Community Foundation for Mississippi
The Community Foundation for Mississippi is a public charity based in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1994, it connects donors, communities, and nonprofit organizations and supports charitable work in central and southwest Mississippi.
Community Foundation for Mississippi at a glance
In short: Community Foundation for Mississippi gave $6.2M across 104 grants in 2025 (avg $60K), mostly in Mississippi. 24% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,213,865
- +1.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 104
- -5.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $59,749
- +7.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $19,500
- Total assets
- $90,343,422
- +1.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (25 of 104, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation for Mississippi
- Contact
Mailing address: 119 S President Street 1St Floor, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 974-6044
Website: https://formississippi.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Community Foundation for Mississippi
Anthony “Tony” Gobar Juvenile Justice Scholarship Fund Grant
Community Foundation for Mississippi
Amount
Up to US $2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Bettye Smith Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund Grant
Community Foundation for Mississippi
Amount
US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Booker T. Jones Scholarship Fund
Community Foundation for Mississippi
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation for Mississippi funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Mississippi Charter Schools Association ($800K). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
613 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 495 grants of 613 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it serves 22 counties in central and southwest Mississippi. The counties named for the 2026 Community Impact Project Grant cycle were Adams, Attala, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, Holmes, Jefferson, Lawrence, Leake, Lincoln, Madison, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Walthall, Warren, Wilkinson, and Yazoo.
In 2025, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Mississippi. The remaining reported shares went to recipients in Virginia (4%), Colorado (2%), Illinois (1%), and Tennessee (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 104 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation for Mississippi open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 25 of 104 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $64K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 63% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+20%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.1M (2019) to $6.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 104 grants totaling $6.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Charter Schools Association Jackson, MS | General Oper Support | $800,000 |
| Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Jackson, MS | General Oper Support | $551,573 |
| University Press of Mississippi Jackson, MS | General Oper Support | $448,785 |
| Mississippi First Jackson, MS | General Oper Support | $340,000 |
| Program Believe Biloxi, MS | General Oper Support | $323,750 |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center - Children's Cancer Center Jackson, MS | General Oper Support | $309,614 |
| The Leadership Institute Arlington, VA | General Oper Support | $260,250 |
| Mississippi Journalism and Education Group Jackson, MS | General Oper Support | $152,500 |
| Lena Foundation Louisville, CO | General Oper Support | $136,000 |
| Mississippi Museum of Art Jackson, MS | General Oper Support | $123,250 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation for Mississippi?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $90,343,422 | $15,122,630 | $13,146,999 | $6,213,865 | 104 | $4,766,107 |
| 2024 | $89,151,374 | $15,838,728 | $15,782,051 | $6,122,789 | 110 | $3,567,580 |
| 2023 | $79,928,621 | $12,986,215 | $12,388,679 | $5,517,592 | 120 | $2,055,136 |
| 2022 | $83,674,378 | $14,302,332 | $12,409,595 | $5,183,701 | 119 | $4,436,080 |
| 2021 | $83,799,545 | $21,906,745 | $9,979,780 | $4,130,443 | 160 | $2,322,313 |
| 2019 | $54,776,620 | $8,079,936 | $7,851,718 | $3,065,123 | 81 | $2,482,138 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to connect donors, communities, and nonprofit organizations to make meaningful and lasting change for Mississippi. Its stated competitive-grant focus areas are Placemaking, Children and Families, and Community Partnerships. The foundation also holds endowments for purposes including arts and culture, community development, education, food and nutrition, health, human services, journalism, historic preservation, religion, and youth development.
The 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. The Mississippi Charter Schools Association says it works to develop and grow high-quality public charter schools, while Mississippi First says it champions policy solutions for educational excellence. The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra describes its work as providing cultural and educational services and fostering appreciation of symphonic music. The University Press of Mississippi says it encourages research and creative writing and distributes scholarly and creative works. Program Believe says it provides educational resources and immigration legal services to underserved communities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Grantmaking
The foundation’s 2025 filing reports 104 grants totaling $6,213,865. Itemized grants ranged from $5,500 to $800,000, with a median grant of $19,500. The largest awards included $800,000 to the Mississippi Charter Schools Association, $551,573 to the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, $448,785 to the University Press of Mississippi, $340,000 to Mississippi First, and $323,750 to Program Believe. The stated purpose for each of these awards was general operating support.
The foundation describes three forms of grantmaking: donor-directed grants from fund advisors, competitive grants managed according to individual funds’ criteria, and competitive grants managed directly by the foundation. Its website says CFM-managed competitive grants are reviewed by a decision-making committee based on eligibility and selection criteria, and that technical assistance is offered during the process.
A Community Impact Project Grant application cycle opened August 1, 2026, with applications due September 1, 2026. That cycle has passed. The grants offered up to $5,000 for projects in the foundation’s three focus areas. Eligible applicants included 501(c)(3) organizations, organizations working with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, and governmental entities in the specified 22-county service area.
The foundation also lists scholarship programs for individual students. These include the Booker T. Jones Scholarship for graduates of MINACT-run Job Corps programs planning to attend college, with a $5,000 award; the Samuel “Eric” Storm Memorial Scholarship for students pursuing advanced degrees in physical, occupational, or speech therapy, with a $2,500 award; and the JXN Water Scholarship for Hinds County public-school seniors interested in STEM studies related to water and wastewater careers, with an award of $2,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mark Fields as treasurer, Mark Hosemann as chair elect, and Ravi Raju as secretary. It also lists Deidra S. Bell, Felicia D. Gavin, Macy Hart, Marcus Ward, Ray Harrigill, Robbie Kemp, and Lurlene Irvin as board members.
Community Foundation for Mississippi is led by Jane C. Alexander, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 2 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jane C. Alexander
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$119K (2019) → $131K (2025)
Will Crossley
Chairman
Board Member → Vice Chairman, 2021
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Buchanan
Vice President of Operations
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $110K (2025)
Deidra S. Bell
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lurlene Irvin
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Macy Hart
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Fields
Treasurer
Secretary → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Hosemann
Chair Elect
Board Member → Vice Chairman, 2022
Vice Chairman → Chair Elect, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robbie Kemp
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Warwick Alley
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcus Ward
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ravi Raju
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Orlansky
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Felicia D. Gavin
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ray Harrigill
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Arnold Taylor Jr.
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Reed
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Good
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jody Varner
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Wiener
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Cooper Morrison (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: David Pharr (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Debra McGee (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Seetha Srinivasan (2019–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Joseph E. Varner III (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph Moss (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Paula Hood (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Shanell H. Watson (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jackie P. Bailey (2019–2022) — Vice President of Operations
- Former: Jon C. Turner (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Ashley N. Wicks (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Stacy Thomas (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas F. Darnell (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Candie Simmons (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Charles W. Nicholson Jr. (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Jamie Houston (2019) — Board Vice Chairman
- Former: Jan Lewis (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Janet Y. Harris (2019) — Board Member
- Former: John Hill (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Kelley Williams Jr. (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Kenny Windham (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Larry Edwards (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Yerger Dunbar (2019) — Secretary
- Former: Stephen Johnston (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $131K, to Jane C Alexander (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation for Mississippi
How much does Community Foundation for Mississippi give each year?
Community Foundation for Mississippi gave $6.2M across 104 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $6.1M across 110 grants.
What is Community Foundation for Mississippi's typical grant size?
Community Foundation for Mississippi's median grant in 2025 was $19,500, and its average grant was $59,749, across 104 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation for Mississippi that year got $64K on average.
Where does Community Foundation for Mississippi give grants?
Community Foundation for Mississippi gives mostly in Mississippi: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, MS (58 grants), Ridgeland, MS (4 grants), Oxford, MS (3 grants) and Madison, MS (3 grants).
Does Community Foundation for Mississippi give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Community Foundation for Mississippi's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (104 of 104) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Community Foundation for Mississippi's largest grantees?
Community Foundation for Mississippi's largest 2025 grantees include Mississippi Charter Schools Association ($800,000), Mississippi Symphony Orchestra ($551,573) and University Press of Mississippi ($448,785), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation for Mississippi?
Community Foundation for Mississippi reported $90.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $15.1M.
What does Community Foundation for Mississippi fund?
The foundation’s mission is to connect donors, communities, and nonprofit organizations to make meaningful and lasting change for Mississippi. Its stated competitive-grant focus areas are Placemaking, Children and Families, and Community Partnerships. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation for Mississippi?
Community Foundation for Mississippi has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check formississippi.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Foundation for Mississippi's EIN?
Community Foundation for Mississippi's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0845750. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation for Mississippi's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Van Devender Family Foundation William Van Devender Trustee
Jackson, MS
The Van Devender Family Foundation supports schools, churches and ministries, health organizations, and housing or community initiatives, primarily in Mississippi. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $202,500, with a median of $5,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
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Total Given
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Enterprise Holdings Foundation
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The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
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Walker Foundation
Ridgeland, MS
Walker Foundation funds arts, education, schools, community services, neighborhood improvement, and religious organizations, with most of its giving in Mississippi. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. The filing does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$15.7M
Grants
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Total Given
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Selby and Richard McRae Foundation
Jackson, MS
In 2024, the foundation funded education and construction, scholarships, disaster relief, legal services, homelessness assistance, religion, and arts and culture, with most giving in Mississippi and additional grants in North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, and Georgia. Its 44 grants totaled about $2.44 million, with a median award of $25,000 and grants ranging from $71 to $310,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$36.3M
Grants
44
Total Given
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Ergon Foundation Inc
Jackson, MS
The foundation funds medical research, education, community development, and services for children with communication disorders, with most giving in Mississippi. In 2025, its grants ranged from $2,500 to $615,000, with a median of $25,000. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$210.7M
Grants
158
Total Given
$10.8M
Century Club Charities Inc
Ridgeland, MS
Century Club Charities supports Mississippi nonprofits, with a primary focus on Children’s of Mississippi and additional giving for health, human services, hunger relief, youth, education, arts, and animal care. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $1 million, with a median of $10,500; nearly all grant dollars went to Mississippi. No application process or deadline is stated.
Assets
$5.4M
Grants
36
Total Given
$1.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Mississippi
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation for Mississippi funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-for-mississippi-morg_b1f85ee43d7a43129cefed8634fb33a9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_640845750_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation for Mississippi funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-for-mississippi-morg_b1f85ee43d7a43129cefed8634fb33a9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation for Mississippi's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Community Foundation for Mississippi down — hundreds of funders to go?