Your Community Foundation awards grants through several funding categories.
- Awards Funds are our special funds that make grants to individuals for a specific area of interest as directed by the fund creator.
- Designated Funds make grants to one or more specific organizations as directed by the fund creator.
- Donor-Advised Funds make grants to area nonprofits at the recommendation of the fund creator
- Field of Interest Funds make grants to benefit a particular group (such as women and children) or service area (such as education or the arts).
- Nonprofit Funds have been established by or for a particular nonprofit organization. Usually these are endowed funds created by nonprofit partners and are solely for the benefit of the organization.
- Scholarship Funds provide support to individuals to seek different levels of education. Each scholarship fund has its own purpose and eligibility requirements.
In addition to the above-listed fund categories, certain grants are awarded through our competitive grants cycle. Funding for competitive grants comes from the following funds:
- Community Trust Fund
- The A+ Fund (for educators)
- The Learning Project (for educational programs)
- The Betty Hunt Williams Memorial Charitable Fund (for underprivileged children)
- Thomas M. Blake Charitable Funds
- MMI Hotel Group/MMI Dining Systems Charitable Fund
- Thomas G. Ramey and Peggy Huff Harris Fund
The 2010 Award Recipients are:
- Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi
- Hope Haven Crisis Center
- Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi
- Madison Station Elementary School
- Millsaps College
- Mississippi College
- Mississippi Sings!
- Parents for Public Schools of Jackson
- Raines Elementary School
- Stewpot Community Services
- Tougaloo College
- United Way of the Capital Area
- Watkins Elementary School
- Wilkins Elementary School
Nissan / BankPlus Education Mini-Grants
Your Community Foundation has partnered with Nissan North America-Canton and BankPlus to provide an annual grants program for the Canton Public School District and Madison County School District. The Nissan/BankPlus Education Mini-Grant Program provides mini-grants to grades K-12 in the Canton and Madison County School Districts.
Any teacher, counselor, librarian, principal, or other school personnel who works directly with students can apply for a grant. Grant awards range from $500 to $1,500 and support innovative teaching and learning in conjunction with state-mandated curricula.Application cycle is closed.
Questions are only accepted by email >>
Jackson Public Schools Education Foundation Trust Fund
The Jackson Public Schools Education Foundation Trust, Inc., was created in 1985 by the MetroJackson Chamber of Commerce with the goal to fund classroom enrichment and student motivation programs which could not be funded by the regular school budget. Leaders in the Jacksoncommunity raised approximately $500,000 to establish the Trust. In December of 2000, the Trust was transferred to the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, thereby creating the Jackson Public Schools Education Foundation Trust Fund.
In 2005, the Trust combined forces with the Junior League of Jackson, which operated a similar program. Since its inception in 1985, the Trust has granted out over $1,150,000 to deserving programs.
JPS teachers who are interested in applying, should visit the JPS Partners in Education website.
Community Trust FundCreated in 1995, this unrestricted endowment fund awards grants for worthwhile projects in the areas of education, health, families/children, the environment, the arts, or community building.
In January 2008, Your Community Foundation's Board of Trustees approved the decision to use unrestricted funds in the Community Trust Fund to focus in the area of youth development for the next three years. Grants focus specifically on education in Canton and youth safety in Jackson and target the age group represented in the 6th through 12th grade years. Through this effort, your Community Foundation aspires to have a greater impact on youth living in the tri-county area by awarding fewer, targeted grants and measuring the results.