Mississippi First Inc
Mississippi First champions transformative policy solutions ensuring educational excellence for every misssissippi child.
Mississippi First Inc at a glance
In short: Mississippi First Inc gave $2.5M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $312K), mostly in Mississippi. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,496,044
- +155.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $312,006
- +27.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $158,015
- Total assets
- $2,452,339
- -52.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Mississippi First Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation of Mississippi ($1.4M). Together the top 7 received $2.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($45,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 15 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $978K (2024) to $2.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Mississippi Jackson, MS | To create a start-up grant fund for new or expanding charter schools. | $1,407,500 |
| Republic Schools Inc Jackson, MS | Entered info a subgrantee agreement to disburse a charter schools program (CSP) subgrant under the organizations 2024 CSP award. | $396,325 |
| Clarksdale Collegiate Clarksdale, MS | Entered info a subgrantee agreement to disburse a charter schools program (CSP) subgrant under the organizations 2024 CSP award. | $242,139 |
| Instant Impact Global Prep Natchez, MS | Entered info a subgrantee agreement to disburse a charter schools program (CSP) subgrant under the organizations 2024 CSP award. | $174,146 |
| SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy Ridgeland, MS | Entered info a subgrantee agreement to disburse a charter schools program (CSP) subgrant under the organizations 2024 CSP award. | $141,884 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $45,000 |
| Jackson Public School District Jackson, MS | Entered info a subgrantee agreement to disburse a charter schools program (CSP) subgrant under the organizations 2024 CSP award. | $45,000 |
| Mississippi Global Academy Chicago, IL | Entered info a subgrantee agreement to disburse a charter schools program (CSP) subgrant under the organizations 2024 CSP award. | $44,050 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,452,339 | $1,751,107 | $4,647,928 | $2,496,044 | 8 | $45,418 |
| 2024 | $5,134,021 | $996,445 | $2,877,802 | $977,895 | 4 | $29,151 |
| 2023 | $6,956,517 | $465,618 | $2,417,234 | $1,151,777 | 3 | $16,101 |
| 2022 | $8,768,110 | $8,796,715 | $761,856 | — | — | $596 |
| 2021 | $657,428 | $1,024,990 | $925,338 | — | — | $429 |
About Mississippi First Inc
Based on IRS filings
Mississippi First Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Jackson, MS. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $2.5M. Net investment income was $45K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Mississippi First Inc is led by Tim Abram, Chair on every filing since 2023; 3 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tim Abram
Chair
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Micayla R. Tatum
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$101K (2025)
Toren H. Ballard
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$102K (2025)
Rachel Canter
Former Executive Director
Executive Director → Former Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$96K (2021) → $185K (2025)
Catoria Martin Esq.
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Gluckman
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ki Harris
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Adam Smith (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lekesha Perry (2021–2022) — Chair
- Former: Timothy Abram II (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brett Harris (2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $185K, to Rachel Canter (Former Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mississippi First Inc
How much does Mississippi First Inc give each year?
Mississippi First Inc gave $2.5M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $978K across 4 grants.
What is Mississippi First Inc's typical grant size?
Mississippi First Inc's median grant in 2025 was $158,015, and its average grant was $312,006, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Mississippi First Inc give grants?
Mississippi First Inc gives mostly in Mississippi: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, MS (3 grants).
Does Mississippi First Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Mississippi First Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Mississippi First Inc's largest grantees?
Mississippi First Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Community Foundation of Mississippi ($1,407,500), Republic Schools Inc ($396,325) and Clarksdale Collegiate ($242,139), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($45,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mississippi First Inc?
Mississippi First Inc reported $2.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
What is Mississippi First Inc?
Mississippi First Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Jackson, MS. It holds $2.5M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Mississippi First Inc's EIN?
Mississippi First Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 80-0310153. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mississippi First Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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