Press Releases
CFEM calls 2011 successful year of philanthropy
January 13, 2012
MERIDIAN — Despite the economic struggles of non-profit agencies and charitable giving as a whole, the Community Foundation of East Mississippi experienced growth in 2011 in its philanthropic giving and newly established funds. In 2011, the Community Foundation awarded more than $214,000 in grants and fund disbursements to more than 50 agencies. Local college scholarship recipients participated in disbursements totaling $24,000 (awarded to four universities) from scholarship funds established with the Community Foundation.
Continued support of the arts were experienced in 2011 as well, with more than $18,000 given to 12 agencies, including the recipients of the successful and growing Summer Arts Initiative, a mini-grants program provided by the Community Foundation each summer. Other disbursements include $10,925 to the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi from the Mitchell Boys and Girls Club Endowment, $8,448 to the Community of Hope Program from The Hope Endowment, and $3,521 to the Area 5 Special Olympics from the Pat Barber Special Olympics Endowment.
In addition to its philanthropic giving in 2011, the Community Foundation experienced growth in new endowments and project funds supporting various causes and agencies in East Mississippi. The Neshoba Education Foundation merged its assets with the Community Foundation, forming a powerful force that will provide lifelong support of education in Neshoba County. Other newly established funds include: Lakeview Municipal Golf Course Improvement Fund, Plant a Tree, Curb Poverty Fund, Music on the Grounds, MHS Wildcat Alumni and Friends Association Fund, Dan Harrison Fund for State Games of Mississippi, Mississippi Veteran’s Project Fund, 2011 Championship MHS Boys Basketball Fund, Arthur S. Young Endowment, and the Frances and Cooper Williams Scholarship Fund.
“2011 was an exciting year for the Community Foundation. We are not without our challenges, like any other non-profit agency, but to see our endowment and project funds grow and provide much needed support to so many agencies in East Mississippi is very encouraging. Our mission is important to us, and we are positioning ourselves for significant future growth.” said M’Lea Davis, executive director for the Community Foundation of East Mississippi.
The concept of the Community Foundation is one that dates back to 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio.
It is unique in that it gives civic and philanthropic minded individuals the opportunity to leave their legacy by avoiding the high costs of forming their own foundation by establishing a fund with the Community Foundation. Community foundations are instruments of civil society designed to pool donations into a coordinated investment and grant making facility dedicated primarily to the social improvement of a given place. Community foundations are a global phenomenon with 1,400 existing around the world of which over 700 are in the United States.
“Partnerships are a vital asset to the Community Foundation. Individuals who wish to leave their legacy through short-term or long-term giving have the opportunity of partnering with the Community Foundation to meet their philanthropic goals, all the while avoiding the high costs of forming their own foundation. Anyone can establish an endowment or project fund. We are essentially created by the community, for the community,” said Pat Thomasson, board president for the Community Foundation of East Mississippi.
The Community Foundation of East Mississippi is governed by a 16-member board of directors and makes annual disbursements and grants in the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Development, Education and Youth, and Health and Social Services. The Foundation’s service area includes Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Newton Counties.
Contributions to the Community Foundation of East Mississippi may be sent to P.O. Box 865, Meridian, MS 39302. If you or anyone you know is interested in establishing a fund with the Community Foundation, please call 601-696-3035 or visit www.cfem.org.
Community Foundation of East Mississippi Awards
$9,000 in Scholarships to Local Students
August 8, 2011
Meridian, Miss—The Community Foundation of East Mississippi has awarded $9,000 in scholarships to high school students in Meridian. These recipients have shown excellence in and outside the classroom, as both superior students and athletes. Through scholarship endowments set up by members of the community, the Community Foundation supports a number of students in our region each year with much deserved scholarships to further their education beyond high school. Created by the community, for the community, the Community Foundation of East Mississippi encourages anyone who is interested in starting a scholarship endowment to support hard working students in our area to contact us at 601-696-3035. Scholarship funds through the Community Foundation are a great way to encourage students to strive for excellence and excel in their studies, both academically and athletically.
Meridian Housing Authority Endowment Scholarship
Dalvin Brown 2011 recipient
$7,500
Meridian High School senior Dalvin Brown has been selected as the 2011 MHA Endowment Scholarship recipient. Mr. Brown holds a 3.75 grade point average and is involved in numerous activities at MHS. Dalvin plans to continue his post-secondary education at Jackson State University where he will pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism.
The Meridian Housing Authority Endowment Scholarship provides annual scholarships for eligible high school seniors that are residents of the Meridian Housing Authority and provide additional funding for the service needs of residents as they transition from public housing to home ownership. This initiative is only the second such endowment in the country and was authorized by the United States Department of Housing and Housing Development.
Sylva Autry Scholarship Endowment
Ever Shields - 2011 recipient
$500
Meridian High School senior, Ever Shields has been selected as the 2011 Sylvia Autry Scholarship. Ms. Shields plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and the scholarship will be useful in assisting in furthering her education.
Established in 2008, the Sylvia Autry Scholarship Endowment provides a one-time scholarship award to a deserving senior from Meridian High School to pursue higher education at a four-year college or university in Mississippi.
Lt. Sandra L. King Young Memorial Scholarship
Jamie Parker - 2011 recipient
$1,000
Meridian High School student, Jamie Parker is the 2011 recipient of the Lt. Sandra L. King Young Scholarship. Ms. Parker is an avid basketball player and will further her education at the University of Southern Mississippi in Fall 2011. She completed an essay and was chosen from an outside panel based on the essay to receive the scholarship.
Arthur S. Young set up a College Scholarship Endowment Fund in memory of his late wife, Lt. Sandra L. King Young. Mrs. Young graduated from Meridian High School and was a member of the girls basketball team. She later went on to play college basketball and women's professional basketball. The scholarship endowment was set up to specifically benefit the young ladies of the Meridian High School Girls Basketball team.
Community Foundation Awards Grants to Organizations
Engaging Youth Through Summer Arts Programs
June 30, 2011
The Community Foundation of East Mississippi is proud to announce awards from the Foundation’s 2011 Summer Mini Arts Grant Initiative. This is the fourth consecutive year the Community Foundation has offered quick-response mini arts grants to non-profits organizations in East Mississippi that engage youth in hands-on artistic programming during the summer months. Nine non-profit organizations have received grants this year, including Weems Community Mental Health Center in Decatur, Dekalb, Meridian, and Quitman; Meridian Museum of Art; Boys and Girls Club Neshoba County; Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter; Meridian Symphony Association; and Meridian Artists’ Co-op.
“We are thrilled that we can continue to offer grants to support youth engagement in the arts each summer in East Mississippi. The programs these organizations have developed to inspire and educate our youth through the arts is something the community should be very proud of. The Community Foundation is delighted to be a part of their efforts.” said M’Lea Davis, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of East Mississippi.
Funding for the Summer Arts Initiative was made possible by generous funding from the Plum Creek Foundation, the Margaret Dulaney Endowment for the Arts and from the Susan B. Herron / Lively Arts and Education Endowment.
If you would like to make a contribution to the Community Foundation in support of the arts in East Mississippi, contact the Community Foundation of East Mississippi at 601-696-3035 or send contribution with memo “Arts” to P.O. Box 865, Meridian, MS 39302.
