, background, or circumstance.
Opportunity
Mothers deserve real pathways forward, not temporary fixes.
Dignity
Every mother is treated with respect and without judgment.
Family
Our work considers mothers and their children together.
Education
Learning creates independence and long-term stability.
Accountability
We measure our work honestly and communicate transparently.
Community
Lasting change is built through partnership, not in isolation.
Protect. Educate. Restore.
Three connected pillars, one goal: helping single mothers build stability, opportunity, and a stronger future.
PROTECT.
Legal Advocacy & Justice Services
We help connect single mothers with information, resources, advocacy, and appropriate legal-service pathways when legal challenges affect their families, housing, safety, stability, or future.
EDUCATE.
Educational Advancement & Scholarship Services
Education can create a pathway to greater stability and opportunity. The Osborne Foundation supports educational advancement by helping eligible single mothers pursue GED programs, trade certifications, career credentials, and higher education opportunities.
RESTORE.
Restorative Justice & Family Restoration
Restoration focuses on helping families move forward from instability, conflict, and difficult circumstances through supportive resources, education, referrals, and community-based approaches.
Our Commitment to the Community
We want the community to know how we work, not just what we say.
Community Service
Our work begins with listening to the needs of Central Alabama families.
Responsible Stewardship
Contributions are directed toward program capacity and community impact.
Transparency
We communicate clearly about what the Foundation does and does not provide.
Partnerships
We build relationships with organizations already trusted in the community.
Measurable Outcomes
We track progress against our Impact Framework rather than counting activity.
Respect
Mothers are treated as decision-makers in their own lives.
Accessibility
Our information, website, and communication are designed to be usable by everyone.
Long-Term Stability
We look beyond the immediate need toward lasting family stability.
Learn how our programs work
Explore the Foundation's legal advocacy, educational advancement, and family restoration programs.