Bedford Falls Foundation’s First Gift in Alabama Fuels UA Nursing Growth

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Bedford Falls Foundation-Donor Advised Fund is investing $1.5 million over five years to The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing to support in-state student scholarships and programs.

This landmark gift from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF will provide the College with around 60 scholarships annually for in-state, undergraduate nursing students and support student success initiatives.

The Bedford Falls Foundation aims to remove these barriers to high-quality nursing education and address the critical nursing workforce shortage nationwide, a need that is especially urgent in Alabama. According to the Alabama Board of Nursing, approximately 39,000 nurses indicated retirement plans by 2027, leaving a projected statewide shortage of 14,000 nurses.

Bedford Falls Foundation's commitment to the Capstone College of Nursing comes at a crucial time, as the college embarks on a bold growth plan to double enrollment and practice-ready graduates by 2030 to meet Alabama's pressing nursing workforce needs.

"Bedford Falls Foundation's extraordinary commitment marks a historic moment for both our college and the state of Alabama, as this is the first funding the foundation has provided within the state," said Dr. Julie Sanford, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. "Their investment strengthens our mission to prepare highly skilled nurses who will serve communities across Alabama and beyond."

As the College continues to expand its capacity and elevate student success, this funding will create opportunities for aspiring nurses across the state, helping ensure Alabama students can access a top-tier education, regardless of financial barriers.

Sparked by the belief that people who can get a nursing degree can always get a job, the foundation prioritizes nursing education as a powerful way to create opportunities for stable, gainful and personally fulfilling employment.

"We are pleased to support students at the University of Alabama," said Bill Conway Jr., who established the Bedford Falls Foundation and Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF, along with his late wife, Joanne Barrett Conway. "The nursing shortage is critical. If we can play even a small part in addressing this need by supporting future nurses, then we are proud to do so."

The Capstone College of Nursing is a national leader in nursing education, boasting high licensure and certification rates, including a 99.6% National Council Licensure Examination pass rate among its 2025 BSN graduates, which far exceeds national averages.