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CREATE Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$19.3M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $19,280,326 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (Community Affiliates manage independent grant cycles)
  • Grant Range: $250 - $10,000+ (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: 17-county region of Northeast Mississippi

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS 38802
Phone: (662) 844-8989
Website: https://createfoundation.com
Email: Contact form available on website

Overview

Founded in 1972 by the late Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal publisher George McLean and his wife Anna, CREATE Foundation is Mississippi's oldest community foundation. With assets exceeding $176 million across 317 permanent endowment funds and 259 donor-advised funds as of September 2024, the foundation has experienced remarkable growth from $13.9 million in assets in 1996 under President Mike Clayborne's leadership. CREATE's mission is to encourage philanthropy and provide leadership to impact regional issues, focusing on education, community development, and quality services for individuals, families, and children across 17 counties in Northeast Mississippi. The foundation operates through a unique model of Community Affiliates, donor-advised funds, and targeted grantmaking programs including the transformative $50 million Toyota Wellspring Education Fund endowment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Affiliates Program

  • $100,000 Challenge Grant: Provided to new Community Affiliates who raise $200,000 in unrestricted endowed funds
  • 15 Community Affiliates currently operate across the region, each managing independent grant cycles
  • Local boards of community leaders determine grants important for county-level community improvement

LEAD (Lee County Empowering, Advancing and Developing) Grants

  • $10,000 (first place), $5,000 (second place), $2,500 (third place), $2,500 (crowd favorite)
  • $250 awarded to every applicant
  • Nearly $300,000 dispersed to nearly 100 nonprofits since 2017 through the Marchbanks Fund

Toyota Wellspring Education Fund

  • Funded by $50 million endowment from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi
  • Over $9 million distributed since 2009 to enhance K-12 education
  • Serves school districts in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union counties
  • Recent examples: $89,500 in early childhood grants (2021)
  • Supports STEAM education, career coaching, professional development, summer learning programs

CREATE Unrestricted Endowment Grants

  • Board reviews proposals and evaluates community needs
  • Amounts vary based on available funds and project scope

Priority Areas

  • Education: K-12 enhancement, STEAM programs, early childhood education, career pathways
  • Youth Development: Youth philanthropy education through Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation
  • Health and Social Services: Quality services for individuals, families, and children
  • Regional Community Development: Building permanent local assets to address community needs
  • Cultural Enrichment: Supporting arts and cultural organizations
  • Leadership Development: Empowering local leadership to tackle community challenges

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not documented, but grants must:

  • Serve the 17-county Northeast Mississippi region (Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Clay, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union)
  • Recipients must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors represents all 17 counties served by CREATE Foundation and includes:

  • William Bronson (President & CEO, Journal, Inc., Tupelo)
  • Matt Bogue (President, Dutch Oil Company, Columbus)
  • Jason Brooks (CPA, Watkins, Ward & Stafford, Houston)
  • Mary Childs (President, The Peoples Bank, Ripley)
  • Scott Cochran (Chief Core Banking Officer, Executive VP, Renasant Bank, Tupelo)
  • Bo Collins (CEO, BNA Bank, New Albany)
  • Phil Faulkner (Former Owner, NauticStar Boats, Amory)
  • Lisa Hawkins (Owner, Room to Room Furniture, Tupelo)
  • Tiffannie Hedin (Manager, Corporate Communications, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Blue Springs)
  • Julie Henry (Executive VP, First Choice Bank, Pontotoc)
  • Clay Homan (Vice President, Homan Forest Products, Fulton)
  • Larry Kirk (Retired CEO, Hancock Fabrics, Inc., Oxford)
  • Kirk Lewis (President, Blue Springs Metals, Tupelo)
  • Randy Long (President, Long Wholesale Distributors, Inc., Corinth)
  • Robin McCormick (CPA, Watkins, Ward, and Stafford, PLLC, West Point)
  • Luke Montgomery (President, Montgomery Enterprises, Fulton)
  • Millette Nabors (Co-Owner, Nabors Home Center, Houston)
  • Jack Reed, Jr. (President, R.W. Reed Co., Tupelo)
  • David Rumbarger (President & CEO, Community Development Foundation, Tupelo)
  • Dr. David Shaw (Provost & Executive VP, Mississippi State University, Starkville)
  • Orma Smith (CEO, CanopyNation, Corinth)
  • Shane Spees (President & CEO, North MS Health Services, Tupelo)

Key Staff

  • Mike Clayborne, President: Leading CREATE since 1996; "We help people with charitable giving and also focus on community development."
  • Juanita Floyd, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration: Over 40 years of service
  • Suzy Bowman, Director of Regional Impact: Leads the Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi
  • Kristy R. Luse, Vice President of Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
  • Stewart Brevard McMillan, Project Manager
  • Dana Peters, Administrative Assistant and Project Coordinator
  • Allie Randle Purnell, Director of Marketing and Events
  • Katie Stuart, CPA, Vice President of Finance
  • P.K. Thomas, Vice President of Development
  • Lewis Whitfield, Senior Consultant

Leadership Philosophy

Mike Clayborne on local partnerships: "One thing we do understand about our region is that, fundamentally, people care most about where they live and they know best what they need. That is one of the most important partnerships we have with local communities, supporting them and addressing local needs."

On supporting new initiatives: "We think it's something important to do to help people who have ideas that will benefit their community and region to help them get started."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

CREATE Foundation does not have a centralized public application process for unsolicited grant requests. Grant distribution occurs primarily through three mechanisms:

1. Community Affiliates (Most accessible pathway for local nonprofits)

  • Each of the 15 Community Affiliates manages its own independent grant cycle
  • Application deadlines, processes, and requirements vary by affiliate
  • Contact the specific Community Affiliate serving your county for application details
  • Example: PACE has an annual grant cycle March 15 - June 15

2. Donor-Advised Funds

  • Grants are directed by individual donors who establish funds with CREATE
  • CREATE manages administration, but donors recommend grant recipients
  • Not accessible for unsolicited applications

3. CREATE Board Discretionary Grants

  • The Board of Directors reviews proposals from the Unrestricted Endowment
  • No formal application process documented
  • Contact CREATE Foundation directly to inquire about current opportunities

Toyota Wellspring Education Fund

  • Serves only school districts in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union counties
  • Managed through the Toyota Wellspring Advisory Committee
  • Not open to general nonprofit applicants

Getting on Their Radar

Contact CREATE Foundation Directly

  • Phone: (662) 844-8989
  • Sign up for monthly newsletter to stay informed about regional needs and opportunities
  • Review annual reports on their website to understand current priorities

Engage with Your Local Community Affiliate

  • CREATE has established affiliates in 15 of the 17 counties served
  • Local boards consist of community leaders who understand county-specific needs
  • Building relationships with affiliate board members can provide insight into funding priorities

Partner with Other Nonprofits

  • CREATE has supported endowment-building challenge grants for nonprofits (21 organizations to date)
  • Demonstrate capacity for community impact and financial sustainability
  • Consider how your organization addresses regional issues CREATE prioritizes

Decision Timeline

Timeline varies significantly by program:

  • Community Affiliates: Each manages independent cycles; contact specific affiliate for timelines
  • Board Discretionary Grants: No public timeline available; contact CREATE for guidance
  • LEAD Grants: Application to award ceremony approximately 2 weeks (e.g., Sept. 23 deadline, Oct. 7 ceremony)

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. However:

  • LEAD program: 25 nonprofits applied for 4 awards plus $250 for all applicants
  • CREATE Foundation awarded 6 grants in both 2023 and 2024 from unrestricted funds (per IRS filings)
  • High competition expected for discretionary grants due to limited public application process

Reapplication Policy

No documented reapplication restrictions. Community Affiliates manage their own policies.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the CREATE Model

CREATE operates as a community foundation facilitating philanthropy rather than a traditional grantmaker with open RFPs. Success requires understanding this distinction. As Mike Clayborne notes, CREATE helps "individuals, companies and organizations with their charitable giving to improve the quality of life in those communities they serve."

Geographic Alignment is Critical

All grants must serve the 17-county Northeast Mississippi region. Organizations demonstrating deep roots and measurable impact in specific counties have advantages, particularly when working with Community Affiliates.

Focus on Permanent Solutions

CREATE emphasizes building "permanent local assets to address community needs." Projects that create lasting impact, build capacity, or establish sustainable programs align with this philosophy. The Community Affiliates program itself exemplifies this approach—requiring $200,000 raised locally to unlock $100,000 from CREATE, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Community Leadership Matters

CREATE values empowering "local leadership to tackle community challenges." Applications supported by or partnering with recognized community leaders, business owners, or established organizations demonstrate the collaborative approach CREATE seeks. Board composition reflects diverse business and civic leadership across all 17 counties.

Education Initiatives Have Strong Support

With the $50 million Toyota Wellspring endowment dedicated to education, K-12 initiatives in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union counties receive substantial attention. Programs connecting "classrooms-to-careers," enhancing STEAM education, or supporting early childhood development align with documented funding patterns.

Build Relationships First

Since CREATE doesn't accept most unsolicited applications, relationship-building is essential. Mike Clayborne emphasizes supporting "people who have ideas that will benefit their community and region." Attend regional events, engage with Community Affiliates, and subscribe to CREATE's newsletter to understand evolving priorities.

Demonstrate 501(c)(3) Status and Regional Service

All grant recipients must have tax-exempt status and serve Northeast Mississippi. Organizations should clearly articulate how programs address regional needs identified by CREATE or local Community Affiliates.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • CREATE primarily facilitates donor philanthropy rather than making competitive grants: Most funding flows through donor-advised funds or Community Affiliates, not direct foundation grants. Focus outreach on Community Affiliates in your service county.

  • Community Affiliates are the primary access point: With 15 affiliates managing independent grant cycles, research which affiliate serves your area and build relationships with local board members who understand county-specific needs.

  • Long-term sustainability and endowment-building attract support: CREATE has awarded 21 endowment challenge grants to nonprofits. Organizations demonstrating capacity for financial sustainability and permanent community impact align with CREATE's model.

  • Education projects in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union counties have dedicated funding: The $50 million Toyota Wellspring endowment provides substantial resources for K-12 education initiatives in these three counties, particularly programs linking education to careers.

  • Geographic focus is non-negotiable: CREATE serves 17 specific counties in Northeast Mississippi. Organizations outside this region or unable to demonstrate direct regional benefit will not receive funding.

  • Relationship-building is essential in the absence of open applications: Subscribe to CREATE's newsletter, attend regional events, connect with Community Affiliate boards, and contact CREATE staff directly to explore alignment between your mission and their priorities.

  • Local knowledge and partnerships strengthen proposals: CREATE's leadership emphasizes that "people care most about where they live and they know best what they need." Demonstrate deep understanding of specific county needs and partnerships with local stakeholders.

References

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