Community Foundation Establishes a COVID-19 Fund for South Mississippi
For over 30 years, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation has helped meet emerging community needs. After Hurricane Katrina, the Community Foundation was privileged to help local, state and national donors invest over $65 million in recovery efforts across South Mississippi. Ten years ago, the Community Foundation worked with local communities to respond to the BP Oil Spill. Coastal Mississippi is again facing another disaster with the COVOD-19 pandemic; and once again the Community Foundation is here to help.
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has established the South Mississippi COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund and has made an initial contribution in the amount of $100,000. This and other contributions to the Fund will be used to meet the immediate pressing needs of our friend and neighbors who are suffering because of the effect of the pandemic.
“Community Foundations play a unique role. Our primary purpose is to ensure the well-being of our local communities. Fortunately, the nature of community foundations allows us the structure and flexibility to respond to the most urgent community needs as they arise. As in other disasters, we are poised to work with donors and community leaders to assist the most vulnerable citizens, non-profits, and small businesses as they navigate these difficult times,” said Rodger Wilder, President of the of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
The Community Foundation has partnered with the United Way of South Mississippi, to award the first $65,000 in grant funding from the newly established fund. These grants to local non-profit agencies are currently on the ground and helping provide food, medicine, and other assistance to people across South Mississippi.
Other donors have already contributed over $225,000 to the South Mississippi COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund, administered by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. If you would also like to help, you may make your donations on-line at www.mgccf.org, or you may send your checks to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, 11975 Seaway Road, Suite B-150, Gulfport, MS 39503.