December 2024

Support our local nonprofits for Giving Tuesday!

Today is Giving Tuesday! One great way to give back is by supporting a fund established at the Community Foundation for Mississippi to ensure what you give supports your local community. Whether you're passionate about education, the arts, health, or helping neighbors in need, we have funds that match your interests and make a difference right here at home.

Not sure what you want to support today? Visit our donate page and filter to the causes you care about! Or, support CFM in several ways, including making your annual contribution to support our current and future work through our annual fund and endowment fund or our Community Trust Fund, which helps us make an impact through grants each year in central and southwest Mississippi.

Friendsgiving 2024

We recently gathered for our second annual Friendsgiving — a celebration of food, friendship, and the family you choose. It was a truly heartwarming evening filled with community spirit and incredible food by Chef Damien Cavicchi of Hal and Mal's.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and to our incredible sponsors who made the night possible! Your support helps us continue building a stronger, more connected Mississippi.

Thank you to our Friendsgiving sponsors

CFM Announces 2024 Community Impact Grantees

Pastor Tonya Ware grabs potatoes from a table in front of her for a grocery bag she is packing as part of Jackson Community Concrete Markets. The markets were a 2023 Community Impact grantee and The Church Triumphant Global’s 2.0 project is a 2024 grantee.

The Community Foundation for Mississippi recently announced eighteen grant recipients through its Community Impact Grants to support projects aligned with CFM’s focus areas: children and families, community partnerships and placemaking. This grant program supports project grants up to $5,000 for organizations within CFM’s 22 county service area. Community Impact Grants are primarily supported through its donor-supported Community Trust Fund.

In the News: Shackelford Fund Improvements and Murrah Pleiades

John F. and Lucy Shackelford Fund

Several downtown Jackson spots just received a refresh, thanks to the John and Lucy Shackelford Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi!

The Pascagoula Street tunnel from State to Jefferson streets (under Hal and Mal's) was painted over several days. This extends work done by Downtown Jackson Partners to elevate the tunnel with new lighting and power washing. The iconic Welcome to Jackson mural (Pearl and State streets) is getting a refresh by A+ Signs and Creative, along with some brickwork and a protective coating to prevent fading. A bulk of the work was completed just in time for the National Folk Festival kick-off event on November 16.

We are excited to see this important entrance and exit to downtown get a facelift! Learn more about the projects with coverage from WLBT and WAPT. Learn more about the John and Lucy Shackelford Fund here.

Murrah Pleiades Literary and Visual Arts Fund

The magic of community foundations is that we are stronger when we work together and pool our resources. Murrah High School's literary magazine, Pleiades, is an incredible example of this in action!

From Sarah Ballard reviving the publication to Murrah alumni such as Susan Shands Jones, Georgia Wier and Karen Ezelle Redhead coming together to fundraise for production, generous community support has helped the Pleiades to thrive.

Learn more about the award-winning literary magazine and the Murrah Pleiades Literary and Visual Arts Fund at CFM created to support this work in this Mississippi Today feature. Click here to learn more about the fund and support their efforts.

End of the Year Reminders

The end of the year will be here soon! The Community Foundation for Mississippi has several important dates for you to keep in mind as you think about year-end giving to ensure your financial contributions make an impact with nonprofits by December 31, 2024.

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.

Statewide Grants

Mississippi Humanities Council grants program seeks to fund projects that stimulate meaningful community dialogue, attract diverse audiences, are participatory and engaging, and apply the humanities to our everyday lives. Grants may be used to support public humanities programs, exhibits, the planning of larger projects, and the development of original productions in film, television, radio, podcasts, or online resources. Grants of $2,500 or less are considered minigrants. There are no deadlines for minigrants, though applications must be received at least four weeks via their online portal before the program or proposed grant period begins. Documentary film grants have a deadline of December 15. Programs and expenditures may not occur fewer than 10 weeks after the deadline date. Learn more here.

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.