At HGD Law Firm, we believe that strong communities are built when people invest in opportunity, education, and the next generation of leaders. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary (2006–2026), we are proud to announce an exciting strategic community partnership with the College Choice Foundation (CCF)—a Birmingham-based nonprofit dedicated to helping high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds access life-changing educational opportunities.
This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting students, strengthening our community, and creating pathways for talented young people who simply need the right opportunity to pursue their dreams.
About the College Choice Foundation
The College Choice Foundation is a Birmingham nonprofit organization founded to help talented, motivated students navigate the often complex college admissions process. Through mentorship, resources, and financial support, CCF empowers students to apply to, enroll in, and graduate from college with little or no debt.
The results of their work are extraordinary.
- More than 283 students have participated in the program, earning over $132 million in scholarships and financial aid.
- The organization currently supports more than 200 scholars, including both high school and college students.
- Scholars have earned admission to top universities across the country, including Harvard, Notre Dame, Emory, Boston College, USC, Tulane, and the University of Chicago.
- Their students maintain an impressive 98% college graduation rate, far above the national average for students from similar backgrounds.
CCF provides comprehensive support through programs like the Bateman Scholars Program, offering ACT preparation, college tours, application assistance, essay coaching, and mentorship.
For many students, these resources are the difference between dreaming about college and actually stepping onto campus.
Removing Barriers to Education
For students with strong academic potential but limited financial resources, the path to college can feel overwhelming. The College Choice Foundation works to eliminate those barriers by providing the tools students need to succeed.
Their support often includes:
- ACT test preparation and testing fee coverage
- College application and financial aid assistance
- College tours across the country
- Mentorship and academic guidance
- Laptops and technology resources
- Stipends for books and living expenses during college
- Travel assistance for students attending out-of-state universities
Beyond the tangible resources, the organization provides something equally powerful: belief. Many scholars say that CCF gave them the confidence to pursue colleges and careers they never thought possible.
A Partnership Built on Opportunity
At HGD Law Firm, we know that access to opportunity can change the trajectory of a life. That is why we are proud to partner with the College Choice Foundation to support their mission and help expand their impact.
Through this partnership, HGD will:
- Provide financial support to expand CCF programs
- Contribute volunteer hours and mentorship from our team
- Help raise awareness about the organization’s work in Birmingham
- Partner on fundraising initiatives to support scholars
- Highlight CCF’s success stories and the incredible students they serve
This collaboration represents more than a sponsorship—it is a shared commitment to investing in the future of our community.
Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary While Supporting Students
This year marks an important milestone for HGD Law Firm as we celebrate 20 years of serving our clients and community.
To commemorate the occasion, we are hosting a special celebration:
HGD 20th Anniversary Celebration
May 8, 2026
📍 Birmingham Country Club
The evening will feature a fun and festive “Under the Disco Ball” 1970s-themed celebration, bringing together friends, colleagues, family, and community partners for a night of music, connection, and purpose.
We are thrilled that Magic City Disco will be joining us to help bring the energy of the 70s to life on the dance floor.
Most importantly, this event will serve as a platform to raise awareness and funds for the College Choice Foundation, helping them continue to open doors for deserving students across the Birmingham area.
A Success Story: Jeremiah’s Journey
One of the most powerful ways to understand the impact of the College Choice Foundation is through the stories of the students whose lives have been transformed by the program.
Jeremiah is one of those incredible students.
With support from CCF, Jeremiah attended The University of the South at Sewanee, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He later continued his education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), completing a master’s degree in Multidisciplinary Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Neuroscience.
Today, Jeremiah represents exactly what the College Choice Foundation strives to achieve: helping talented students find the opportunities that allow them to pursue their passions and reach their full potential.
Jeremiah recently visited the College Choice Foundation and was given an HGD Law Firm T-shirt. We couldn’t be more proud to stand beside students like him as they pursue their dreams.
His journey is a reminder that when the right door opens at the right moment, it can change everything.
Looking Ahead
This new partnership with the College Choice Foundation is only the beginning. As we look toward the future, HGD Law Firm is committed to deepening our involvement, expanding our support, and helping more students discover their path to success.
There are countless young people in our community who are hardworking, talented, and determined—but who simply need someone to believe in them and provide the resources to succeed.
Together with the College Choice Foundation, we hope to be part of that solution.
As we celebrate 20 years of HGD, we are grateful for the opportunity to give back and invest in the future of Birmingham’s students.
And we are just getting started.
A New Chapter
Please join us in celebrating this exciting partnership with the College Choice Foundation, and stay tuned for more updates as we work together to create opportunities, empower students, and strengthen our community.
Here’s to the next generation of leaders—and to the doors that are waiting to be opened.
Learn more about the College Choice Foundation: https://www.collegechoicefoundation.org/
