On Jan. 28, 1998, four friends and business associates created an organization with an express chartered mission of being a primary catalyst “to make grants to charitable and governmental organizations for charitable purposes and to provide financial resources and assistance for community-wide projects and programs in healthcare, education, and the betterment of cultural, environmental and economic conditions for the people of Meridian and Lauderdale County, Mississippi.”

Twenty years later, The Riley Center, the organization founded by Dr. Richard F. Riley, Dr. William G. Riley, I. Alfred Rosenbaum and Robert B. Deen, Jr., continues its mission.

According to Deen, president and former chairman of the board, the Foundation began with $59 million in charitable assets, received from the sale of Riley Memorial Hospital, and quickly became an active, local philanthropic facility. Since 1998, the Foundation has made grants of $69 million.

“With thanks to prudent stewardship, the Foundation’s assets now exceed $75 million for furthering its mission of improving the quality of life for its citizens,” Deen said.

“We love Meridian and Lauderdale County,” said Marty Davidson, chairman of the board of directors and CEO of The Foundation. “We exist to make our hometown better for those who live and work here, and feel privileged and honored to have so many worthy local partners that share our commitment and help us advance toward that goal.”

Davison also observed:

“The Foundation’s good works extend far beyond financial. Its staff members, officers and directors continually collaborate with other organizations and regularly contribute to community meetings, forums and other discussions dedicated to moving Meridian and Lauderdale County forward. We are proud and humbled to have the opportunity to continue being a positive force for Meridian and Lauderdale County.”

The Foundation made an early impact with a $15 million initial investment as it partnered with Mississippi State University to develop the MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts, which marked the beginning of Meridian’s ongoing downtown revitalization. The Foundation and MSU have continued that partnership by revitalizing and beautifully restoring a block-long stretch of three historic downtown buildings into the Riley Campus of MSU Meridian.

The MSU Riley Center including the former Marks Rothenberg Department Store, and the Grand Opera House, the Deen Building which housed the Newberry Department Store and the Rosenbaum Building once home to the Kress Department Store now accommodate a performing arts center, conference center, exhibit hall, the Division of Business and Kinesiology Program, a library, a Bulldog Shop that sells MSU merchandise, and the developing physician assistant program. The Riley Foundation has spent more than $38 million to reinvigorate this block.

A $4 million Foundation investment played a key role in bringing to downtown Meridian the just-opened Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX), which promises to put the city on the national and international tourism map. Another Foundation commitment of $4 million will help create the forthcoming Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian along the 22nd Avenue gateway to the city. The new 20,000-square-foot building will be the first satellite campus of the Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson.

The Foundation addresses less visible needs that are perhaps even more important to the community’s long-term economic vitality. For example, a $3.7 million grant to Meridian Community College Workforce Development helps ensure that local businesses have the best-trained workforce possible and that individuals gain the skills they need to thrive and advance in a wide variety of careers.

Becky Farley, executive director, reported that the Foundation has also provided more than $1.4 million in scholarships for students at Meridian Community College and Mississippi State University. Grants have been awarded for the arts, shelters, food kitchens, after-school programs, education, medical needs and many other undertakings. Financial support for many other charitable and governmental organizations and community-wide projects and programs included in the following categories:

• Arts and Culture: $1,822,152

• Civic and Community: $5,686,621

• Education: $47,031,831

• Education and Arts: $8,532,446

• Health and Human Services: $2,669,949

• Other: $3,484,367

The Board of Directors helps guide The Foundation’s activities: Marty Davidson, Board chairman, CEO, treasurer; Robert B. Deen Jr., president, Chief Operating Officer; Malcolm Portera, Ph.D., vice president, secretary; Gail W. Riley; Richard F. Riley Jr.; Edwin Downer; Tommy Dulaney; Mary Ann Riley; Manny Mitchell; Christine Riley; and Wayne Henson.

Becky Farley is executive director of The Foundation, and Beverly Bryson is administrative assistant.

For more information, visit the website of The Riley Foundation at www.rileyfoundation.org.