August 2024

Reminder: CFM's Community Impact Grant Round

Closes on September 5!

Community Impact Grants are available to nonprofits to support projects up to $5,000. Eligible organizations include 501c3 nonprofits based in or directly serving any of the 22 counties within the service area of Community Foundation for Mississippi. No financial match is required, however, projects demonstrating community support will be prioritized.

Charitable organizations in the counties of Attala, Copiah, Franklin, Walthall, Jefferson, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith are highly encouraged to apply. 

Please review all eligibility requirements at formississippi.org/grants before applying.

Community Impact Grants are due by 11:59 p.m. on September 5 and will support projects in the following categories: Placemaking, Children and Families, and Community Partnerships. 

Fund Aims to Develop Leaders and Revitalize Jackson Community

Jason “Smiley” Abrams has a vision for creating a sustainable community in Jackson, Mississippi. The newly established Mississippi Reparative Actions Fund will empower college students and young professionals to grow as leaders and invest in the city they call home.

Abrams, Area Ministry Director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Founder of the Andy Abrams Foundation, has spent over 15 years serving students across Mississippi, Memphis and West Florida. Several years ago, he began to see the need for a space that could provide stability and community for students in college and after graduation.

This realization led Abrams to purchase a property in West Jackson six years ago with the intention of transforming it into a living and learning space for young leaders.After years of struggle and setbacks, including dealing with squatters and navigating the complexities of renovating a historic home, Abrams has finally gained the momentum and resources to bring his vision to life as The Discipleship House.

Mississippi Rural Placemaking Summit

Thank you to those who joined us for the first Mississippi Rural Placemaking Summit! We hope you enjoyed hearing from our keynote speaker, Carlton Turner, Lead Artist and Co-founder of Sipp Culture, as well as our phenomenal speakers and panelists at each of our break-out sessions! We are grateful to our local hosts and co-organizers, Pike School of Art and McComb Main Street Association, as well as our many statewide partners.

Our goal is that the conversations, inspirations, and information gained are not left to one day a year. Instead, we see this Summit as the jumping-off point, connecting people to placemaking resources and the individuals, organizations, and government entities who are using these techniques to better their communities in collaboration with the residents who call those places home all year round. For those who could not attend, you may be eager to see presentations and to connect others to possible funding opportunities, toolkits and resources to take the next step in their placemaking journey. We have compiled an extensive resource page as a follow-up for our attendees and encourage you to take a look.

Save the Date: Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is back! Join us on November 19 for this popular event where we’ll celebrate the community we build and support together with a unique storytelling experience through food from Chef Damien Cavicchi of Hal and Mal’s.

We will break bread together, share our stories, and even meet some new friends along the way. The table is set and we’ve taken care of everything. Now, all you have to do is bring your people—family, friends, and more!

Tickets will be available early this fall. For sponsorship opportunities, email communications@formississippi.org.

Grants From Other Sources

This list is a shared resource. For inquiries about each grant, CFM recommends contacting the grantmaking organization listed for more information.

National Grants



T-Mobile is investing $25M in 500 rural towns over 5 years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. Rural communities can apply for up to $50,000 for a Hometown Grant to bring their community idea to life. Twenty five grants are awarded each quarter. Learn more here.