The Luckyday Foundation
The Luckyday Foundation is a private foundation based in Jackson, Mississippi. Established in 1978 by Frank Rogers Day, it has a primary focus on providing college scholarships to Mississippi residents and funds the Luckyday Scholars Programs at three Mississippi universities.
The Luckyday Foundation at a glance
In short: The Luckyday Foundation gave $6.4M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $533K), mostly in Mississippi. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,398,352
- -2.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -7.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $533,196
- +6.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $9,750
- Total assets
- $146,566,282
- +4.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Luckyday Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications are available from the foundation office and are accepted at any time. The foundation states that successful applicants are usually notified within three months. Its stated award restrictions are educational institutions, churches, and organizations benefiting the sick and needy.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted at any time.
- Contact
Application contact: Mr Jamie Houston Luckyday Foundatio
Mailing address: 1020 Highland Colony Parkway Suite, 804, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: (601) 354-5869
Website: https://luckyday.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Luckyday Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was USM Foundation- Lucky Day Scholars Program ($2.4M). Together the top 10 received $6.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 76 (42%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars itemized for 2024 went to recipients in Mississippi.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Luckyday Foundation open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) 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 $2.4M; repeat grants $363K. How we count
Medians: $2.4M first-time, $8K repeat.
- 83% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.6M (2020) to $6.6M (2022). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $6.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| USM Foundation- Lucky Day Scholars Program Hattiesburg, MS | Provide Support for Higher Education | $2,400,289 |
| University of Mississippi Foundation University, MS | Provide Support for Higher Education | $2,247,500 |
| MSU Foundation Mississippi State, MS | To Provide Support for Higher Education | $1,674,813 |
| Hinds Community College Development Foundation Raymond, MS | To Promote Higher Education | $15,000 |
| The Gleaners Inc Jackson, MS | Provide Food for the Needy | $15,000 |
| Stewpot Community Services Jackson, MS | Provide Food for the Needy | $12,000 |
| Dixie National Rodeo Mississippi State, MS | To Provide Funds for Cultural Programs | $7,500 |
| Ms Children's Museum Jackson, MS | To Provide Funds for Cultural Programs for Kids | $7,500 |
| The Wilson Research Foundation Jackson, MS | To provide support of rehabilitation center clinical research and therapy | $7,500 |
| Mississippi Food Network Jackson, MS | Provide Food for the Needy | $6,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Luckyday Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $146,566,282 | $13,173,858 | $7,467,004 | $6,398,352 | 12 | $6,740,972 | $12,391,402 | $7,269,341 |
| 2023 | $140,859,397 | $11,870,217 | $7,439,871 | $6,529,206 | 13 | $6,860,593 | $11,070,243 | $6,722,578 |
| 2022 | $136,429,051 | $10,924,086 | $7,749,496 | $6,641,334 | 19 | $7,022,738 | $9,894,632 | $6,917,061 |
| 2021 | $133,254,350 | $18,589,397 | $7,307,160 | $6,458,384 | 20 | $6,781,829 | $18,052,753 | $7,280,387 |
| 2020 | $121,972,113 | $7,385,347 | $6,449,793 | $5,617,154 | 12 | — | $6,939,571 | $6,408,408 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Luckyday Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to create a community of scholars who aspire to servant leadership through its core values of scholarship, community, service, and leadership. Its website describes the Luckyday Scholars experience as combining scholarship aid with opportunities for personal and professional growth, service, and leadership development.
The foundation funds the Luckyday Scholars Programs at the University of Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Mississippi State University. In 2024, it also gave to organizations with other stated purposes. For example, Stewpot Community Services says its mission is to provide meals, shelter, and other services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Mississippi Food Network says it works to relieve poverty-related hunger through food distribution and nutrition education. The Wilson Research Foundation says it funds research, education, technology, and other needs in support of Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 12 grants totaling $6,398,352. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $2,400,289, with a median of $9,750. Its three largest grants supported higher education: $2,400,289 to the USM Foundation for the Lucky Day Scholars Program, $2,247,500 to the University of Mississippi Foundation, and $1,674,813 to the MSU Foundation.
Other 2024 grants included $15,000 each to Hinds Community College Development Foundation and The Gleaners; $12,000 to Stewpot Community Services; and $7,500 each to Dixie National Rodeo, the MS Children’s Museum, and the Wilson Research Foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jamie G. Houston III as chairman of the board; Gerard R. Host as vice chairman; Kristin R. Merrell as secretary; Granville Tate and Mary Preston Dubberly as foundation managers; and Trustmark National Bank as trustee.
The Luckyday Foundation is led by Jamie G. Houston III, Chairman of the Board since 2022 (on filings since 2020); all 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jamie G. Houston III
Chairman of the Board
Foundation Manager → Chairman of the Board, 2022
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $80K (2024)
Trustmark National Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$77K (2021) → $85K (2024)
Kristin R. Merrell
Secretary
Foundation Manager → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Gerard R. Host
Vice Chairman
Foundation Manager → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$25K (2022) → $20K (2024)
Granville Tate
Foundation Manager
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$20K (2022) → $20K (2024)
Mary Preston Dubberly
Foundation Manager
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
$20K (2023) → $20K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Holmes S. Adams (2020–2022) — Former Chairman of the Board · Filing note: Ended date 123121
- Former: S. Griffin Norquist Jr. (2020–2022) — Foundation Manager
- Former: Jerry Host (2020–2021) — Foundation Manager
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $85K, to Trustmark National Bank (Trustee). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Luckyday Foundation
How much does The Luckyday Foundation give each year?
The Luckyday Foundation gave $6.4M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.5M across 13 grants.
What is The Luckyday Foundation's typical grant size?
The Luckyday Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $9,750, and its average grant was $533,196, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Luckyday Foundation that year got $2.4M on average.
Where does The Luckyday Foundation give grants?
The Luckyday Foundation gives mostly in Mississippi: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Jackson, MS (5 grants) and Mississippi State, MS (2 grants).
Does The Luckyday Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Luckyday Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Provide Food for the Needy" (3 grants).
Who are The Luckyday Foundation's largest grantees?
The Luckyday Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include USM Foundation- Lucky Day Scholars Program ($2,400,289), University of Mississippi Foundation ($2,247,500) and MSU Foundation ($1,674,813), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Luckyday Foundation?
The Luckyday Foundation reported $146.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Luckyday Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to create a community of scholars who aspire to servant leadership through its core values of scholarship, community, service, and leadership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Luckyday Foundation?
Applications are available from the foundation office and are accepted at any time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Luckyday Foundation's EIN?
The Luckyday Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-0617746. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Luckyday Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-luckyday-foundation-morg_ee50a2d8d7e94c41a6d9f460602eb05f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_640617746_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Luckyday Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-luckyday-foundation-morg_ee50a2d8d7e94c41a6d9f460602eb05f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 The Luckyday Foundation'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.
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