Give Thanks this month by Giving Back! | |
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi is celebrating the month of giving with you--the people who care! This month, there are a variety of opportunities to give as you consider your end-of-the-year giving goals. | |
November Causes & Corresponding Funds | |
Nov 1st: National Family Literacy Day | |
Nov 8th: National S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Day | |
Nov 11th: Veteran's Day
National Military Family Appreciation Month
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Nov 14th: National Rural Health Day
National Diabetes Awareness Month
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Nov 15th: National Philanthropy Day | |
Nov 17-23: Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week | |
Nov 25th: Elimination of Violence against Women Day | |
Nov 28th: Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 30th: Mississippi Day
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or you can... Browse our Funds by Category | |
To learn more about funds to support this month at the Community Foundation or to inquire about setting up a fund in support of a cause you care about, contact Stacye Trout (strout@cfnm.org) or call 662.449.5002 | |
Introducing New Staff Members! | |
REMINDER: Competitive Grants Application Open Once a Year | |
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi grants committee voted to change the competitive grant application cycle to an annual, once-a-year cycle that will be open in 2025 between July 1st and August 1st. For questions regarding the new annual grant cycle, please contact Donna Goldman (grants@cfnm.org) or call 662.449.5002 | |
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$60,000 Grant to James C. Kennedy Wellness Center's Food as Medicine Program | |
Community Foundation staff, MolinaCares Staff, James C. Kennedy Wellness Center Staff and Board Members, and others gathered in Charleston, MS on October 11th to celebrate the continuation of the Food is Medicine Program. | |
L-R: Stacye Trout, Ausheyia Cunningham, Laurie Williams, Dr. Catherine Moring, and Community Foundation Board Member Julia Mitchener Turnipseed | |
The James C. Kennedy Wellness Center opened its doors in 2016 and its Food Prescription Program started in 2019.
The program serves 50 families and involves the following:
- monthly gift cards to Super Value grocery store
- healthy eating education
- healthcare
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Staff Attends Delta Philanthropy Forum | |
Community Foundation Staff members attended the 2024 Delta Philanthropy Forum in Stoneville, MS at the Mississippi State Delta Research and Extension Center on October 21-22nd, the first forum in 5 years! There were 40+ funders (regional and national) who are contributing to the development of the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta regions. Two days of strategy making and relationship building as well as listening to panelists and community leaders speak of the needs as well as actionable solutions was inspiring for our staff.
Kara Dulaney, Director of the Box Project and Co-Director of the Maddox Nonprofit and Volunteer Resource HUB said, "My takeaway from this year's forum is that we need to listen, learn and love the communities that we are serving in the MS Delta. Impactful change is personal and it is the responsibility of funders to understand that. Trust the people who are vested and work to remove biases that limit organizations that are doing good work from receiving sustainable funding."
| Pictured L-R: Brenda Smith, Kim Davis, Kara Dulaney, Sophie Hathaway (Delta Fellow), and Dr. John Green (Director of Southern Rural Development Center at Mississippi State University). | |
You're busy as 2024 draws to a close! November is the time to set things in motion so you don’t get caught up in the year-end rush. Take 60 seconds to scan through these must-know tips for year-end giving.
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Consider giving highly appreciated stock, not cash, to your fund at the Community Foundation, thereby maximizing tax benefits. Think about opening a fund if you do not have one.
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Evaluate a “bundling” or “bunching” technique with your advisors to make gifts to donor-advised funds at the Community Foundation, exceeding the currently high standard deduction to be able to itemize. Then, donor-advised fund assets can be used over the next few years to support your favorite charities.
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If you are 70 ½ and older, make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to a designated or field-of-interest fund (donor-advised funds are ineligible recipients) at the Community Foundation–up to $105,000 per spouse. Plus, your QCD can satisfy your RMD (Required Minimum Distribution)!
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi is our region’s trusted source for all things philanthropy. Reach out to the Community Foundation team for help today! We are honored to serve you and your family as you pursue the charitable causes that mean the most to you. We are wishing you all the best for a safe and happy Thanksgiving Holiday!
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The Maddox Nonprofit & Volunteer Resource HUB is a program of the Community Foundation that specializes in community outreach and helps connect local nonprofits and volunteers with individuals, resources, and opportunities within their communities.
This month, Co-Directors Brenda Smith and Kara Dulaney continued their food pantry visits as they plan for 2025 programming and establish initial cohorts to work with.
To learn more about the HUB, contact bsmith@cfnm.org or kdulaney@cfnm.org
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Amazon Pallet Distribution | |
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, Maddox Nonprofit & Volunteer Resource HUB, and the Box Project were privileged to partner with Dr. Pam Chatman with Boss Lady Economic Planning & Development for her #55DaysofGiving this fall to host an Amazon pallet distribution center in Tunica, MS, where nonprofits from our 11-county service region were invited to come and "shop" for donation items.
“This has been one of the most impactful and rewarding projects that I have had the chance to participate in. You get to be on the frontlines in making impactful change by building communities and nonprofit organizations that serve the MS Delta.” Kara Dulaney, said. “I am especially thankful for the support from the Tunica County Sherriff KC Hamp, County Administrator Dr. Billy Willis, local businesses Nutrient AG and 991 Magnolia, LLC for their support to make this possible. Thank you to volunteers from the Tunica County Sheriff’s Department, Tunica Recreation Center, Tunica Woman’s Club, and other community members, this would not have been possible without you!!"
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Shelves of the warehouse were filled to the top after staff and volunteers spent two full days unloading, sorting, and organizing hundreds of boxes into sections for nonprofits to come in and easily identify what they need. There were two semi-trucks with over 30 pallets stacked tall with Amazon items of all kinds from baby items, clothes, and games to houseware, tools, and automotive equipment. Over 30 nonprofits from Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Panola, Shelby, Sunflower, Tate, and Tunica counties travelled to the warehouse to pick out items for their office, their clients, and their upcoming fundraising events to auction off! | |
A remaining 10 pallets were donated in full to Tunica County for their assistance in making the distribution such a success. Items from the pallets were used in part through the Tunica County Sherriff's Department to help domestic violence survivors get back on their feet. Other items were donated to local nonprofits and organizations like Tunica Humane Society, Tunica Parks and Recreation and others dedicated to making a difference in their community.
The event became even more touching when recipients of our Box Project program were invited to come and pick out items for themselves, leaving with new bedding or supplies for their children.
| We would like to extend a a special thanks to our community partners and our volunteers for making the distribution a success! | |
Northwest Mississippi Food Pantry Visits | |
The Maddox Nonprofit & Volunteer Resource HUB in partnership with Delta Directions as a part of the Healthier Mississippi initiative is making visits to local food pantries, farms and distribution centers as a follow up to their 2024 Hunger Summit Series. This allows them to assess needs and meet pantries where they are as they plan for 2025 programming. | |
Brenda, Kara and Delta Fellow Sophie Visit Food Pantries in Greenville and Leland, MS | |
The Box Project: Fighting Rural Poverty | |
The Box Project was established in 1962 by Northern philanthropists and activists amidst the Civil Rights Movement to aid southern black families living in rural poverty. In 2009, The Box Project became an official program of the Community Foundation, bringing is headquarters and services to the Mississippi Delta region where it all began. The Box Project continues to serve families in rural poverty by matching them with "sister" families from all over the United States who provide emotional and material support as parents (primarily single mothers) work against all odds to break the cycle of generational poverty in hopes that their children can have a better future.
To learn more, visit the website or contact director@boxproject.org
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Our Executive Board has agreed to sponsor a family in need this Christmas Season...
Will you join us?
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Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute Scholarship Fund | |
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The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi served as the fiscal agent for raising funds that went towards the Jerry Lee Lewis memorial statue that now stands unveiled in Silo Square. CFNM holds the Jerry Lee Lewis Scholarship Fund that will be used to support students with a dream and passion for music.
Check us out in Delta Magazine's Holiday issue on page 198!
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Left: Delta Regional Foundation Sponsor Joe Lang attends Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute statue unveiling at Silo Square.
Right: Ameliea Dulaney (CFNM) poses with Judith Lewis at the statue unveiling.
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NOVEMBER 8th-9th DICKENS CHRISTMAS | |
DECEMBER 3rd GIVING TUESDAY | |
To send us events to add to our calendar, email info@cfnm.org | | | | |