The Breast Cancer Crusaders hold an annual tennis tournament, the Pink Ribbon Classic, at Bayou Bluff Tennis Club in Gulfport, and the proceeds have been used to fund grants for mammography assistance programs at Memorial Hospital Foundation, Singing River Health System.

The Community Foundation manages several endowment funds that ensure the long-term sustainability of groups such as the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and the Gulf Coast Symphony. With secure funds in place, these important cultural groups can continue to offer events such as the Walter Anderson Museum’s summer camps for kids to community concerts by the Gulf Coast Symphony.

Just another example of how the Community Foundation is “leaving its mark” in South Mississippi…..funding important feeding programs, food pantries, and emergency grocery or utility assistance through groups like:

Feed My Sheep, Our Daily Bread, Salvation Army, Manna Ministries, Hope Haven, Christian Care Ministries, Beauvoir United Methodist Food Pantry, & Bethel Lutheran Food Pantry.

Thanks to a large gift from an anonymous donor in the wake of the BP oil spill, the Community Foundation distributed over $3.6 million to 29 important area nonprofits, including the Bethel Free Health Clinic and St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy. The Bethel Free Health Clinic was able to build a new clinic and continue to provide quality medical care at no charge to thousands of local residents. St. Vincent De Paul was able to increase the number of free or reduced cost prescriptions it distributes to the elderly and those in need.

Thanks to a generous $445,000 grant from the Jack A. & Gertrude W. Wilson Animal Welfare Fund, they have been able to help save over 4,600 animals in South Mississippi since 2007.  The Wilson “Love Train” project takes adoptable pets to other parts of the country wanting animals for adoption, saving thousands of animals from being put to sleep.  In 2012 alone, over 1,000 pets were transported as part of the “Love Train” project.

The Community Foundation is happy to have “left our mark” in South Mississippi by securing grants that help fund such worthy causes as the “Love Train” and the Humane Society of South Mississippi.

This scholarship is for an individual seeking a major in the behavioral health field of study, (i.e. social work, psychology, counseling) or plan to major in one of these areas. The student must have family residency in Harrison, Jackson, Hancock, or Pearl River County.

If you have questions you may contact the Gulf Coast Community Foundation office by calling (228)897-4841

Deadline for application is April 30, 2013.  DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Just another example of how the Community Foundation is “Leaving Our Mark” in South Mississippi…by supporting activities for seniors and ensuring they have community gathering places and safe affordable housing.

Did you know that the funds we manage and the grants we receive help make the following programs possible?

• Rebuilding of 12 community centers destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
• Construction of new affordable retirement housing safely inland, in conjunction with Mississippi Methodist Senior Services.
• Expansion of the annual MS Gulf Coast Senior Games, which provides sports and recreation opportunities for active seniors in over 15 sports. (This year’s event will be held April 13-20. Details – www.gulfcoastseniorgames.org).
• Annual sponsorship of the MS Gulf Coast Senior Prom, now in its 7th year and attracts over 500+ seniors to relive their high school days with great music, food, fun, and friends.

Please help us continue this good work and join our “Leave Your Mark” campaign – DONATE TODAY.

CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates for Kids, have been leaving their mark in South Mississippi by providing trained, caring volunteers to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court.

Over the last two years, the Community Foundation has awarded $300,000 in grants to CASA groups in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties. These funds have allowed these important programs to increase their staff sizes, train additional volunteers, and help more needy children.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Please consider a donation to the Community Foundation or the charity of your choice.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation provided a grant to the Memorial Hospital Foundation to establish a regional center for breastfeeding education and assistance.  The project was supported through the Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund, one of the many funds that Gulf Coast Community Foundation administers.  Through this grant, Memorial Hospital was able to provide the Breastfeeding Center with a consultation area, purchase a scale that can show the actual amount of breast milk a baby receives during a session, along with much needed office and display space.