July 2024

Last chance to register for the Mississippi Rural Placemaking Summit in McComb!

Join the Community Foundation for Mississippi and community partners on August 1, 2024 for the Mississippi Rural Placemaking Summit, a unique conference experience where attendees from small and rural communities can connect with other individuals, organizations, and government entities using placemaking techniques to celebrate and strengthen the places they live, work and play. 

This one-day summit will take place in multiple venues across downtown McComb, providing an interactive experience like no other! Participants will learn from panelists who have used placemaking techniques to implement changes across their communities. Sessions will include everything from community storytelling to creating a healthier community, implementing public art in your community, repurposing and preserving historical spaces, and using placemaking techniques for more authentic community engagement.

CFM's Community Impact Grant Round Opens August 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.

Please review all eligibility requirements at formississippi.org/grants before applying. Technical assistance will be available each week throughout the application process.

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. 

Welcome to CFM, Jay Philpott!

Welcome, Jay, to the CFM team! Jay officially joined us in early July as the VP of Growth and Development. Over the span of 25 years, he has honed his skills in marketing, fundraising, and revenue generation, primarily within independent schools, colleges, and universities across the Southeast Region. 

Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Jay pursued his education at a boarding school in New York before earning his Bachelor of Arts in History from Presbyterian College (SC) and his Master of Science in Leadership with a concentration in higher education from the University of Memphis (TN). 

Throughout his career, Jay has spearheaded fundraising and revenue efforts at various institutions, including Presbyterian College (SC), Sweet Briar College (VA), Rhodes College (TN), The University of Memphis (TN), St. George’s Independent School (TN), Trinity-Pawling School (NY), and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (MS). His development work has taken him across the Southeast and Midwest, where he has cultivated relationships and secured funding for crucial educational initiatives. 

Fund Spotlight: Susan and Macy Hart

Susan and Macy Hart care about local. When it came to making decisions about their charitable giving, the choice was easy: create a donor advised fund (DAF) at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Instead of individual gifts to nonprofits, the Harts make one gift to CFM each year and decide on grants together as a family to the causes they care about.

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.

State Grants



Volunteer Mississippi's Volunteer and Civic Engagement grant is due August 1, 2024. Projects must take place from July 1, 2024 and December 1, 2024. These projects will engage Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. The award range is between $1,500 and $10,000. 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.