MERIDIAN —     The Community Foundation of East Mississippi may spark recognition for many individuals in our area, but for most, it’s an unfamiliar name.

    The Community Foundation is one of few philanthropic foundations providing immediate needs for many non-profit organizations and agencies. Incorporated in 1987 to establish a charitable infrastructure to encourage giving in the community, the Community Foundation of East Mississippi became active in 2005 when the first staff was hired.

    At that time, endowment funds were established by civic-minded individuals in the community to support non-profit agencies and causes in East Mississippi. The Community Foundation has advanced into an important platform for charitable-driven individuals who wish to support and contribute to organizations and causes in East Mississippi.

    One of the first funds established with the Foundation was the Mitchell Endowment for the Boys and Girls Club. Manny and Melanie Mitchell believed early on the importance of giving back to the community, and realized the Community Foundation was the best way to create a lifelong legacy and support to the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi. In 2007, the late Pat Barber established the Area 5 Special Olympics Endowment, and since has grown significantly, providing a continued level of support to Special Olympics in East Mississippi.

    Mr. Barber’s strong love and dedication to the Special Olympics was exemplified by his powerful will to provide a life-long level of support to Special Olympics. His legacy will live on through the Community Foundation with his endowment fund. In 2008, the Margaret Dulaney Arts Endowment was established by her family to forever memorialize the legacy Margret Dulaney created for her overwhelming support of the arts. The endowment fund has since provided thousands of dollars in support to local agencies with arts-integrated programs each year and has provided the footing for support of the Foundation’s annual Summer Arts Initiative program.

    Other early funds established with the Foundation include, the Alfred and Lucile Rosenbaum Fund for General Charitable Purposes, the Davidson Family Endowment for the Arts, and the McRae Endowment for Tourism Development in East Mississippi.

    Establishing funds and creating life-long legacies is the basis for the Community Foundation of East Mississippi. The Community Foundation now manages more than 60 funds with more than $4.6 million in total assets providing support to more than 50 agencies each year. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has disbursed and granted more than $1.5 million in the communities of East Mississippi in the areas of the arts and culture, community development, education and youth, and health and social services.  

    The Community Foundation has contributed to the important needs of the communities served in East Mississippi in the counties of Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Newton and Neshoba, but does not exist without its adversity.

    M’Lea Davis, executive director, and the Board of Directors for the Community Foundation of East Mississippi have come together to launch the Friends of the Community Foundation, a newly developed campaign aimed at raising funds for the continued success of the Community Foundation. The Friends of the Community Foundation giving campaign is being launched this summer under the leadership of Melanie Mitchell.  

    “In order to continue the successful works of the Community Foundation, it is imperative that we position ourselves financially for future growth and development of our community. Too many agencies and organizations in our area count on our support each year,” says Mitchell, chair of the Friends of the Community Foundation giving campaign.

    The Friends of the Community Foundation is a structured giving program. It allows individuals the flexibility to show their support with a one-time gift or a long-term pledge. Contributors will be listed in the Community Foundation’s annual report and website, or remain anonymous if they wish. Businesses will receive a link on the Foundation’s website as well.

    “We have much to be thankful for at the Community Foundation — contributing to the well-being of the communities we serve and experiencing first-hand the impact the Community Foundation is making on agencies and nonprofit organizations. It’s very exciting; however, we must address the issues facing the future of our organization and how we can continue to better serve those in need” said Davis, executive director for the Community Foundation of East Mississippi.

    To learn more about the Friends of the Community Foundation campaign and to receive a brochure packet, contact the Foundation at (601) 696-3035 or visit www.cfem.org.