Foundation for the Mid South Grant

Overview

_Update: Foundation For The Mid South is starting an intensive Strategic Sprint to improve and grow strategically. To focus on this effort, we are pausing new grant requests until January 2025. During this period, FMS will continue to support existing grantees and ongoing projects. After the Strategic Sprint, FMS will resume accepting grant applications with enhanced processes and renewed focus._

About

We are in the business of improving lives in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It is a daunting task because the Mid South is home to 30% of the nation’s poverty, which has eroded the well-being of our communities, education and health systems, as well as financial security. These deficiencies—if left unhindered—will continue to grow and deny further opportunities to better conditions for families today and future generations.

The Foundation for the Mid South was established to bring together the public and private sectors and focus their resources on increasing social and economic opportunity. Our approach is straightforward and long term: enable communities to develop solutions to better conditions and improve lives.

Our Priorities

The Foundation for the Mid South focuses on strengthening four priorities that, we believe, are the bedrock for prosperous communities and a strong region.

Our Education Opportunities work supports efforts that help students succeed academically—by strengthening traditional education systems and programs and community institutions serving students.

In Healthy Opportunities, we work to promote physical and mental well-being in order to comprehensively improve the health status in the region.

In order to break the cycle of generational poverty, our Economic Opportunities work is helping people become financially secure so they can move up the economic ladder.

Education

_Our Challenge_

A strong foundation of education is essential not only to individuals but to the economic success of our region. Many companies struggle to find graduates with necessary skill sets. It is important that we achieve greater graduation rates, increased college enrollment numbers, and stronger workforce preparedness levels. The national high school graduation rate is 78.2%, but Mid South states have lower rates. Males of color are particularly at risk; nationally, only 52% of black males graduate from high school in four years.

_Our Opportunity_

Foundation for the Mid South offers enrichment opportunities and builds skills necessary for success in high school, college and the 21st century workplace. We aim to ensure that all youth, regardless of income, geography or race, receive equitable access to an effective learning environment.

_Our Strategy_

We partner with individuals and organizations committed to improving high school graduation rates, college preparedness and life outcomes of students. Current areas of focus include: tutoring, coaching, career development and learning and study strategies.

* Academic Success for All Students

* Focusing on academic strategies and enrichment opportunities to help students learn in effective and innovative ways.

* Academic Success for Males of Color

* Identifying critical skills to improve academic performance and life skills for young men of color.

Economic Opportunities

Programs and information to enable residents to manage their finances effectively and grow their wealth.

_Our Challenge_

Mid Southerners make poor financial decisions because they do not have adequate financial information and training. This limits residents’ ability to acquire wealth and creates a generational cycle of poverty.

_Our Opportunity_

The Foundation for the Mid South will use financial competency and asset building programs to improve the financial stability of approximately 300,000 households in the region.

_Our Strategy_

We provide programs and information to enable residents to manage their finances effectively and grow their wealth:

* Financial Competency
* Giving individuals and families the tools they need to make smart financial decisions.
* Asset Building

Healthy Opportunities

Improve individual and community health outcomes in chronic disease, mental health, and access to care.

_Our Challenge_

Mid South residents have more health problems and lower life expectancy than those in other parts of the nation. Unhealthy behaviors and lack of health services contribute to these problems. Approximately 30% of adults and 20% of youth in the Mid South are obese, leading to high healthcare costs, lost wages, or even premature death. Approximately 1 million adults suffer from poor mental health, stressors which decrease learning or the ability to work. If not addressed, they can develop into serious mental disorders.

_Our Opportunity_

Foundation for the Mid South seeks to improve health for individuals and communities. Health is not a standalone issue; it is an interrelated part of improving our region, enabling people to learn effectively and improve their economic situations.

_Our Strategy_

We aim to improve individual and community health outcomes through:

* Healthy Behaviors to Reduce Obesity
* Increasing access to and use of physical activity and access to fresh, healthy foods.
* Mental Health Awareness and Access
* Helping individuals identify everyday stressors and connecting them to resources and services to address their mental health needs.
* Access to Healthcare Resources
* Ensuring individuals have access to healthcare services and knowledge to make informed decisions.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Nonprofit organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.