Foundation for the Mid South

07/29/2026

A strong mission requires a strong, supported team.

In a Forbes Nonprofit Council feature exploring how nonprofit organizations can balance mission impact with fair compensation, Foundation for the Mid South President and CEO Gregory Johnson shared an important reminder:
“Building strong, community-centric teams starts with investing in people as a core part of the mission.”

Equitable pay, meaningful benefits, and opportunities for team development are not separate from an organization’s impact. They help nonprofit professionals remain, grow, and continue serving communities effectively. Read the full article:
https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2026/02/27/15-ways-to-balance-mission-impact-and-fair-compensation/

07/27/2026

Economic opportunity should always be shaped with the community.

Join us for an interactive listening session where community members can share their experiences, identify barriers to employment and economic opportunity, and help shape future workforce development initiatives.

The conversation will be facilitated by Luis Montgomery, Regional Opportunity Coordinator for the Foundation for the Mid South.

Your experiences matter. Your ideas matter.

Help us reimagine what opportunity can look like in our community.

RSVP today: https://loom.ly/PrJQYfk

07/24/2026

Recently, we brought together workforce development leaders, employers, educators, and community partners from across Mississippi for a convening focused on the Moving Mississippians Forward Through Workforce (MMFTW) initiative.

The initiative, supported by the Foundation for the Mid South and funded through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Workforce Development Grant Program, included investing $550,000 in fresh grant funding to ten organizations that have been tasked to tackle the region’s most persistent barriers to employment, from childcare to transportation, while opening doors to good-paying, credential-backed careers.

The conversations were clear: creating real pathways to employment means addressing the full picture—childcare access, transportation, skills training, and credential attainment for the people who have historically been left out of opportunity.

We’re grateful to every voice that joined the table. This is how change happens. Hear directly from the organizations doing the work and received our Moving Mississippians Forward Through Employment initiative grant:

Jackson and the Mississippi Delta are no strangers to tough odds. ...

07/23/2026

A strong grant application starts with the right fit with the funder, a clear and concise story, evidence of lasting impact, and careful attention to every guideline. Start early, double-check the details, and invite someone you trust to review your work before submitting.

Remember: winning grants is more than having a great idea. Be able to show funders that your organization is prepared to deliver meaningful results.

Save these tips for your next application and share them with your team!

07/15/2026

Meet the seven storytellers behind the Delta Story Project.

Starting this summer, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Foundation of the Mid South is investing $49,200 in seven Cultural Ambassadors creating public-facing work that tells the true story of the Mississippi Delta and Jackson.

From mixed-media painting in Jackson to documentary film in Drew, a mural honoring Mound Bayou’s Taborian Hospital, and a chronicle of the Parchman Band in Greenwood—these artists and storytellers are advancing truth-telling, racial healing, and narrative change across our region.

Meet the full cohort: https://fndmidsouth.org/2026-delta-story…ort-announcement/

07/10/2026

Every month, we release our newsletter highlighting important topics connected to our mission, opportunities in the Mid South, and foundation updates you don’t want to miss.

If you’re not already subscribed, now is a great time to join. Sign up today: https://fndmidsouth.org/join/

07/08/2026

What a gathering! Last month, community members and community partners came together for the Common Ground: A Giving Experience. The energy in the room was a reminder of what’s possible when people choose to invest in one another.

Collective giving is growing across the Mid South, and we’re just getting started. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up and show out for this community.

Now, you can be a part of making an impact by starting or joining a giving circle. Get connected with those who are interested in giving circles, today: https://fndmidsouth.org/giving-circle

07/06/2026

We love introducing the people behind the mission.

Please join us in welcoming Brooke Williams and Luis Montgomery to the Foundation for the Mid South team! As the Communications Associate and Regional Opportunities Coordinator, respectively, they will play a vital role in ensuring we uphold our mission to strengthen communities across the Mid South.

We’re so glad to have you both, Brooke and Luis!

Learn more about our team: https://fndmidsouth.org/staff

07/01/2026

Maternal health doesn't end when a baby is born.

Mississippi continues to face significant maternal and infant health challenges, particularly for women in rural communities and Black mothers.

Our latest article explores why postpartum care remains one of the most critical and often overlooked parts of the maternal health journey.

Beyond Delivery: The Long Road Home for Mississippi Mothers highlights the experiences behind the statistics and examines the importance of accessible, continuous care and community support.

Read more: https://fndmidsouth.org/beyond-delivery-the-long-road-home-for-mississippi-mothers/

06/29/2026

A strong mission starts with a strong team.

This month, the Foundation for the Mid South team stepped away from the office for a staff retreat in Hot Springs, AR. A time to reconnect, realign, and recharge around our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.

Our vision: a thriving Mid South where every person has equitable access to education, health, and economic opportunities. Moments like these remind us why the work matters.

Thank you to our amazing facilitator, Rodney Washington, for spearheading thoughtful discussions around our strategic plan and programming for the Foundation.

Stay tuned for what we have planned next.