June 2023

Summer Grant Round Closes Thursday, June 15!

Image: Mississippi Children's Museum

Community Impact Grants

Summer Round

Opens: May 15, 2023

Closes: June 15, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Community Impact Grants are project grants available to nonprofits for up to $5,000.

Eligible organizations include 501c3 nonprofits residing in any of the 22 counties served by the Community Foundation for Mississippi. No financial match is required, however projects demonstrating community support will be prioritized.

For our 2023-2024 fiscal year, Community Impact Grants will support projects in the following areas: Placemaking, Children & Families and Community Partnerships.

Nonprofit organizations in the following counties are strongly encouraged to apply: Attala, Holmes, Leake, Warren, Scott, Smith, Simpson, Copiah, Jefferson, Claiborn, Adams, Wilkinson, Walthall, Lawrence, Claiborne.

Nonprofit Capacity Building Mini-Grants

Open year-round

The Community Foundation for Mississippi believes in supporting a nonprofit’s journey to sustainability. In line with this belief, CFM is offering Nonprofit Capacity Building Mini-Grants. These grants are intended to support financial or in-kind technical and professional development services needed to increase the financial sustainability of nonprofits within CFM’s service area.

Awards may include direct technical assistance such as assistance with grant writing, endowment building or may include scholarships to attend training for professional development and organizational growth. In some cases, financial assistance to hire nonprofit consultants or other specialized assistance may be selected.

Solving A Mystery: The Zeita And Wayne Parker Charitable Fund

What does the Community Foundation for Mississippi, the Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind and the Mississippi Office of the Treasurer have in common? Zeita Parker. Yet, several months ago, these links were a mystery.

Several dots connected later, the Zeita and Wayne Parker Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi has been created to help benefit the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Mississippi School for the Blind.

National Standards Reaccreditation Affirms CFM’s Commitment To Excellence

CFM recently received reaccreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®! This accreditation indicates that CFM meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.

National Standards is not mandatory, but community foundations that apply choose to go above and beyond by affirming their commitment to excellence and accountability. This accreditation assures that CFM has sound policies and practices in place, meeting the highest standards for local giving.

Jackson Friends of the Library Launches New Fund at CFM

Jackson Friends of the Library board members (left to right) Hunter Evans, David Long and Emmaline Smith.

The Jackson Friends of the Library (JFOL) is relaunching after a hiatus, including the creation of a new fund, the Jackson Friends of the Library General Fund, at the Community Foundation for Mississippi to support their growth. CFM recently talked with JFOL board member Emmaline Smith to get the skinny on their relaunch and their successful recent kick-off event, A Night with Wright.

Mississippi-Based Grants

The Children's Foundation of Mississippi RFP application for Early Childhood Council Planning Grants is now open. To begin designing a better future, the Children's Foundation for Mississippi has undertaken signature initiatives to “turn the curve” for children and youth in Mississippi. Recognizing that no one knows what a community needs more than the members of the community itself, they have launched planning grants to establish Early Childhood Councils (ECCs) at the local level. They currently have 9 established councils, and they plan to expand this program state-wide over the next several years by awarding Early Childhood Council planning grants yearly. 

This year, CFM will fund up to 9 communities and each newly established council will receive a planning grant of $2,000. To learn more about ECCs or the RFP process, or if you are unsure if your county already has an ECC established, please click here.

If you have any inquiries about ECCs or the application process, please email [email protected].

Volunteer Mississippi has two grant opportunities now open. The Disaster Relief Mini-Grant is offering reimbursements to support relief efforts between 1,500-5,000 for eligible expenses incurred related to the severe weather event between March 25-25, 2023. Volunteer Mississippi is also offering Volunteer and Civic Engagement Mini-Grants between $1,500-5,000 for projects taking place between April 15 - June 15, 2023 to support projects related to civic engagement. Both grants are open to nonprofits in Mississippi and local government entities and must engage 10 or more volunteers. Find out more here. 

Regional Grants

South Arts is a regional arts organization that works to empower artists, organizations and, communities throughout the South, increasing their access to arts and culture. Opening June 1, 2023, South Arts is offering its Cross Sector Impact Grant, open to nonprofits, units of government, higher education institutes, or artists. Grants up to $15,000 will be awarded to support the collaboration between arts organizations (or artists) and one NON-arts organization. This grant is an opportunity for non-arts focused nonprofits to partner together to on a collaborative project, grants are matched at a 1:2 ratio. Find out more here.

National Grants 

Non-profit organizations can apply for a $10,000 Kentucky Fried Wishes grant through the KFC Foundation to fund an actionable project on their wish list. 50 non-profits will be selected to win a $10,000 grant.

Before submitting your application, review the Grant Application Guide and Template for tips on creating a winning proposal. The application deadline is June 30, 2023. Learn more here.