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or questions to:
Tom Pittman
Foundation President
at tompittman@cfnm.org

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What is a Community Foundation?

A Community Foundation is a creative, cost-effective and tax-efficient way for people to invest in the charitable causes they care about the most.

We make the important connection between individuals’ personal memories, passions, and dreams and the fulfillment of their charitable goals. We help create permanent charitable funds of everlasting impact. These funds ensure that people of vision will have an enduring influence on the life of their community and the charitable causes they hold dear; an influence that is truly for good, for ever.

Whether your fund focuses totally on our local community or includes charitable interests throughout the United States, we can build a plan that meets your needs.

We serve as a vehicle for donors, volunteers and community members to identify important issues, share ideas and build the financial resources to make positive long-term change.

The Community Foundation is an independent non-profit 501.c.3 organization governed by a board of 12 volunteer civic leaders. Gifts to the Community Foundation provide the maximum Mississippi and federal charitable deductions allowed by law.

Essentially, a community foundation does three things: 1) receives money 2) manages and invests money and 3) gives money. There are over 600 community foundations nationwide, and they are the fastest growing form of philanthropy in the United States.

Receives Money

Anyone can be a donor and donations can consist of almost any asset of value Philanthropy doesn’t require great wealth and it doesn’t have to be complicated. The Foundation is a collection of funds established by individuals, families, businesses, and other non-profits. These funds can be endowed or non-endowed. All we ask is that an endowed fund of at least $5,000 be established before a current giving fund.

Manages and Invests Money

The assets are pooled and invested under the watchful eye of a volunteer board of directors and investment committee made up of local leaders and investment professionals. The names of the current investment managers and fees charged are available from the Community Foundation Office.

Gives Money

A portion of the assets provide grant monies for non-profit projects and programs or endowed income for non-profit organizations. The remainder stays in the funds to grow and provide future grants. Since our founding in 2002, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $1 million in support of charitable activities. The Foundation has grown to over $750,000 in assets and holds 23 funds established by individuals, families, businesses, non-profit organizations and private foundations. We are building permanent community capital in the form of endowments that create a base of stable financial support for the region.

©2008 Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. All Rights Reserved.
Date This Page Was Updated 05/13/2008