Community Foundation for Mississippi

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5-6 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (Community Impact Grants)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $15,000 (typical); up to $5,000 (Community Impact Grants)
• Geographic Focus: 22 counties in central and southwest Mississippi

Contact Details

Website: https://formississippi.org
Phone: 601-974-6044
Email: info@formississippi.org
Grant Inquiries: melody@formississippi.org (Melody Moody Thortis, Director of Strategic Impact and Programs)
Address: 119 South President Street, 1st Floor, Jackson, MS 39201
Online Grant Portal: https://formississippi.org/grants/

Overview

Founded in 1994 as the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, the organization rebranded in 2017 as the Community Foundation for Mississippi to reflect its expanded 22-county service area. With $89.2 million in assets, CFM has awarded over $80 million in grants and scholarships since inception, distributing $5-6 million annually in competitive grants.

The foundation's mission is to "connect donors, communities and nonprofit organizations to make meaningful and lasting change - for Mississippi, for good, forever." CFM serves as a permanent endowment resource and philanthropic hub, supporting human services, education, health, arts and culture, and religion throughout its region. In 2024, CFM received reaccreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® and holds Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Project Grants: Up to $5,000 (Annual application: September 1-30; projects run November-April)

• CFM's largest competitive grant program supporting innovative community solutions
• 14 recipients in 2025, 18 in 2024; over 50 organizations funded since launch

Rural Leveraging Matching Grants: Up to 50% of required match (Rolling basis)

• For organizations in counties under 50,000 population
• Helps secure larger state/federal grants

Nonprofit Capacity Building Mini-Grants: Varies (Rolling basis)

• Professional development and organizational improvement resources

John F. and Lucy Shackelford Fund: Varies (Year-round)

• Downtown Jackson improvement projects
• Recent $1 million grant for Margaret Ann Crigler Park

Priority Areas

Children and Families

• Youth development, educational enrichment, family support services, health and wellness

Community Partnerships

• Food security, collaborative programming, cross-sector partnerships

Placemaking

• Community space transformation, public gathering spaces, downtown revitalization, community gardens

What They Don't Fund

Eligibility limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and government entities serving CFM's 22-county area. Contact melody@formississippi.org for specific exclusions.

Governance and Leadership

Jane Alexander, President & CEO

• "When people trust CFM with a charitable bequest... they do it knowing that we have met rigorous standards for donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration."

Melody Moody Thortis, Director of Strategic Impact and Programs

• Primary grant contact
• "A lot of these communities feel like they're stuck if they don't have a large multimillion-dollar grant. So we wanted to shrink that and say, 'What can you do? What is feasible?'"

Will Crossley - Board Chairman
7 total staff members supporting operations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Community Impact Grants: Online portal at formississippi.org/grants/ (September 1-30 annually)

• Technical assistance via Zoom office hours during application period

Other Programs: Contact melody@formississippi.org or apply through online portal year-round

Decision Timeline

Community Impact Grants: 6-8 weeks from deadline close (announcement in November) Other programs: Rolling review basis

Success Rates

Specific percentages not public. Recent rounds: 14-20 recipients annually for Community Impact Grants

Reapplication Policy

No stated restrictions; previous recipients appear eligible for future funding

Application Success Factors

Feasible, Community-Driven Solutions: Focus on realistic scope within budget and timeline rather than large-scale ambitions

Innovation and Creativity: CFM values creative approaches - recent examples include vacant lot farmers markets, wellness through art, high school chess clubs

Clear Focus Area Alignment: Explicitly connect to Children and Families, Community Partnerships, or Placemaking

Community Support: While financial match not required, demonstrate broad buy-in through partnerships, volunteers, letters of support

Long-Term Vision: Articulate contribution to sustainable change beyond grant period

Recent Funded Examples:

• Youth Health Symposium (United Way)
• Checkmate Champions II - chess clubs at six Jackson high schools
• Jackson Community Concrete Farmers Market Project 2.0
• The Endzone: Support for men impacted by homicide

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think feasible, not massive - Focus on what's achievable with $5,000 in 6 months • Demonstrate community connection - Show project responds to needs identified by community members • Align precisely with focus areas - Study recent recipients to understand CFM's interpretation • Emphasize innovation - Highlight unique or creative approaches to persistent challenges • Build relationships first - Contact Melody Thortis with questions; attend Zoom office hours • Geography matters - Explicitly state which of CFM's 22 counties you serve • Timeline is tight - Community Impact projects must complete November-April; plan accordingly

References

1. Community Foundation for Mississippi Official Website: https://formississippi.org/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
2. CFM Grants Portal: https://formississippi.org/grants/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
3. "Turning Local Ideas into Lasting Impact: CFM Announces 2025 Community Impact Project Grants": https://formississippi.org/2025-community-impact-project-grants/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
4. "CFM Announces 2024 Community Impact Grant Recipients": https://formississippi.org/2024-community-impact-grant-recipients/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
5. "National Standards Reaccreditation Affirms CFM's Commitment to Excellence": https://formississippi.org/national-standards-reaccreditation-affirms-cfms-commitment-to-excellence/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
6. "Rural Dreams, Urban Dollars — A Solution From Mississippi" - The Chronicle of Philanthropy: https://www.philanthropy.com/news/rural-dreams-urban-dollars-a-solution-from-mississippi/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
7. CFM Team Page: https://formississippi.org/team/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)
8. CFM Service Area: https://formississippi.org/about/our-service-area/ (Accessed February 4, 2026)