TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALUMNI AND FRIENDS IN ORDER TO SECURE PRIVATE FUNDS AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (USM). THE FOUNDATION RECEIVES, INVESTS AND DISTRIBUTES PRIVATE GIFTS IN SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY'S MISSION.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$214.5M
+10.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.8M
+22.5% YoY
Grant Count
3
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3.6M
+63.3% YoY
About University of Southern Mississippi
Based on IRS filings
University of Southern Mississippi is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in HATTIESBURG, MS. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $214.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $10.8M. Net investment income was $13.6M.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with University of Southern Mississippi?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $214,494,117 | $194,257,683 | $165,505,905 |
| Revenue | $27,673,521 | $26,790,188 | $17,712,238 |
| Expenses | $14,922,122 | $12,071,547 | $12,862,991 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $13,615,715 | $5,603,632 | $3,357,568 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include University of Southern Mississippi ($10,777,049), University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association ($9,310), University of Southern Ms Athletic Foundation ($8,762).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI HATTIESBURG, MS | USM PROGRAMS | $10,777,049 |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HATTIESBURG, MS | USM ALUMNI PROGRAMS | $9,310 |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MS ATHLETIC FOUNDATION HATTIESBURG, MS | USM ATHLETICS | $8,762 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STACE MERCIER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 40 | $142,034 |
| ELISSA ERNST | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $104,572 |
| LESLEE SMITH | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $87,337 |
| CHRIS ANDERSON | PRESIDENT | 0.52 | — |
| OMAR NELSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.54 | — |
| WADE HOWK TREASURER | AND FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR | 0.23 | — |
| JOE QUINLAN | IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT | 0.52 | — |
| REBECCA BOUDREAUX | BOARD MEMBER | 0.27 | — |
| CARLEN CHESTANG | BOARD MEMBER | 0.38 | — |
| ALAN COATS | BOARD MEMBER | 1.83 | — |
| LISA CONN | BOARD MEMBER | 0.42 | — |
| BEVERLY DALE | BOARD MEMBER | 1.96 | — |
| ROBERT DONNELL | BOARD MEMBER | 0.46 | — |
| CINDY GADDIS | MEMBER-AT-LARGE | 0.6 | — |
| TOM GIBBENS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.35 | — |
| KEVIN GILBERT | BOARD MEMBER | 0.29 | — |
| CAROL JONES-RUSSELL | POLICY AND BYLAWS COMMITTEE CHAIR | 0.29 | — |
| SCOTT LANEHART | BOARD MEMBER | 0.44 | — |
| JOY LIGHTSEY | BOARD MEMBER | 0.4 | — |
| VICKIE LOCK | BOARD MEMBER | 0.4 | — |
| ADELE LYONS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.46 | — |
| KEITH MOONEY | BOARD MEMBER | 0.54 | — |
| GERALD MUMFORD | BOARD MEMBER | 1.62 | — |
| JENNIFER PAYNE | BOARD MEMBER | 0.33 | — |
| RHONDA PHILLIPS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.15 | — |
| RODERICK POSEY | BOARD MEMBER | 0.52 | — |
| TRACY POWELL | RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR | 0.6 | — |
| CHUCK SCIANNA | BOARD MEMBER - THRU 1/14/2025 | 0.29 | — |
| DEMARIO SMITH | BOARD MEMBER | 0.35 | — |
| STEVE STRICKLAND | INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR | 0.65 | — |
| EDWARD TAYLOR | BOARD MEMBER | 0.13 | — |
| ADALIUS THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.21 | — |
| SUSAN WILLIAMS | BOARD MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| ALVIS WRIGHT | BOARD MEMBER | 0.37 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is University of Southern Mississippi?
University of Southern Mississippi is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in HATTIESBURG, MS. It holds $214.5M in total assets as of 2025.
How large is University of Southern Mississippi?
As of 2025, University of Southern Mississippi holds $214.5M in total assets with $27.7M in annual revenue. It awarded 3 grants totaling $10.8M in 2025.
Where does University of Southern Mississippi operate?
University of Southern Mississippi has awarded grants in Mississippi.
What size grants does University of Southern Mississippi award?
In 2025, University of Southern Mississippi awarded 3 grants totaling $10.8M — an average of about $3.6M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is University of Southern Mississippi's EIN?
University of Southern Mississippi's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 64-6022505. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in University of Southern Mississippi's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.