Community Foundation for Mississippi

06/20/2026

Community foundations possess a unique capacity to direct disaster relief efforts toward local organizations serving individuals in distress. We join philanthropic Mississippians seeking to support those impacted by flooding in South Mississippi counties. Donating through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation ensures that local contributions benefit local residents.

Our communities are facing significant flooding across several counties in South Mississippi.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s MS Disaster Relief Fund has been activated to support local response and recovery efforts.

Donations will help address emerging needs as communities begin the recovery process.

Donate here: https://www.mygccf.com/y4Zy

Thank you.

06/17/2026

Please join us in congratulating Akirah Lashon Watkins and Erion Wilson, the 2026 recipients of the Bettye Smith Brown Memorial Scholarship!

Awarded through the Community Foundation for Mississippi, this scholarship honors the legacy of a beloved Vicksburg educator by supporting students whose lives reflect academic excellence, leadership, and promise.

Akirah Lashon Watkins, a graduate of Warren Central High School, will attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where she plans to major in Graphic Design. A High Honor Graduate, Akirah was active in Madrigals Total Sound, the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, and Art Club. She was recognized as CTE Student of the Year in Simulation and Design and received the Master Tech Scholar Award.

Erion Wilson, a senior from Vicksburg, will attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall. Throughout high school, he distinguished himself through academic excellence, leadership, and service, serving in roles including Student-Body Vice President, National Honor Society President, and Student Council Vice President. He has also dedicated significant time to tutoring, advocacy, and community service, while building toward a future in healthcare and service to others.

The fund is proud to celebrate these students and all they have accomplished, and looks forward to all that lies ahead for them!

06/16/2026

Congratulations to Isabella Ainsworth, the 2026 recipient of the Harrison Clark Memorial Scholarship Award!

A graduating senior from Madison Central High School, Isabella is a 4.0 honor student whose high school years were marked by academic excellence, leadership and talent. She is a member of the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society and has received numerous honors, including the Citizenship Award, Jaguar Spirit Award, Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award, and Highest Average in English Composition.

A talented musician and leader, Isabella served as Clarinet Section Leader for two years and will continue her musical journey at Mississippi State University in the Wind Ensemble and Maroon Band. She is also an All-Star Bowler on the Madison Central Bowling Team.

Congratulations to Isabella on this special recognition.

06/15/2026

Congratulations to Robert “Rob” Bradley, our next 2026 recipient of the Rick Ross Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School Honorary Scholarship Award!

A graduating senior at Madison Central High School, Rob distinguished himself as a 4.0 honor student and four-year varsity soccer starter. A team captain and two-time state champion, he also earned MVP honors in the 2025 All-Star Soccer Game and was selected for the Mississippi Coaches’ Association All-Star Soccer North Team. Rob plans to study construction engineering at Jones Community College.

Congratulations to Rob on this special recognition!

06/10/2026

Good time spent with fellow community foundation leaders from across Mississippi!

CFM President and CEO Jane Alexander recently joined the latest quarterly gathering, hosted by the Community Foundation of East Mississippi in Meridian. The visit included a tour of The MAX - The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, dinner at Weidmann’s with Lloyd Gray (Phil Hardin Foundation), and a meeting at Citizens Bank.

The group also welcomed Cynthia Hines, the new executive director of the Community Foundation of Washington County. It’s always nice to have time to connect, share ideas and learn from others doing this work across the state!

(Left to right: Keith Fulcher, Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi; Christen H. Duhé, Ed.D., Gulf Coast Community Foundation; Mike Dixon, Pinebelt Foundation; Christin Waters, Community Foundation of East Mississippi; Jane Alexander, Community Foundation for Mississippi; Cynthia Hines, Community Foundation of Washington County; Mike Clayborne, CREATE Foundation)

06/05/2026

Congratulations to Ayden James De’Mar Green, a 2026 recipient of the Harrison Clark Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,000!

A graduating senior from Madison Central High School, Ayden will attend Mississippi State University on an academic scholarship and major in Biological Sciences/Pre-Med. From serving as saxophone section leader and earning the National School Marching Award to leadership in student organizations and service through Mt. Center M.B. Church, Ayden’s accomplishments reflect dedication across many areas of his life.

Congratulations, Ayden, on this well-earned recognition!

06/02/2026

We love seeing our Community Impact Grants come to life! Zoo Area Progressive Partnership ZAPP received a grant for their placemaking efforts at The Jackson Zoo. This project focused on bringing together the community surrounding the Jackson Zoo in an engaging effort to work with families, children, local schools and neighborhood partners to transform the zoo’s entrance into a vibrant, community-designed mural. Local artists, students, and children co-created murals, mosaics, interactive art, and playful seating inspired by Mississippi’s wildlife and culture.

06/01/2026

So happy we could help facilitate this project!

05/28/2026

We’re proud to recognize Morgan Brown as the 2026 recipient of the Jerrelyn Redmond Jackson Veasley Lifetime Athletic and Scholastic Award!

Created as a fund at CFM in memory of Jerrelyn Redmond Jackson Veasley — a beloved educator, coach and community leader in Kosciusko — this award honors the kind of excellence she championed in both athletics and academics.

Morgan is an honor graduate whose high school years were marked by excellence, leadership and involvement. At Kosciusko High School, she was a member of the Lady Whippets Basketball Team and the Kosciusko Cheer Squad. She plans to attend Holmes Community College, major in criminal justice and perform with the Holmes Community College Dazzler Dance Team on scholarship before continuing her studies at the University of Mississippi.

Congratulations, Morgan, on this well-earned recognition.

05/27/2026

Congratulations to The Redeemer's School on their recent groundbreaking on the future home of The Redeemer’s School at the former Chastain Middle School campus in the Broadmoor neighborhood! Some of our team had a chance to tour the formerly vacant 22-acre school campus and see how it is being transformed into a new place for learning, art, recreation, and community life.

CFM is proud to be a partner with The Redeemer's School through several funds at the foundation to support their work.