Grant Opportunities
Community Foundation of East Mississippi awards grants through several competitive application processes each year.
Our service area includes the following 5 counties in East Mississippi: Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba and Newton.
Please be sure to read each grant’s eligibility and application dates below.
Our Grant Application Process
How It Works
Community Foundation of East Mississippi awards grants through three competitive application processes each year. (Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3). You are able to apply in each grant cycle.
Eligibility
To receive a grant from the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, all organizations must have the following information readily available. The Foundation may request these documents at any time during the application process and/or after receiving funds.
- Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter OR fiscal sponsorship agreement
- Charitable registration letter from the Mississippi’s Secretary of State’s Public Charities Section, or a current letter stating that your organization is exempt from registration
- Vision, Values, and Mission Statement
- Audited Financial Statements (Form 990)
- Staff Listing
- Board of Directors Roster
Ready To Apply?
Apply
General Grant Application
*The link to the application goes live on Feb. 1st.
Our Grants and Grant Cycles
Grant Cycle 1
February 1st – March 31st
Education • Arts
Excellence in Education
The Excellence in Education Grant is to support worthy educational projects in any of the five counties we serve: Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, or Newton counties.
This grant was created in memory of Mr. Walter L. Smith, a dedicated business associate of Mr. Phil Hardin in the management of Hardin’s Bakeries Corporation. It is said that Mr. Smith showed a deep and abiding interest in the well-being of East Mississippi and its people.
Application Requirements:
The Excellence in Education Grant is available to teachers, schools, school districts, and even community-based organizations with a focus on improving education.
Grant must benefit educational projects in either Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, or Newton Counties.
Margaret Dulaney Arts Grant
Margaret Dulaney was a leader in the Meridian arts community who understood the value of the arts and worked tirelessly to share that passion with others.
Through the Margaret Dulaney Art Endowment, the Community Foundation of East Mississippi honors and celebrates the long-standing contributions Mrs. Dulaney made to our community through the arts.
Proposals will be accepted from nonprofit organizations and schools. Projects awarded are focused on enhancing new or existing art programs and activities in East Mississippi.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit organization or school
- Must serve residents of East MS – Kemper, Neshoba, Newton, Clarke, or Lauderdale County
- Preference given to new and innovative ideas
- Support of existing programs or projects will also be considered
Susan B. Herron/Lively Arts and Education Grant
Susan Herron was one of Meridian’s most active and dedicated cultural leaders during her lifetime. She served on the Board of Commissioners for the Mississippi Arts Commission and as president of the Meridian Arts Council and Meridian Little Theatre Guild. She was also an avid supporter of the Meridian Museum of Art, Meridian Community College Arts & Letters Series, and served as vice president of the Meridian Junior Auxiliary.
This endowment was established at the Community Foundation in honor of her memory. With gifts from many in this community, Susan Herron’s passion and enthusiasm for the arts will continue for years to come.
Requests can be for assisting with the start-up of new Arts and Education Programs, or the special one-time needs of existing programs, or supporting special Arts and Education opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit organization, school, or government entity
- Must serve residents of East MS – Kemper, Neshoba, Newton, Clarke, or Lauderdale County
Grant Cycle 2
June 1st – July 31st
Animal Welfare • Education Mini-Grants • Environment/Historic Preservation
Charles Young Historic Preservation Grant
The Charles L. Young, Sr. Grant for Historic Preservation will be used to advance a sense of place (e.g., history, culture, achievement, etc.) within the Lauderdale County African-American community by supporting building renovations, capital improvements, and special projects. Proposals will be accepted from nonprofit organizations, schools, and governmental entities.
Recognized as one of Mississippi’s and the South’s most outstanding businessmen, Representative Charles L. Young, Sr. received numerous community, state, and national awards for his outstanding service in business and politics. The Lauderdale Co. Human Relations Commission chose to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by establishing this endowment to guarantee that his name, as well as his accomplishments, would be remembered in our community for generations to come.
Gladys Carlisle Bowyer Animal Care Grant
The Gladys Carlisle Bowyer Animal Care Endowment offers grants to organizations that work to protect and care for pets and animals in Lauderdale County.
Eligible organizations include nonprofit organizations and/or governmental programs.
Lucky's Legacy Grant
Lucky’s Legacy Endowment provides grants to organizations that promote the safekeeping and welfare of pets and animals in East Mississippi. Eligible organizations include nonprofit organizations and/or governmental programs. Special consideration will be given to organizations that provide spay or neuter programs for rescued dogs and/or cats before being adopted. Only no-kill shelters are eligible to apply.
The Community Foundation of East Mississippi is committed to supporting organizations located throughout the five-county East Mississippi region (Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Newton counties). Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply by the stated deadline.
Neshoba Teacher Mini Grants
The purpose of the Neshoba Education Endowment Fund is to provide mini-grants to teachers to support educational programs and activities in Neshoba County.
Teacher Mini-Grants are limited to $500 or less.
The number of teacher grants given each year is based on the amount of funding available and the applications received. Multiple awards are given each year.
The Community Foundation of East Mississippi wants to support your efforts to enhance your curriculum, introduce new tools, or launch creative projects!
Eligibility:
- Must be a Neshoba County teacher
- Must be used for educational programs
- No Furniture Request
Kemper Hometown Teacher Mini Grants
The purpose of the Kemper Hometown Endowment Fund is to provide mini-grants to teachers and to support educational programs and activities in Kemper County.
Teacher Mini-Grants are limited to $500 or less.
Six teacher grants will be awarded each year.
The Community Foundation of East Mississippi wants to support your efforts to enhance your curriculum, introduce new tools, or launch creative projects!
Eligibility:
- Must be a Kemper County teacher
- Must be used for educational programs
- No furniture requests
Grant Cycle 3
September 1st – October 31st
Community • Leadership • Health and Human Services
Alfred and Luclie Rosenbaum Grant for General Charitable Purposes
Alfred and Lucile Rosenbaum were two people who loved this region. They possessed a hope and energy about the future for Meridian and East Mississippi. Mr. Rosenbaum pointed out, “We think we know what tomorrow will bring, but we never really do. It takes someone willing to make a difference first.”
The Alfred and Lucile Rosenbaum fund for General Charitable Purposes was established in November 2005 to meet the region’s ever-changing needs to “make that difference.”
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit organization or school
- Must serve residents of East MS – Kemper, Neshoba, Newton, Clarke, or Lauderdale County
Clarke County Foundation for Tomorrow
Clarke County Foundation for Tomorrow Grant
“The Clarke County Foundation for Tomorrow was created by the Clarke County Chamber of Commerce to benefit programs and activities for Clarke County Students through their respective school systems, their teachers or staff, or to benefit any 501c(3) organization whose programs and activities will benefit Clarke County.”
501 (c) (3) Organizations Eligibility:
- No grants for maintenance of assets—such as painting, roofing, etc.
- The grant must prove beneficial to Clarke County.
- The board of the 501 (c) (3) organization must approve the request for the grant before submission.
Education Eligibility:
- Teacher requests for programs must be beneficial to the children in their one class or all their classes, supplementing a teacher’s classroom activities.
- Teacher requests can be for supplies, books, or equipment to supplement a teacher’s classroom activities.
- Must not be used to supplement salaries, serve as a bonus, or be used to monetarily benefit teachers.
- The request for a grant must meet all the administrative requirements of your school system, and if the request for a grant requires approval from your school system, it should be obtained prior to submitting your grant request.
Life Endowment Grant
The Life Endowment was anonymously established in August 2007. The Life Endowment is to be exclusively used to benefit individuals who, through no fault of their own, have been negatively affected by their circumstances and need temporary help.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a resident of East MS – Kemper, Neshoba, Newton, Clarke, or Lauderdale County
Lean on Me Suicide Awareness and Support Grant
The 2025 Lean on Me Jubilee event team are proud of the success of the Second Annual Lean on Me Jubilee, held September 27th, 2025. The event was a great time to connect with the community and each other to move the mission of Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Support forward.
We are pleased to announce that the funds raised at the event will be returned to community partners throug mini grants to support other non-profit organizations whose mission aligns with the mission of the Lean on Me Jubilee event team. All community non-profit organizations with programs for Suicide Awareness, Suicide Prevention, or Support for families affected by suicide are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to those who participated in making the Lean on Me Jubilee event a success.
Meridian Jaycee Leadership Grant
The Meridian Jaycees established this endowment to create a lasting legacy of commitment to this community, inspiring future leaders for generations to come.
The Jaycees hope that the grants from this endowment will spark creativity in the development of leadership and growth for the future of Meridian and East Mississippi. Grants will provide funds for leadership training, community development, and projects that contribute to a more positive image of Meridian and East Mississippi.
Neshoba Positive Impact Grant
The Neshoba Positive Impact Fund (NPIF) was established in 2019 by the people of Neshoba County. An Affiliate Fund of the Community Foundation of East Mississippi, it is governed by a board of Neshoba County citizens who want to see their home thrive.
The goal of the NPIF is to grant funds for new programs, or to enhance and improve existing programs that benefit the Neshoba County Community.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit organization or school
- Must serve residents of Neshoba County
Rhonda Sheppard Hawkins Grant
Rhonda Sheppard Hawkins had many titles in her lifetime: Wife, Mother, Daughter, Co-Worker. But of all the titles that described her, FRIEND reverberates the loudest.
The Rhonda Sheppard Hawkins Endowment was established by her friends and family to honor her memory by providing aid and assistance to cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit organization
- Must serve residents of East MS – Kemper, Neshoba, Newton, Clarke, or Lauderdale County
Sandra Welch Niehuss Foundation for Cancer Prevention and Treatment
The Sandra Welch Niehuss Endowment was set up in her memory by her family in 2007. The purpose of the fund is to support community education and awareness programs related to cancer.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a nonprofit organization
- Must serve residents of East MS – Kemper, Neshoba, Newton, Clarke, or Lauderdale County