Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance
MISSISSIPPI HILLS HERITAGE AREA is a public charity based in University, Mississippi, formed in 2004. It supports projects and programs connected to preserving, enhancing, interpreting, and promoting the cultural and heritage assets of the Hills Region.
Key facts about Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance
In short: Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance gave $387K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in Mississippi. 58% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 20-1103191
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $387,407
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- Average grant
- $32,284
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (7 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $106,437
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The organization’s filing says grant money is reimbursed after the project is complete, upon submission of cancelled checks, photographs of the project, and other forms showing that grant objectives have been met. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$106K
-9.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$387K
+126.9% YoY
Grant Count
12
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
+51.3% YoY
Is Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 12 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $37K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $15K repeat.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to “preserve, enhance, interpret, and promote the cultural and heritage assets of the Hills Region.” Its stated objectives include increasing jobs and visitation and developing and supporting projects and programs that sustain the region’s heritage tourism industry.
Its 2025 grants included support for preservation, repairs, economic impact, murals, renovations, a podcast series, an exhibit, a center, information kiosks, and a theater. Among its grantees, the University of Mississippi says its mission is to acquire, construct, maintain, and improve facilities for use by the university. The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council says its mission is to provide opportunities for children and adults in Lafayette County, the University community, and the surrounding region to enrich their lives through participation in its artistic and cultural programs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the organization gave 12 grants totaling $387,407. Grants ranged from $6,268 to $100,010, with a median grant of $20,000.
The largest grants included $100,010 to the University of Mississippi for “3D PRESERVE/FAULKNER,” $90,000 to Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation for “REPAIRS, SCULPTURE,” and $50,000 to Mississippi Main Street Association for “ECONOMIC IMPACT.” Other grants included $20,000 each to Chickasaw County Historical and Gen for a mural, Friends of Siege & Battle of Corinth for a guest renovation, Mississippi Presenters Network for a podcast series, and Starkville CVB to develop an exhibit.
How to Apply
The organization’s filing says grant money is reimbursed after the project is complete, upon submission of cancelled checks, photographs of the project, and other forms showing that grant objectives have been met.
Ready to take the next step with Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Mississippi and 4% went to a recipient in Oregon. The listed grants included recipients in University, Columbus, Jackson, Houston, Corinth, Oxford, Starkville, Ripley, Booneville, and McMinnville, Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $61K (2022) to $387K (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $387K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Mississippi ($100K). Together the top 10 received $368K.
Grant Size Distribution
36 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 36 (86%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi University, MS | 3D Preserve/Faulkner | $100,010 |
| Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundati Columbus, MS | Repairs, Sculpture | $90,000 |
| Mississippi Main Street Assn Jackson, MS | Economic Impact | $50,000 |
| Chickasaw County Historical and Gen Houston, MS | MURAL | $20,000 |
| Friends of Siege & Battle of Corint Corinth, MS | Renovation Guest | $20,000 |
| Mississippi Presenters Network Oxford, MS | Podcast Series | $20,000 |
| Starkville CVB Starkville, MS | Develop Exhibit | $20,000 |
| Tippah County Historical Museum Ripley, MS | Funding for Center | $17,973 |
| The Rosa Foundation McMinnville, OR | Enhancements | $14,852 |
| Yoknapatawpha Arts Council Oxford, MS | Preserve Field Recor | $14,817 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $106,437 | $706,240 | $719,047 | $387,407 (12 grants) |
| 2024 | $117,167 | $566,225 | $543,418 | $170,750 (8 grants) |
| 2023 | $96,357 | $543,235 | $506,664 | $153,500 (6 grants) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $106,437 | $117,167 | $96,357 |
| Revenue | $706,240 | $566,225 | $543,235 |
| Expenses | $719,047 | $543,418 | $506,664 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | $37 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 24, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Mary Cate Williams as director; Tyrisha Battle as president; Elizabeth Behm as secretary/treasurer; and Paige Hunt as vice president. It also lists Christy Burns, Nancy Carpenter, Stephanie Coomer, Kinney Ferris, Bob Gregory, and Beth Grisham as board members.
Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance is led by Tyrisha Battle, President since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tyrisha Battle
President
Board Member → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Cate Williams
Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$83K (2019) → $99K (2025)
Christy Burns
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Smith
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kinney Ferris
Board Member
Vice President → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Carpenter
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Behm
Secretary
President → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paige Hunt
Vice President
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Coomer
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Grisham
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Gregory
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Tubb
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Lori Tucker (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Leah Mitchell (2024) — Secretary
- Former: Margaret Futral (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Kim Terrell (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Neal McCoy (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Beth Waldo (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Ferrin Rainey (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Alyssa Benedict (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Theresa Cutshall (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Amy Lowe Lewis (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 $99K, to Mary Cate Williams (Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 850 Insight Park Avenue, University, MS 38677
Phone: (662) 269-2580
Website: https://mississipphills.org
Frequently asked questions about Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance
How much does Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance give each year?
Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance gave $387K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $171K across 8 grants.
What is Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance's typical grant size?
Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $32,284, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance that year got $29K on average.
Where does Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance give grants?
Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance gives mostly in Mississippi: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Oxford, MS (3 grants).
Does Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance's largest grantees?
Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance's largest 2025 grantees include University of Mississippi ($100,010), Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundati ($90,000) and Mississippi Main Street Assn ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance?
Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance reported $106K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $706K.
What does Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to “preserve, enhance, interpret, and promote the cultural and heritage assets of the Hills Region.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance?
The organization’s filing says grant money is reimbursed after the project is complete, upon submission of cancelled checks, photographs of the project, and other forms showing that grant objectives have been met. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance's EIN?
Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1103191. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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