The Foundation for the Mid South (FMS) is a left-of-center regional grantmaking organization operating across Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Founded in 1989, the organization provides funding and resources to various community initiatives while promoting progressive approaches to economic development, education, and racial equity in the Mississippi Delta region. 1 The foundation has historically maintained connections with larger national foundations that fund left-of-center causes and has embraced social justice frameworks in its programming. 2
The Foundation for the Mid South was established in 1989 through a coalition of regional leaders to create a dedicated funding vehicle for left-of-center grantmaking in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The organization was designed to transcend state boundaries in addressing persistent socioeconomic challenges in the economically depressed Mississippi Delta region. As compared to other regional community foundations, FMS was created to provide a sophisticated philanthropic infrastructure capable of attracting and disbursing significant funding claiming to address regional poverty, education inequities, and economic development challenges. 3
The Foundation maintained its headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi, where it centralized its operations while serving the region. This strategic positioning allowed the organization to establish connections across state lines while maintaining influence in an area historically underserved by mainstream philanthropy but increasingly targeted by national funders with left-wing agendas such as the Alluvial Collective, the Neshoba Youth Coalition, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 4
Funding and Financials
As of 2022, the Foundation for the Mid South reported approximately $16 million in total assets, with annual revenues generally ranging between $1.5 to 2 million. As a community foundation, FMS holds various donor-advised funds and maintains endowments specifically designed to address regional issues according to donor priorities. 5
FMS has secured significant funding from larger left-of-center philanthropic organizations. In January 2023, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a major funder of left-wing causes, awarded FMS $1.5 million to continue the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) efforts, a program that frames societal inequities through the lens of historical racism. 6
In late 2021, FMS became a partner recipient of a $15-million college-readiness grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education through Delta State University. 7
Racial Justice Initiatives
In recent years, the Foundation for the Mid South has increasingly focused on racial justice programming through its involvement with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation‘s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) initiative. This program represents a significant investment in advancing concepts of structural racism and systemic inequity across the region. 8
build racially just and equitable communities in Mississippi by advancing the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation framework using restorative & racial healing practices to promote increased collaboration among community partners to expand opportunity and create an inclusive economy
expand and strengthen the workforce development ecosystem through work readiness, career pathway education and job training, financial literacy, access to work supports, improved transportation, and leveraging philanthropic dollars towards employment equity
Develop community visioning processes, healing methodologies, evaluation and a strategic plan to prepare for fully implementing the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation framework in Mississippi
All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:
Total Grant Value:$24,367,391
Number of Grants:611
Number of Recipients:449
Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years:
Amount
Year
Funder
Subject
$450,000
2020
Better Schools Better Jobs
TO ENSURE QUALITY FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR EVERY MISSISSIPPI CHILD AND INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION'S POSITIVE EFFECT IN THE COMMUNITIES BY STRATEGICALLY INCREASING THE COMMUNITIES' ENGAGEMENT
$200,000
2024
Mississippi Engaged
TO ADDRESS, EDUCATE, AND COORDINATE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES TO STRENGTHEN AND CONNECT PROGRESSIVE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVISTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING VOTER PARTICIPATION STATEWIDE.
$155,000
2023
Mississippi Coalition on Black Civic Participation
TO SERVE AS AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION PARTNER AND WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO ADVANCE AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION ACROSS MISSISSIPPI.
$100,000
2023
One Voice
TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO INCREASE VOTER ENGAGEMENT AROUND ISSUES OF ECONOMIC AND RACIAL JUSTICE.
TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO INCREASE VOTER ENGAGEMENT AROUND ISSUES OF ECONOMIC AND RACIAL JUSTICE.
$88,000
2021
Boss Lady Economic Planning & Development Workforce
TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN SEVERAL RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA WITH OBTAINING WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES WITH TRANSPORTATION WHO LIVE IN SUNFLOWER COUNTY AN DACROSS THE DELTA REGION.
$69,600
2022
Boss Lady Economic Planning & Development Workforce
TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN SEVERAL RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA WITH OBTAINING WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES WITH TRANSPORTATION WHO LIVE IN SUNFLOWER COUNTY AND ACROSS THE DELTA REGION.
$50,000
2021
Mississippi Urban League, Inc.
TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN IDA PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN THE SIPPS MOTHERS' FORUM.
$31,500
2020
The Society of St. Andrew
TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DELTA WORKFORCE FUNDING COLLABORATIVE
$30,000
2022
Mississippi Action for Community Education Inc
TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO DEMONSTRATE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS THAT A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IS SYNONYMOUS WITH A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY THROUGH KEY ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION AT THE ANNUAL MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUES & HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND DELTA DIALOGUE.
$25,000
2024
Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health
TO SERVE AS AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION PARTNER AND WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO ADVANCE AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION ACROSS MISSISSIPPI. SPECIFICALLY, TO: (1) IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS FACED BY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SINGLE MOTHERS, (2) IMPROVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SINGLE MOTHER IN MISSISSIPPI, (3) WORK COLLECTIVELY TO STRENGTHEN COALITION PARTNERS' RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATION, THE COMMUNITIES THEY RENDER SERVICES, AND FURTHER ECONOMIC MOBILITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TODAY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. AND (4) WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH LEAD ORGANIZER, TO DEVELOP AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION ACROSS THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
$25,000
2024
One Voice
TO SERVE AS AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION PARTNER AND WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO ADVANCE AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION ACROSS MISSISSIPPI. SPECIFICALLY, TO: (1) IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS FACED BY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SINGLE MOTHERS, (2) IMPROVE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SINGLE MOTHER IN MISSISSIPPI, (3) WORK COLLECTIVELY TO STRENGTHEN COALITION PARTNERS' RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATION, THE COMMUNITIES THEY RENDER SERVICES, AND FURTHER ECONOMIC MOBILITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TODAY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. AND (4) WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH LEAD ORGANIZER, TO DEVELOP AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION ACROSS THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) IS A COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BASED PROCESS TO PLAN FOR AND BRING ABOUT TRANSFORMATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE, AND TO ADDRESS THE HISTORIC AND COMTEMPORARY EFFECTS OF RACISM. TO EMBED TRHT FRAMEWORK INTO THE ETHOS, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT OF ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING TO SIX HBCU PARTNERSHIPS IN MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA
$25,000
2021
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute
TO SUPPORT FIVE VIRTUAL ZOOM SESSIONS WITH YOUTH TO ADDRESS TRAUMA AND ADDRESS THE PANDEMIC AND RACIAL INJUSTICE THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICE.
$20,000
2023
Higher Purpose Co
TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO INCREASE VOTER ENGAGEMENT AROUND ISSUES OF ECONOMIC AND RACIAL JUSTICE.
$20,000
2021
CompuRecycling Center Inc
TO SUPPORT SUMMER MEDICAL INSTITUTES WHICH FOCUS ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS.
$20,000
2021
Nova Workforce Institute of Northeast Louisiana in
TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO TRAIN AND FULLY CREDENTIAL AT LEAST TWENTY (20) ADULTS WHOSE PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKFORCE HAS BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY COVID-19.
$20,000
2021
The Reaching Educating for Community Hope (RECH) Foundation
TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO FORMERLY INCARCERATED WOMEN, MEN, AND YOUTH IN THEIR COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION EFFORTS.
$18,000
2024
Tougaloo College
TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) IS A COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BASED PROCESS TO PLAN FOR AND BRING ABOUT TRANSFORMATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE, AND TO ADDRESS THE HISTORIC AND COMTEMPORARY EFFECTS OF RACISM. TO EMBED TRHT FRAMEWORK INTO THE ETHOS, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT OF ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
$18,000
2023
MISSION MISSISSIPPI
TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) IS A COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BASED PROCESS TO PLAN FOR AND BRING ABOUT TRANSFROMATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE, AND TO ADDRESS THE HISTRORIC AND COMTEMPORARY EFFECTS OF RACISM. TO ORGANIZE, FACILITATE, AND CONDUCT LISTENING SESSIONS AND COMMUNITY DIALOGUES, WHEREBY COMMUNITIES ENGAGE IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING, AND TRANSFORMATION.
$18,000
2023
Millsaps College
TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) IS A COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BASED PROCESS TO PLAN FOR AND BRING ABOUT TRANSFORMATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE, AND TO ADDRESS THE HISTORIC AND COMTEMPORARY EFFECTS OF RACISM. TO CREATE A TRHT CAMPUS CENTER.
$18,000
2023
Neshoba Youth Coalition Leadership Program
TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) IS A COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BASED PROCESS TO PLAN FOR AND BRING ABOUT TRANSFORMATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE, AND TO ADDRESS THE HISTORIC AND COMTEMPORARY EFFECTS OF RACISM. TO EMBED TRHT FRAMEWORK INTO THE ETHOS, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT OF ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
TRUTH, RACIAL HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION (TRHT) IS A COMPREHENSIVE, NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY BASED PROCESS TO PLAN FOR AND BRING ABOUT TRANSFORMATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE CHANGE, AND TO ADDRESS THE HISTORIC AND COMTEMPORARY EFFECTS OF RACISM. TO EMBED TRHT FRAMEWORK INTO THE ETHOS, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT OF ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.
$17,500
2023
Springboard To Opportunities
TO SERVE AS AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION PARTNER AND WORK TOGETHER WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO ADVANCE AN ECONOMIC INCLUSION COALITION ACROSS MISSISSIPPI.
