The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,505,378 (2024)
• Total Distributed Since Founding: $44,000,000+
• Grant Range: $5,200 - $1,328,577
• Number of Grants (2024): 101 awards
• Total Assets: $36,368,281
• Geographic Focus: Pine Belt region of South Mississippi (primarily Forrest, Lamar, Jones, Marion, Perry, Jefferson Davis, Covington, Jasper, and Wayne Counties)
• Number of Funds: 200+

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.pinebeltfoundation.org
• Phone: (601) 583-6180
• Address: 1501 Adeline Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
• EIN: 72-1390352
• Executive Director: Michael Dixon

Overview

The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation (operating as The Pinebelt Foundation) was founded in 1997 when a group of young leaders created the community foundation as part of their Area Development Partnership (ADP) leadership project. Since its inception, the foundation has grown exponentially from modest beginnings to managing over 200 funds with assets exceeding $36 million. The foundation's mission is to support charitable activities that benefit residents of the Pine Belt area of South Mississippi and build better communities through philanthropy.

Under Executive Director Michael Dixon's leadership since January 2018, the foundation has experienced remarkable growth—expanding its work and assets nearly six-fold over the past six years. In 2024, the foundation achieved a record-setting year, distributing more than $6.6 million to churches, schools, and nonprofits across the region. The foundation holds tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization and is classified as a community foundation focused on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Pinebelt Foundation operates through multiple funding mechanisms:

Open Competitive Grants: Opportunities for any regional charity to apply for funding through a competitive granting process. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Field of Interest Funds: These support organizations addressing specific issues, with four primary named areas:

• Literacy Services for Adults and Children
• Homelessness and Families in Crisis
• Animal Welfare
• Public Libraries

Designated Funds: Support specific charitable organizations or causes as determined by donors.

Scholarship Funds: Various scholarship programs for students throughout the Pine Belt area, including specific funds for law enforcement families and students from Forrest, Lamar, and Marion Counties.

Priority Areas

The foundation supports a broad range of charitable activities including:

• Education: Youth services, educational institutions, and literacy programs
• Food Security: Programs addressing hunger in Forrest and Lamar Counties
• Healthcare: Cancer patient support (particularly breast cancer), programs for those with hardships related to heart transplants, gas cards for cancer patients needing travel assistance
• Vulnerable Populations: Programs enriching quality of life for seniors and individuals diagnosed as intellectually challenged, children's health organizations
• Emergency Services: Hardship funds for families of law enforcement officers injured or killed in the line of duty
• Disaster Relief: Long-term disaster relief, particularly in Jefferson Davis County
• Community Infrastructure: Cemetery maintenance and restoration, pastoral ministry support
• Recreation: Major investments like the $30-35 million Recreation and Sports Event Center at Tatum Park (funded by anonymous donors through the foundation)

Geographic Service Area

The foundation primarily serves nine counties in the Pine Belt region of South Mississippi:

• Covington
• Forrest
• Jasper
• Jefferson Davis
• Jones
• Lamar
• Marion
• Perry
• Wayne

Some programs extend to additional counties including Smith, Lawrence, Pike, and Walthall.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed in available materials. Organizations should contact the foundation directly for detailed guidelines on funding restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Michael Dixon (appointed January 2018)

• Dixon previously served as executive director of Extra Table, a nonprofit in Hattiesburg
• Under his leadership, the foundation has grown nearly six-fold in assets and programming
• In 2026, Dixon commented: "Pinebelt Foundation Executive Director Michael Dixon said the organization has seen steady growth over the past half-dozen years."

Director of Operations: Caroline Nurkin

Board of Directors: The foundation is governed by a board of directors. Andy Mercier is noted as one of the original founders, serving as president and on the board. Specific current board composition is available through the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings posted on their website.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation offers multiple application pathways:

Competitive Grant Applications: The foundation has an online application system with a user guide available on their website. Organizations can view currently open grant opportunities and submit applications through the online portal.

Application Review: Individual applications are filled out and reviewed by designated committees who approve qualified applicants.

Application Support: Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation directly for application assistance and to discuss potential fit before applying.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly detailed. The foundation operates with 101 grants awarded in 2024, 84 in 2023, and 92 in 2022, indicating consistent year-round grantmaking activity.

Success Rates

With 101 awards made in 2024 from total contributed grants of $6,505,378, the foundation demonstrates active grantmaking. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not detailed in publicly available materials. Organizations should inquire directly when applying or after receiving a decision.

Application Success Factors

Regional Focus Is Critical: The foundation exists to serve the Pine Belt region of South Mississippi. Organizations must demonstrate how they benefit residents in the foundation's nine-county primary service area.

Alignment with Field of Interest Funds: Review the foundation's 200+ existing funds to identify potential alignment. If your work matches a specific field of interest fund (literacy, homelessness, animal welfare, public libraries, etc.), highlight this connection.

Community Impact Documentation: As a community foundation, demonstrating measurable impact on Pine Belt residents appears central to the foundation's mission. Executive Director Michael Dixon has emphasized the foundation's growth in serving community needs.

Partnership Potential: The foundation works through partnerships, as evidenced by their collaboration with Southern Pine Electric Power Association (named corporate partner of the year in 2025) and their Members Helping Members program. Organizations demonstrating potential for collaborative impact may be viewed favorably.

Specific Population Focus: Programs serving vulnerable populations—including seniors, individuals with intellectual disabilities, cancer patients, and those in crisis—align with established funding priorities.

Example of Funded Project: The Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi received an Ann Morris grant in 2024 to provide "community engagement, socialization, personal development, and educational opportunities and activities" for members of their STEP OUT program. This illustrates the foundation's support for programs offering holistic development opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Record Growth: 2024 was the foundation's most successful year with $6.6 million distributed—understand this signals growing capacity and potentially increased opportunity
• Geographic Eligibility: Confirm your organization serves one or more of the nine primary counties (Covington, Forrest, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Marion, Perry, Wayne)
• Multiple Entry Points: With 200+ funds, research which specific fund(s) align with your mission rather than applying generically
• Community Foundation Model: The foundation facilitates donor intent—frame your proposal around how you help donors achieve community impact
• Long-Term Vision: The foundation was established in 1997 and has distributed $44 million—they value sustained community impact over short-term projects
• Contact Before Applying: With a user guide available and application support offered, take advantage of pre-application guidance to strengthen your proposal
• Annual Recognition: The foundation hosts an annual "Faces of the Foundation" luncheon recognizing outstanding partners and philanthropists—being visible in the Pine Belt nonprofit community may create relationship-building opportunities

References

1. The Pinebelt Foundation Official Website - https://www.pinebeltfoundation.org (Accessed February 26, 2026)
2. The Pinebelt Foundation About Page - https://www.pinebeltfoundation.org/about (Accessed February 26, 2026)
3. The Pinebelt Foundation Contact Page - https://www.pinebeltfoundation.org/contact (Accessed February 26, 2026)
4. The Pinebelt Foundation Field of Interest Fund - https://www.pinebeltfoundation.org/field-of-interest-fund (Accessed February 26, 2026)
5. GuideStar Profile for The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation (EIN: 72-1390352) - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/72-1390352 (Accessed February 26, 2026)
6. Charity Navigator Rating for The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/721390352 (Accessed February 26, 2026)
7. Candid Foundation Directory Profile - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?collection=grantmakers&activity=result&key=GREA478 (Accessed February 26, 2026)
8. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Greater Pinebelt Community Foundation - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721390352 (Accessed February 26, 2026)
9. Instrumentl 990 Report - Pinebelt Foundation - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/greater-pinebelt-community-foundation-36cca146-379b-41b7-b2ab-fb490f0352d5 (Accessed February 26, 2026)
10. WDAM News: "Pinebelt Foundation presents awards at annual 'Faces of the Foundation' luncheon" - https://www.wdam.com/2025/02/13/pinebelt-foundation-presents-awards-annual-faces-foundation-luncheon/ (February 13, 2025)
11. WDAM News: "Pinebelt Foundation honors supporters, nonprofits during annual 'Faces of the Foundation' luncheon" - https://www.wdam.com/2026/02/12/pinebelt-foundation-honors-supporters-nonprofits-during-annual-faces-foundation-luncheon/ (February 12, 2026)
12. HubCitySPOKES: "Michael Dixon named new executive director" - https://www.hubcityspokes.com/news-hattiesburg/michael-dixon-named-new-executive-director (Accessed February 26, 2026)
13. HubCitySPOKES: "Pinebelt Foundation invests $30 million in Recreation and Sports Event Center at Tatum Park" - https://www.hubcityspokes.com/pinebelt-foundation-invests-30-million-recreation-and-sports-event-center-tatum-park (Accessed February 26, 2026)
14. University of Southern Mississippi News: "Institute for Disability Studies Awarded Ann Morris Grant through Pinebelt Foundation" - https://www.usm.edu/news/2024/release/ann-morris-grant.php (2024)
15. WDAM News: "$35M sports complex coming to Tatum Park in Hattiesburg" - https://www.wdam.com/2026/02/10/35m-sports-complex-coming-tatum-park-hattiesburg/ (February 10, 2026)