Message from the Chairman
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Chairman’s Message
Since its humble beginning in 1989, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation (“Foundation”) has evolved into a leading non-profit community organization endeavoring to provide donor services and leadership to meet the expanding community needs of the six coastal counties of South Mississippi (i.e. Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties).
While several years removed from Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Gulf Coast continues to overcome challenges from this natural disaster as well as confront the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Through its leadership, the Foundation has proactively addressed these challenges by assisting low-to-moderate income families meet their housing needs by administering the $32 Million Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund, resulting in the completion of over 80 projects and the reconstruction of over 600 homes. Additionally, the $15 Million Coming Home Collaborative Fund enabled the Foundation, working with community partners, to further its efforts by assisting 187 qualified families with home restoration needs resulting from either wind or water damage from the storm. Furthermore, in conjunction with a $4 Million grant from the Fund for Gulf Communities, the Foundation continues to collaborate with multiple non-profit organizations in South Mississippi to aid individuals and families affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
As the needs of our coastal community continue to evolve, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation is pursuing additional charitable funding opportunities to develop innovative programs to successfully enhance the quality of our six coastal counties of South Mississippi. Through our longstanding association with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the further development of our Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors relationship and charitable contributions of other local, regional and national non-profit organizations and donors, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation is well-positioned for growth to further its mission of meeting the community needs of South Mississippi.
Ron Barnes
Board Chairman
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation
“The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation regards philanthropy and volunteerism as habits of the heart that all should be learned early and practiced often.”
