Foundation for the Mid South

Community Development - Recognizing the need for community development across the region, the Foundation seeks to invest in municipalities, organizations, and people to help them develop solutions to allow their communities to grow and prosper. We do this by pursuing changes in systems and policy, including changes in coordination of services, contextualization of literacy and occupation skill development, combination of on-the-job training, development of career paths, strengthening the workplace to be a learning place, and improving policies. Continued on Schedule O.Community Development, Continued:In 2019, FMS supported a number of efforts to stimulate advanced economic impact. Amongst those were a new lineman training facility in the Mississippi Delta that continues to be featured nationally for its success in training entry level lineman for careers beginning well above the margin for family sustainability with upward mobility. Several linemen have attained journeyman status and one is already making six figures only seven months ...

Wealth Building - Agenda is to enable families to build financial security. We believe that building wealth requires increased access to effective financial programs and information. When families are given the tools and knowledge to get their finances on track, they can begin to grow their savings, maximize their income and acquire assets. Continued on Schedule O.Wealth Building, Continued:The Foundation for the Mid South provided financial training to 29 participants in New Way Mississippi Reentry Program. These individuals had the opportunity to learn skills that will help them obtain employment and transition back into society. The Foundation supported this process and provided essential financial information on the importance of saving, budgeting and credit management. They were challenged to set goals and work toward a brighter financial future.Financial training was provided to participants of our workforce development program. The Foundation partnered with the community colleges, a university and nonprofits to provide ...

Education - This program area focuses on addressing issues that ensures improved education outcomes leading to participation in higher education and employment. The goals are to increase student learning and improve indicators such as high school graduation rates, college-readiness, and work readiness across the Mid South. Several approaches are utilized to reach this goal: Expanding the skills and capacity of students and support groups, as well as organizations that support student learning in other mediums beyond the classroom.Continued on Schedule O.Education, Continued:In 2019, the Foundation partnered with selected school districts to improve student outcomes addressing key factors that may affect performance including absences. A major contributor to absences particularly for black males is oftentimes suspensions. The aim is to partner with selected districts to improve student's performance, learn more about current policies/practices and their influence on absences, suspensions and performance.The Foundation worked with the Cleveland and Greenwood/Leflore School Districts. The ...