Affiliates

The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi is the anchor foundation for its 12-county region. Each county has the capacity to raise its own funds and grant those funds back to the county, while using a local advisory Board.

This is considered an Affiliate Fund.

 

Affiliate Facts

  • Affiliate Funds are Field-of-Interest Endowment Funds and can be established with a minimum gift of $10,000.
  • Affiliate Funds allow up to 5% of the balance to be used annually for grants.
  • Affiliate Funds carry a 1% administrative fee to support the charitable work of the Foundation.
  • The Fund is established in the county name: XXXX County Community Foundation.
  • Each county must identify a "champion" to chair the affiliate advisory board. This board raises funds and makes its own grant decisions.
  • The Affiliate Fund must operate within the policies and procedures of its anchor organization, The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

Affiliate Benefits

  • Each county builds its own endowment fund of a permanent, charitable savings account.
  • Affiliates gain control over their own county destiny.
  • establish a forum for leaders and donors to work together for the long-term good of their community.
  • Organize and centralize knowledge about the needs in your community.
  • The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi staff handles the administrative details, provides legal structure, and assists the affiliate county leadership with technical assistance and their charitable goals.
  • Affiliate Funds are managed by our investment partner, Hardy Reed, LLC.

Panola County Community Foundation

"Connecting People Who Care with Causes That Matter in Panola County"

The Panola County Community Foundation serves as a bridge between an individual's personal desire to give and the fulfillment of that charitable will.

As a partner fund to the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, we are in the midst of building a permanent, charitable fund to benefit all citizens of Panola County.

Panola County native and local business leader William Pride gathered a group of Panola County professionals and community leaders for the purpose of creating and establishing an endowment. In 2008, the Panola County Community Foundation was founded.

Since its founding, the goal remains simple: to improve the quality of life for all Panolians—now and for generations to come.

As one of ten counties served by the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, Panola County maintains a unique partnership with the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, which serves to advise, guide, and provide matching funds to the Panola County Community Foundation.

In 2008, the Panola County Community Foundation organized a local board, established bylaws, and began creating a strategic plan to raise $100,000, raising $20,000 in less than one year.

The Panola County Community Foundation serves as a bridge between individuals' personal desire to give and the fulfillment of that charitable will.

Giving to an endowment means giving to the future and helping to create permanent funds that have long-term, everlasting impact. Unlike a charitable donation to a specific organization, the Panola County Community Foundation receives money, invests money, and gives money for county programs and projects—while leaving a portion in the fund to grow and provide for future giving.

Anyone can give to an endowment. Assets can be of any type or value, including cash, land, stocks, or property. Donations can be designated as endowed or non-endowed. Assets are pooled and invested under the direction of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

The Panola County Community Foundation is unique in that funds can be distributed across a wide range of needs including areas such as education, healthcare, and early-intervention programs. As years pass and needs change, the foundation can still fulfill its mission to improve quality of life by continually identifying priority needs and by giving supporting funds.

The volunteer board of directors reflects the diversity of Panola County. The board sets policy and acts as an advisor to the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.

Joe Azar, President
Batesville

Frank West, Vice-President
CEO, 1st Security Bank
Batesville

Karen Ott Mayer, Secretary
Writer
Como

Judge Jimmy McClure, Treasurer
Circuit Court Judge, 17th District
Sardis

Meg Bartlett
Spiritual Leader, Home Place Pastures
Como

Betty Billingsley
Retired, Batesville City School
Batesville

Michael Dunlap
President, Dunlap & Kyle
Batesville

Janet Flint
Case Worker, North Delta Planning & Development District, Inc.
Batesville

Roy Girner
President, Dell Street Storage
Batesville

John Reed
North Panola School System
Sardis

Sledge Taylor
Owner, Buckeye Farms
Como

If you would like to donate to the Panola County Community Foundation, contact:

Panola County Community Foundation
c/o Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi
315 Losher Street, Suite 100
Hernando, MS 38632

Contact: Joe Azar, President / 662-563-3126

Yalobusha County Community Foundation

The Yalobusha Community Foundation was established by a board of directors led by Brandon Presley (see full bio https://edelenrenewables.com/brandon-presley/) to fund the economic development of the county, which encompasses the town of Water Valley.