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together.
we make a difference.
CREATE Foundation // Annual Report 2015
together. we make a difference.
Table of Contents
Board of Directors
Report Dedication
Commission
Affiliates Donor Advised Funds
Organization Endowments
SpecialProjectFunds ScholarshipFunds
SupportingOrganizations
ToyotaWellspringEducationFund
4 Board Officers
6
8
10
12
15
18
20
23
26
28
MarchbanksEndowmentFund
30
McLeanAwards 32
NortheastMississippiYouthFoundation34
EndowmentFunds
36
FinancialReport 38
A
s a community foundation, CREATE
workstopromotephilanthropy,build
and oversee permanent endowments and
provideleadershiponkeycommunity
issues.Since1972,CREATEhaspartnered
withindividuals,families,organizations
andcorporationstoprovidegrantstonon-profitsthathelp
meet a wide range of community needs. The focus of the
foundationincludesleadershipandsupportforeducation,
healthandhumanservices,theartsandpublicrecreation
andbeautification.Sinceourfounding,donorshavemade
charitablegiftstotalingmorethan$100million.
Board Officers (L to R): Tommy Tomlinson, past chairman,
Cathy Robertson, treasurer, Ormella Cummings, secretary,
Robin McCormick, vice chairman, Greg Pirkle, chairman,
Mike Clayborne, president
Seeking the common good
CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean
believedthatbyjoiningtogether,communitiescouldcultivate
leadersandheroeswhowouldmakeadifferenceforusall.
Whetherthroughgrantingscholarships,developingleadership
trainingprogramsorenhancingcollegeandcareerreadiness,
promotingleadershipinourcommunitiesiskeytoour
long-termsuccessasaregion.TheMcLeansserveasagreat
exampleofwhatexceptionalleadershipcanaccomplish.They
believedthateachofushastheresponsibilitytohelpraise
thelevelofallpeopleinourcommunities.Theirvisionfora
vibrantandgrowingNortheastMississippiwouldnothave
happenedwithouttheirpersistentleadership.Sointheheroic
spiritofGeorgeandAnnaKeirseyMcLean,let’scontinue
toworktogethertowardrealizingtheirvisionofprogress,
growthandvitalityforourregion.
Board Officers 5
Grace Clark
Community Volunteer
Tupelo
Bo Collins
CEO & President
BNA Bank
New Albany
John Creekmore
Attorney
Creekmore Law
Office, PLLC
Amory
Ormella Cummings,
Ph.D.
Chief Strategy Officer
North MS Health
Services
Tupelo
Clay Foster
President, CEO &
Publisher
Journal, Inc.
Tupelo
Hassell H. Franklin
CEO
Franklin Corporation
Houston
Bobby Harper
Senior VP/BDO
Renasant Bank
Columbus
Octavious Ivy
Clinical/Support
Services
NMMC
Tupelo
Gloria Kellum, Ph.D.
Retired Vice
Chancellor for UM
Oxford
Larry Kirk
Retired CEO
Hancock Fabrics, Inc.
Tupelo
Randy Long
President
Long Wholesale
Distributors, Inc.
Corinth
Bobby P. Martin
Chairman of the
Board
The People’s Bank
Ripley
Robin McCormick, CPA
Guy Mitchell
Board Counsel
Mitchell, McNutt &
Sams, P.A.
Tupelo
Buddy Montgomery
Chairman & President
First Choice Bank
Pontotoc
Aubrey Patterson
Retired Chairman of
the Board
BancorpSouth
Tupelo
Greg Pirkle
Attorney
Phelps Dunbar, LLP
Tupelo
Eddie Prather
Consultant
The Excellence Group
Tupelo
Jack Reed, Sr.
Chairman
Reed’s
Tupelo
Cathy Robertson
Executive VP
BancorpSouth
Tupelo
Becky Rollins
Community Volunteer
Tupelo
Ronny Rowland
Manager
Prentiss County
Electric Power Assoc.
Booneville
David Rumbarger
President & CEO
Community
Development
Foundation
Tupelo
David Shaw, Ph.D.
MSU Vice President
for Research and
Economic
Development
Starkville
Sean Suggs
Vice President
Toyota
Blue Springs
Tommy Tomlinson
Division President
Renasant Bank
Starkville
Mitch Waycaster
President
Renasant Bank
Tupelo
H.L. “Sandy” Williams
Chairman
Coca-Cola Bottling
Works Corporation
Corinth
6 Directors
Partner
Watkins, Ward &
Stafford, PLLC
West Point
Board of Directors
CREATE’s directors are community leaders
who strive to set a standard for excellence.
They offer valuable wisdom and insight
in guiding the Foundation. Many share
experience and expertise in financial and
legal matters. In regard to grant making and
programs, our directors strive to make the best
possible decisions for our region. They are
donors themselves demonstrating that their
commitment extends to sharing their financial
resources. The caliber of our leadership is
often a key reason for donor confidence in the
Foundation.
CREATE Staff
Michael K. Clayborne
President
Lewis Whitfield
Senior Vice President
CREATE Founders
Directors Emeritus
George A. McLean
1904-1983
FelixBlack
1917-2003
Anna Keirsey McLean
1906-2000
Jim Ingram
1930-2006
James Hugh Ray
1927-2007
J.C. Whitehead
1921-2004
Jack Reed, Sr.
1924-2016
Bryan Wilson
Managing Partner
Tacoma Ag, LLC
Fulton
Juanita Floyd
Vice President of Finance &
Administration
Thank You
for 30 Years,
Juanita!
Albine Bennett
Director of Communications
Administrative Assistant
Mary Alice McLaurin
Commission Administrative
Assistant
Katie Stuart, CPA
Director of Finance
Directors 7
The 2015 CREATE Annual Report is dedicated to the life of
Jack Reed, Sr.
1924-2016
NortheastMississippilostastarthisyearwiththedeathof
JackReedSr.,Tupelo’spreeminentcivicleaderandaguiding
force of the CREATE Foundation.
ReedwasamongthelastofaGreatestGenerationcadre
ofTupelo’sbusinessandprofessionalleadershipwho,after
WorldWarII,transformedapleasantcounty-seattowninto
athrivingcitywhichbecamearegionalmagnetforeconomic
growth,employment,strongpubliceducationandavigorous
artsandculturalcommunity.
Throughouthislife,Reedearnedanationalreputationas
aneloquentadvocateforracialfairnessandreconciliation
in Mississippi. He had served as a member of the United
MethodistChurch’sCommissiononReligionandRace,
throughwhichhebecamefriendswithkeyleadersinthe
nationalCivilRightsMovement.
ReedwasafoundingCREATEboardmemberin1972and
servedasChairmanfrom1977-1979.
ReedwasadirectoremeritusoftheDailyJournal’s
corporate board of directors, a position in which he served for
ahalfcentury.
Reedhadbeenaclosefriend,confidantandcommunity
builderwiththelateGeorgeMcLean,theDailyJournal’s
executiveeditor,publisherandthefounderofCREATE,the
“
not-for-profitfoundationwhichownsallstockinJournalInc
CREATEfeelsaspeciallossbecauseofhislongtimeservice
andcontributions,whichhavehelpedmaketheorganization
what it is today.
Oneofhisgreatestcontributionswasin1995whileserving
ontheoriginalCommissionontheFutureofNortheast
Mississippi. He proposed the idea of providing guaranteed
tuitiontocommunitycollegesforhighschoolgraduatesfrom
NortheastMississippi.Hisvisionbecamearealityin2008.
Reed’sgreatestlegacyishisfamily,whichcontinuesto
provideleadershipandservicetoourregionandstate.
HewasmarriedtoFrancesPurvisReed,andtheywerethe
parentsoffourchildren,allofwhomreturnedtoTupeloafter
college.
Reed’scontributionsinpubliceducation,economic
developmentandracialreconciliationspantheentireregion,
state and South.
Reedalwaysservedwithhonor,distinction,visionand
unflinchingintegrity.
Of all the people I have known in our state of
Mississippi, none has been more inspiring than Jack
Reed. He was a leader in every way his whole lifetime.”
William Winter
Mississippi Governor
Report Dedication 9
together. we promote success.
Overall Goal:
Increase regional per capita
income from 66.69% of the 2000
national average to 75% by 2015.
10 Commission
Primary Supporting Goal:
Improve highest level of education
attained by adults 25 years and older in
the region.
Commission
The Commission on the Future of Northeast
Mississippi, the program arm of CREATE,
celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015. For
the past two decades, the Commission has
been building regional cooperation and unity
through effective regional community
development. To achieve its purpose of
regional unity, the Commission studies data,
identifies key issues, sets regional goals to
address the issues, and serves as a catalyst
and convener to help attain the goals.
Education.
Highereducationalachievementandattainmentthroughoutour
regionresultsinthedevelopmentofahighqualityworkforce.For
morethanadecade,theCommissionhashelpedinitiateandfacilitate
severalregionalinitiativesdesignedtoreducedropoutsateverylevelof
educationandtoenhancethequalityofeducationofallstudents.
ExamplesofCommissioninitiativesincludedropoutprevention
summits, dropout recovery programs, media campaigns, support for
highqualityearlychildhoodinitiatives,andfacilitationoftheMSUUMTaskForceonRegionalDevelopment.Twootherinitiatives
deservespecialmentionbelow.
Tuition Guarantee.
Since2008,atuitionguaranteeinitiativehasbeengrowingwithinour
region.Today,all17countiesintheregionoffertheTuitionGuarantee
Programtorecenthighschoolgraduateswiththepromiseof100%
paidtuitionforuptofourregularsemestersatoneoffourcommunity
colleges.Inthefallof2015,atotalof2,600youngpeoplewerecovered
byourregion’sprogram.Financialsponsorsvarybycountybutinclude
threefoundations,twoplanninganddevelopmentdistricts,counties,
cities,businesses,andindividuals.TheStateofTennesseerecently
passedalawfundinganalmostidenticalprogramthroughoutthestate.
Commission Members
Alcorn
Monroe
Gary Chandler
John Mercier
Clayton Stanley
Jim Edwards
Skip Miles
Jean Pinkley
Benton
Oktibbeha
Jack Gadd
Bill Renick
Calhoun
John Burt
Lisa McNeece
Chickasaw
Patsy Gregory
Bill Smith
Clay
Amy Berry
Eddie Longstreet
Itawamba
B.J. Canup
Mike Eaton
Lafayette
Michelle Amos
Frank Chiles
Dr. Tommy Stevenson
Pontotoc
Phyllis Ford High
Judge James L. Roberts, Jr.
Prentiss
Patrick Eaton
Ronny Rowland
Tippah
Duane Bullard
Kyle Smith
Tishomingo
Beth Davis
Dr. Bob Ferguson
John Adams
Dr. Gloria Kellum
Randy Leister
Union
Lee
At Large
Grace Clark
Glenn McCullough, Jr.
Guy Mitchell, III (Chair)
Paul Mize, Jr.
Rickey Thompson
Lowndes
Nick Ardillo
Allegra Brigham (Vice Chair)
Birney Imes
Antwann Richardson
Marshall
Betsey Hamilton
Phil Morris
Denotee Martin
Eddie Prather
Senator Bill Stone
Emeritus
Kenny Dill
Bobby Martin
Jack Reed, Sr. (1924-2016)
Sandy Williams
University
Lee Tyner
Kyle Steward
Dr. Gemma Beckley
Mayor Kelvin Buck
Sarah Sawyer
Districts of Innovation.
In2015,theCommissionworkedwiththeMississippiLegislatureto
securepassageofanewlaw,entitledDistrictsofInnovation.This
lawwillenablepublicschooldistrictleaderstoformulatenewplans
designed to improve academic performance. The State Board of
Educationmaydesignateuptofivedistrictsofinnovationannually.
Eachdistrictwillbegivenfiveyearstoimplementandexecuteits
plans.Hopefully,someofthesuccessfulfeaturesofthesedistricts’
plansmaybereplicatedbyotherdistrictswithinthestate.
State of the Region.
For20years,CREATE’sCommissionhassponsoredaStateofthe
Regionmeeting.InMay,morethan200communityandstateleaders
heardtwoexcellentpresentationsfromDavidDodsonofMDCand
Dr.DavidShawofMSU.Thoseinattendancealsoreceivedtwokey
reports–onewhichprofilesregionalgrowthanddevelopmentandone
whichmeasuresprogresstowardsregionalgoals.
Opposite page: Mike Eaton, president of ICC presents Laura
Coker with her diploma. Above: Graduates of ICC wait for the
commencement ceremony to begin.
Commission 11
together. we build communities.
12 Affiliates
CREATE and its 12 community affiliates work
together to help revitalize communities, develop
new leaders, and increase civic involvement and
private investments throughout the region. Our
affiliates support a wide range of initiatives that
help breathe new life into the region. To recognize
their efforts, Journal, Inc. established the James
Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award. James
Hugh Ray was a community hero and made many
valuable contributions to our region and to the
CREATE Foundation. He was instrumental in CREATE’s
establishment, serving as its legal architect and
advisor. He was a loyal board member for many
years.
2015 James Hugh Ray Community
Affiliate Award Winner:
South Monroe
South Monroe County Community Fund received the
2015JamesHughRayCommunityAffiliateAward.LikeMr.Ray,South
Monroehasdistinguisheditselfasanorganizationofintegrityanddedication.
Since2005,SouthMonroehasfocusedonmakingitscommunitiesawareof
thegivingopportunitiesthatthefoundationprovides.Recentgrantsinclude
AberdeenBandBoosters,AberdeenHighSchool,AberdeenAirForceJunior
ReserveOfficeTrainingCorps,AberdeenMainStreet,TheBukkaWhiteBlue
BluffFestival,HamiltonVolunteerFireDepartment,TheMagnolias,Monroe
CountySheriffDepartment,ShiversMiddleSchool,andTennTomMoving
Youth,Inc.Since2007,SouthMonroeCommunityFoundationhasawarded
66grantsto25organizationsandspecialprojectstotaling$35,631.
Affiliate Endowment Balances
Alcorn
$1,315,275
CARE Endowment Fund CorinthAlcorn Reaching for Excellence
Calhoun
$251,350
Calhoun County Endowment Fund
Chickasaw
$435,918
Partners in Achieving Community
Excellence
Clay
$1,104,182
West Point Community Foundation
Itawamba
$660,546
Friends of Itawamba Responding to
Secure Tomorrow
Lafayette
$702,995
Lafayette/Oxford Foundation for
Tomorrow
Lowndes
$303,882
Columbus Lowndes Foundation Fund
Monroe
$359,266
North Monroe County
Community Fund: $180,603
South Monroe County
Community Fund: $178,662
Oktibbeha
$340, 895
Starkville-Oktibbeha Achieving
Results
Tippah
$352,696
Tippah And Ripley Growing
Excellence Together
Above, left: South Monroe has made grants to the Aberdeen Elkin Theater to help purchase a new digital
projector and screen for the theater as well as replacement of stage curtains. Above, right: South Monroe
has made grants to the Aberdeen Animal Shelter to support their spay and neuter program. South Monroe
supports shelter’s mission and initiative programs. Opposite page: South Monroe County Community Fund
and the Aberdeen Garden Club join forces to keep Historic Aberdeen beautiful.
Union
$603, 522
Union County/New Albany Initiative
to Excel
Affiliates 13
affiliate boards
Alcorn (CARE)
H. L “Sandy” Williams,
Chair
Hull Davis
Fred Joe Vann, Jr.
Orma R. Smith
Clayton Stanley
Kenneth Williams
Mona Lisa Grady,
Executive Director
Calhoun
Bill Williams, Co-chair
John G. Burt, Co-chair
Randy Baker
Jim Blue
Sheila Freely
Joel McNeece
Lorna Reifers
Melany Taylor
Michael Watkins
Chickasaw (PACE)
Bobby Mooneyham,
Chair
Frank Alford
Alford Bell
Tom Byrne
Dr. Betsy Collums
Hassell Franklin
Rayburn Parks
Harry Robinson
Bob Scott
Gary Staten
Clay (West Point)
Kenny Dill, Chair
Dewel Brasher
Jimmy Bryan
Robin McCormick
Louise Campbell,
Executive Director
Itawamba (FIRST)
Brian Quinn, Chair
Patti Davis Bennett
Joey Cox
Laken Graham
Romona Edge
Teresa Floyd
Ginger Howell
Sid Kirksey
Matt Kline
George Marquis
Teresa McNeece
Luke Montgomery
14 Affiliates
Itawamba (FIRST) cont.
Jeffrey Strunk
Jason Wallace
Bryan Wilson
Cindy Wilson
Lafayette (LOFT)
Walt Davis, Chair
Ben Bolton
Bette Butler
Michael Joe Cannon
Timeka Davis
Anne Fair
Julie Field
Dotsy Fitts
Teresa Flautt
Sam Haskell
Richard Howorth
Jean Jordan
Jacqui Lear
Caroline Mayo
Lane McCluer
Caroline McIntosh
Ed Meek
Mike Mitchell
Jane Kerr Nance
Robert Paine
Roy Percy
Susan Phillips
Mary Sharp Rayner
Ken Rutherford
Lisa Spragins
Molissia Swaney
Sherry Wall
Julie Yoste
Jody Holland,
Executive Director
Lowndes
Helen Pridmore, Chair
Mary Alexander
Barbara Bigelow
Stevan Black
Charlie Box
Tom Buckley
Nancy Carpenter
Jim Davidson
John T. Frazier
Rob Graham
Bobby Harper
Brenda Howard
Birney Imes
Susan Jones
Bain Nickels
Perrin Smith
Stewart Stafford
Lowndes cont.
Alma Turner
Jan Estman,
Executive Director
South Monroe
Kathy Seymour, Chair
Dr. Doris Blanchard
Patsy Claxton
Nan Corbell
James Edwards, Jr.
Dr. Lavon Fluker-Reed
Martin Hansen
Susan Honeycutt
Bradley Lipsey
Leon Manning
Greg Miller
North Monroe
Bo Miller, Chair
Dottie Haney
Bobby Cleveland
George Darden
Mary Lib Francis
Art Gentry
Geneva Moon
Larry Palmer
Dr. Len Pinkley
Tony Poss
Deborah Rogers
Oktibbeha (SOAR)
Paul Millsaps, Chair
John Robert Arnold
Dr. David Boles
Brother Larnzy Carpenter
Bobby Crosland
Suzanne S. Dressel
Dr. Dora Herring
Martin Jue
Pat Lane
Buddy Staggers
Nellah Taylor
Charles E. Weatherly
Martha Wells
Ross Williams
Marty Wiseman
Jan Eastman,
Executive Director
Tippah (Target)
Bob Glover, Chair
Dean Caviness
Von Coombs
John Frank Gibbs
Melissa Harrison
Tippah (Target) cont.
Jim Jackson
Beverly Moffitt
Deborah Hurt,
Administrative Assistant
Union (UNITE)
Travis Wiseman, Chair
Pam Brown
James (Bo) Collins
Ray Collins
Gary Cooper
Cathy Garrett
Jay Herrington
Cathy McClinton
Bobby Moore
Phil Morris
Thad Mueller
Rodney Shands
Ann Shirley
Bill Smallwood
Anne J. Stephens
Collett Cross,
Executive Director
Tupelo/Lee County
Dick White, Chair
Pat Caldwell, ViceChair
V.M. Cleveland
Linda Gholston
Lisa Hawkins
Chuck Imbler
Gene McDade
Ted Moll
Aubrey Patterson
David Rumbarger
Tilmon Calvert
Kim Estess
Chauncey Godwin
Mickey Holliman
Zell Long
Gloria McKinney
Sam Pace
Scott Reed
Mitch Waycaster
David Wilson
donor advised funds
ALBERT AND BILLIE GREEN
ALBERT DELGADILLO
ALFORD AND SHELIA BELL
ALICE STAFFORD
ANN PHILLIPS AND HUGHES MILAM
ANNA MIZE ADAMS AND PAUL LOUIS ADAMS
BABS AND MICKEY HOLLIMAN
BETSEY AND TOM HAMILTON
BOBBY J. AND MINERVA MOORE
BOBBY MOONEYHAM
BOBBY P. AND BARBARA M. MARTIN
BULLARD FAMILY
CABELL
CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH LLC CARE
CARLOCK TOYOTA
CAROL BYRNE CHILDREN’S
CATHERINE AND PAUL MIZE
CATHY AND DON ROBERTSON
CHAD AND MARY MARGARET CASE
CHARLES AND JOYCE JOHNSTON
CHARLES WEATHERLY
CINDY AND MARTY SPARKS
CLAY AND LANA FOSTER
COCA-COLA BOTTLING WORKS - C.T.L. CHARITABLE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH (AT&T)
CROFTON AND CAMILLE SLOAN
CUMMINGS FAMILY
DAKIN REED
DAVID AND DONNA RUMBARGER (GRACE)
DAVID HENSON
DAVID M. PALMER
DENNIS AND BETH TOSH
DINETIA NEWMAN
DOROTHY D. AND GEORGE H. RUFF FOUNDATION
DOUG AND RHONDA HANBY
DR. AND MRS. DAN BRASFIELD
DR. AND MRS. DOUG CLARK
DR. AND MRS. FAYETTE WILLIAMS
DR. AND MRS. RICHARD WARRINER
ED AND HELEN MEEK
EDDIE AND PRISCILLA PRATHER
ELLEN DRANE MAULDIN
ELLEN R. WALKER
FRANK AND AMY DAVIS
FRANKLIN CORPORATION
FREEMAN FAMILY
FULTON AND JULIE THOMPSON
GEORGE M. AND BETTY B. TAYLOR
GREG AND LISA PIRKLE
HASSELL H. FRANKLIN
ITAWAMBA GOOD WORKS - WALDORF
JACK AND DANA FOSTER
JACK AND LISA REED
JACK AND MARY LIB FRANCIS
JAMES D. BRYAN
JAN BOTTS
JANE SPAIN
JASON AND MELISSA HARRISON
JENNIFER MOONEYHAM
JIM AND LISA HAWKINS
JOE AND KIM ESTESS
JOE AND MAROLYN HESTER
JOE EDD AND SANDI MORRIS
JOE RUTHERFORD
JOHN AND JANET MATTHEWS
JOHN AND SARA FRANCES HARDY
JOHN P. AND LINDA C. SULLIVAN
JOHN PAUL FRERER MEMORIAL
JOHN R. AND MARY FICKLIN ARNOLD
JOYCE AND HAL POLK
JUDY AND BOB DAVIS
KATY AND CLAYTON STANLEY
KENNY AND ANNA DILL
KIRK AND TATE FORRESTER FAMILY
LAURIE HORN STEVENSON
LEN AND JEAN PINKLEY
LENHOFF FAMILY TRUST
LILLA REED
LINDA MADDEN MARTIN MEMORIAL
LONG DISTRIBUTORS CORINTH
LOUISE CAMPBELL
M AND A FAMILY
M/M RONNY ROWLAND
MALONEY MANAGEMENT, LLC
MARSHALL AND DAPHNE MONTGOMERY
MARTHA AND M.B. MARTIN
MARTHA SWINDLE
MARY AND CHARLES WERNER
MARY AND SAM PACE
MELVIN AND VALERIE RAY
MINGA FAMILY
MOSSY OAK FOUNDATION
MR. JACK REED, SR.
MR. AND MRS. BRITT ROGERS, III
MR. AND MRS. W.T. WILLIAMS, III
MR. AND MRS. ALAN BANK
MR. AND MRS. AUBREY B. PATTERSON
MR. AND MRS. BARRY FORD
MR. AND MRS. DENOTEE MARTIN
MR. AND MRS. H.L. (SANDY) WILLIAMS
MR. AND MRS. HEYWOOD WASHBURN
MR. AND MRS. JOHN G. BURT
MR. AND MRS. JOHN JAMESON ROGERS
MR. AND MRS. LARRY KIRK
MR. AND MRS. MIKE CLAYBORNE
MR. AND MRS. MORGAN BALDWIN
MR. AND MRS. OCTAVIUS IVY
MR. AND MRS. THEODORE S. MOLL
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. DAVIS, JR.
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM HULL DAVIS
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM RAY REED SR.
MR. KENNETH WILLIAMS
MR. ROBERT H. SCOTT
MRS. ANNE J. STEPHENS
MRS. BILLIE H. WADLINGTON
MRS. CAROLYN BOGGAN
MRS. ELIZABETH ANN BROWN
MRS. GRACE DIRLAM
NANCY INGRAM
NELLAH TAYLOR AND J. MARK MERRITT
OLD WAVERLY GOLF CLUB
PHIL AND SUSAN MORRIS
PHIL AND VICKIE LITTLE
R.W. REED COMPANY
RANDY AND PENNY LONG
RAYBURN PARKS
ROBERT AND JANE BLACK
ROBERT W. AND KATHLEEN SEYMOUR
ROBIN AND ANNE HAIRE
ROBIN AND MIMI MCGRAW
ROBIN Y. MCCORMICK
ROSS AND DIANA WILLIAMS
RUBYE DEL HARDEN
RUSSELL AND LYNN GAINES
SANFORD AND SUSAN THOMAS
SARA AND MONTGOMERY BERRY
SARA M. AND HOWARD R. HINDS
SARAH DILL REILY
SCOTT AND ANNETTE REED
STAGGERS
STEPHEN AND SONYA MILES
STUART P. VANCE
SULLIVAN FOUNDATION
SUSAN AND GUY MITCHELL
TERRE AND ORMA SMITH
TERRY AND KATHY JACKSON
TERRY G. MANN
THE BYRNE CPA CHARITABLE
THE LARRY BROWN
VAN OSTEN FAMILY
WILEMON FOUNDATION SPECIAL PROJECT
WILLIAM AND ELIZABETH WEST
WILLIAM GRAHAM AND MARTHA F. WELLS
ZELL LONG
Donor Advised Funds 15
A donor advised fund allows
donors to make contributions and
grant recommendations at their
convenience. Donations and tax
reporting are consolidated into a
year-end statement for the donor
by CREATE. All donations are tax
deductible at the time they are
made to the Foundation; however,
gift disbursements may be made
at a later date. Another advantage
of donor advised funds is that
appreciated securities may be
used as contributions to the fund
and are not subject to capital
gains tax. In most cases, the full
market value is tax deductible.
Donor advised funds may be
established by individuals, families,
organizations or corporations. To
learn more about establishing a
donor advised fund at CREATE, log
on to www.createfoundation.com
or call (662) 844-8989.
Featured Donor Advised Fund:
Orma and Terre Smith
“To whom much is given, much is
expected.Whenwearegonewewillonly
berememberedforwhatwedidwhile
wewerehere,”saidGeorgeTayloratthe
2013CreateFallSummit.WhenIheard
GeorgeTaylorutterthesewords Irealized
thatIhadmuchtolearn.Iwassittingintheroomfullof
titansofNorthMississippi…Sandy&KennethWilliams,Jack
Reed, Sr., Bobby Martin and so many more, men and women
whohadgivensomuchtosomany.AllIcouldthinkwas,I
willneverbeabletodowhatthesepeoplehavedone.Mynext
thoughtwas,weneedtoraiseupanewgenerationoffamilies
whowillcareaboutourstateandregionsasmuchasthese
men and women do.
Georgethenbegantoexplainhowheandhiswifeusedthe
Donor Advised Fund at CREATE to distribute their gifts. So
IwenthomeandtoldmywifeTerre,“Wearegoingtoneedto
give more.”
InJanuary2014weopenedourDonorAdvisedFund.It
hasbeensuchablessingtobeabletosayyeswhenpeople
askustohelpoutdifferentcharities.IjustgototheDonor
CentralWebsiteandmakearequestandrestintheassurance
thatthecheckwillbedeliveredtimelyandaccurately.Ithas
reallysimplifiedourlifeattaxtimetoo.Nomorehavingtogo
throughthecheckbookandfindeverycheck.Itallcomesin
one statement.
I want to encourage everyone to open a Donor Advised
Fund.Startoutwithasmallamountandincreaseiteveryyear.
Wehavetrulybecomejoyfulgivers.IhopetheDonorAdvised
FundwillbeasrichablessingtoyouandithasbeentoTerre
and me.
Opposite page: Orma and Terre Smith
16 Donor Advised Funds
together. we give back.
Donor Advised Funds 17
together. we enrich lives.
18 Organization Endowments
The Lee County Library wasestablishedonSeptember
2,1941.Thecurrentfacilityof38,500squarefeetprovidesmaterials
suitableforthegeneralpublicinadult,youngadult,andchildren’s
departments.Thelibraryalsohousesagenealogyandlocalhistory
collection,aswellasameetingroomforpublicuse.TheLibrary
obtaineditsfirstbookmobilein1942,whichprovidedmuch-needed
readingmaterialtoruralareasandtoschool-agedchildren.The
Bookmobilecontinuestovisitearlyliteracycenters,primaryand
elementaryschools,andprovidesaccesstocommunitiesthroughout
Lee County.
Theyear2016marksahistoricmilestoneinthehistoryofTupelo
andLeeCounty–itisthe75thanniversaryoftheLeeCountyLibrary.
The Berry Endowment
TheBerryEndowmentwasestablishedinDecember1986witha
giftfromDr.C.K.AventandRobertW.AventinmemoryofEmily
W.Berry,JuliusG.BerryandManieL.Berry.Incomefromthe
Endowmentisusedtosupportauthorizededucationalactivitiessuch
asworkshops,seminars,andlecturestobegivenattheLeeCounty
Library.
Walker-McGill Endowment
TheWalkerMcGillEndowmentwasestablishedbybequestofJohn
“Jack”DonaldMcGill,Jr.andFrancesWalkerMcGill.Incomefrom
theEndowmentisusedtopurchasegenealogicalbooks,records,
materials,andequipmentforuseintheGenealogicalSectionofthe
Lee County Library.
Helen Foster Endowment
TheHelenFosterEndowmentwasestablishedbybequestofMrs.
HelenEavesFoster.IncomefromtheEndowmentisusedtopurchase
equipmentfortheHelenFosterRoom,andforprovidinglectures,
music,andsimilarculturalprogramstothecitizensofLeeCountyat
theLeeCountyLibrary.Formorethan40yearsthecitizensofLee
Countyhaveenjoyedavariedandrenownedsetofspeakersduring
HelenFosterLecturesattheLeeCountyLibrary.
Lee County Library Endowment
TheLeeCountyLibraryEndowmentwasestablishedinJuly
1989.InitialfundingoftheEndowmentwasprovidedbymany
ofLeeCounty’sleadingcitizensthroughtheLeeCountyLibrary
DevelopmentCampaignandfromabequestofJohn“Jack”Donald
McGill,Jr.andFrancesWalkerMcGill.Theincomefromthe
Endowmentprovidesfundingforspecial,innovativelibraryprograms
andservicesoverandabovethosenormallyprovidedbythelibrary;for
thepurchaseofspecialbooksandotherlibrarymaterialsnotcovered
bynormallibraryoperatingbudgets;forthepurchaseofparticularly
neededmaterialsandequipmentnotcoveredbynormallibrary
operatingbudgets;andtoprovideeducationalassistancetolibrary
employeesseekingtoimprovetheirjobskills.
Opposite page: The Lee County
Library draws a crowd for their
Tupelo Reads event. Photo by Adam
Robison / Daily Journal. Left, Tom
Franklin and Beth Fennelly introduce
their book “The Tilted World” at
Tupelo Reads. Photo by Thomas
Wells / Daily Journal.
CREATE’s organization
endowments support
a specific non-profit
organization and may
be established by the
organization or by a donor.
An endowment fund allows an
organization to use a portion
of the investment proceeds
from the fund while keeping
the principle intact.
Organization Endowment
Spotlight:
Lee County
Library
Organization Endowment Funds
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NEW ALBANY
FORTNIGHTLY MUSICALE AGENCY
ANTONE TANNEHILL GOOD SAMARITAN FREE
CLINIC
GUMTREE MUSEUM OF ART
JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF TUPELO
LA-MS-WEST TN KIWANIS FOUNDATION
LEE COUNTY LIBRARY
LEE COUNTY LIBRARY (BERRY)
LEE COUNTY LIBRARY (HELEN FOSTER)
LEE COUNTY LIBRARY (WALKER-MCGILL)
NEW BEGINNINGS AGENCY
NEWMS
NORTH MS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
OXFORD/LAFAYETTE HUMANE SOCIETY
REGIONAL REHABILITATION
SANCTUARY HOSPICE HOUSE
STARKVILLE KIWANIS CLUB
TUPELO COMMUNITY THEATRE
TUPELO/LEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
UNION COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM
UNITED WAY
UNITED WAY OF OXFORD-LAFAYETTE COUNTY
WESTON REED SCHOLARSHIP
WILDROSE DIABETIC ALERT DOG
YOKNAPATAWPHA ARTS COUNCIL AGENCY
Organization Endowments 19
CREATE’s special project funds allow
community groups to carry out their
charitable services while waiting for IRS
designation as a 501(c)3. CREATE serves as
fiscal agent for the special project allowing
the group to operate as a non-profit under
the auspices of the foundation.
Special Project Fund Spotlight:
Fulton Community
Volunteers
TheFultonCommunityVolunteers isahandson,roll
upyoursleevesteamandalsoservesasanorganizationalgrouptobringin
othergroupswillingtodocommunityservicework.
20 Special Project Funds
Active Volunteer Groups
All the Kings Men Community Organization
Anchor Club
The Baptist Brotherhood
Boy Scouts
City of Fulton Street Department
City of Fulton Water and Gas Department
The Criminal Justice Society
Edelweiss Garden Club
F. L. Crane and Sons Specialty Contractors
Fulton Methodist Church Youth Girl Scouts
Itawamba Agricultural High School Honors
Career Technical Education
Itawamba Agricultural High School
Football Team
Itawamba Community College Community
Relations Department
Itawamba Community College Football Team
Itawamba Community College Forestry Club
Itawamba Community College Jazz Band
Itawamba County Sheriff ’s Department Youth
Offenders Program
Itawamba County Sheriff ’s Department Work
Release Program
Itawamba County Young Republicans
Itawamba Historical Society
Trinity Baptist Church Youth
The Red Hat Society
“
We have found volunteering to be contagious; once others see the
change in the community with just a little cooperation, they all want to
be a part of the process and pitch in to help.”
Fulton Community Volunteers
together. we are the resource.
Special Project Funds 21
special project funds
A WAY OUT (FULTON)
AMERICAN LEGION POST 49 CAPITAL
CAMPAIGN
AMORY COMMUNITY EVENTS (ACE)
ANSWERS FOR AGGIE
ANTONE TANNEHILL GOOD SAMARITAN
HEALTH SERVICES (FREE CLINIC)
APRILS ANGELS
ASSOCIATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN
EDUCATION
BABY STEPS IMAGINATION LIBRARY
BILL RASPBERRY’S BABY STEPS
BOERNER BE WILD
BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY
CALEDONIA BAND
CENTURY 21 BALANCE
CHANGE AMORY
CIVIC BALLET
COKE 10K KIDS GET FIT INITIATIVE (CARE)
COLUMBUS AFB SIGN
COLUMBUS AFB STATIC DISPLAY
COLUMBUS CHORAL SOCIETY
COLUMBUS POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI
COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF ALCORN
COUNTY
COMMITTEE FOR KING
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
CORINTH BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM (CARE)
CORINTH SCHOOL DISTRICT FOUNDATION
CORINTH SIDEWALK REPAIR (CARE)
COTESWORTH CULTURE AND HERITAGE
CENTER
COTESWORTH PROPERTY
CREELY MUSEUM
DANCING WITH THE KING DANCE EVENT
DISTRICT 6 LEADERSHIP CAMP
DONIPHAN DANCE PROJECT
EASOM OUTREACH FOUNDATION
ECEC ARTS INTEGRATION
ED GOODMAN MEMORIAL
ELVIS PRESLEY FOUNDATION
EXCEL BY 5 LEE COUNTY
EXPECT
FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN RETREAT, INC.
FIREWORKS ON THE WATER
FOR KIDS SAKE
FRIENDS OF MUSIC BEND NATURE TRAIL
FULTON COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
FULTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
FULTON PARKS
GRILLING ON THE RIVER
HELPING HANDS OF UNION COUNTY (UNITE)
HHS MEMORIAL PLAZA (PACE)
HOPE UNBRIDLED EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM
HUGHES SHELTER
ITAWAMBA COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER
ITAWAMBA COUNTY SHERIFF
ITAWAMBA CROSSROADS RANCH
ITAWAMBA LEARNING CENTER
JOHN PAUL FRERER BICYCLE SAFETY
KIDNEY HEAD
KIDS WITH CHARACTER
KIWANIS HOTBED CLASSIC
KRISTEN MINGA FOUNDATION FOR TEEN
CHALLENGE
LEADERSHIP UNION COUNTY
LEE COUNTY LIBRARY FOUNDATION
LKT HYDROCEPHALUS MIRACLE
LOWNDES YOUNG LEADERS
22 Special Projects Funds
MAIN STREET COLUMBUS
MANTACHIE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
MAYOR’S TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION
TUPELO READS
MCLEAN BIOGRAPHY
MILL VILLAGE HISTORIC REVITALIZATION
RENOVATION
MISSISSIPPI ANGELS PAGEANT
MISSISSIPPI HILLS DEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATION
MLK CITY OF TUPELO RECEPTION
MOMMIE ME TIME NETWORK
MS AVIATION MUSEUM AND LEARNING
CENTER
MS FILM ALLIANCE
MY BOOK OF LOWNDES COUNTY
NE MS BIRTHING HEALTHCONNECT ONE
NE MS COMMUNITY RECOVERY
NEWMS - WOMEN’S BUSINESS
NEWMS FAIRY GODMOTHER
NEWMS GENERAL
NEWMS LUNCHEON
NEWMS SUCCESS SKILLS/TEEN SS
SCHOLARSHIP
NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI CHERRY BLOSSOM
FESTIVAL
NORTHEAST MS BIRTHING
NORTHEAST MS CHARITABLE
NORTHEAST MS DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
OKOLONA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
CHARITIES
OXFORD CITY MARKET
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE ARTS GUILD
PAL EZELLE MEMORIAL
PARKWAY ELEMENTARY PTO
PEDIATRIC SURGERY BOOK
PLAYGROUND OF DREAMS
POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE
PRESERVING FULTON HISTORY
R.J. WILEMON MINISTERIAL ASSISTANCE
REBEL VENTURE CAPITAL
RED HILL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ASSOCIATION
ROTARY VETERANS PARK CLOCK
SALTILLO WOMEN’S CLUB
SALUTE LOWNDES COUNTY FINEST
SAVING TUPELO’S FIRST PARK (NAT’L FISH
HATCHERY)
SHANNON COMMUNITY/ SCHOOLS
IMPROVEMENT
SMILE INITIATIVE
SNUGGLE BUDDY
STARKVILLE BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY
STOP THE HURT
SUMMER S.A.L.T.
TALBOT HOUSE, INC.
TALLAHATCHIE ARTS COUNCIL
TAMMY WYNETTE LEGACY PARK
TEAM 36
TEAM TUPELO/RESIDENT LEADERSHIP
COMMITTEE
THE FELLOWSHIP
THE MESSIAH
THE PEOPLES BANK CHARITIES’
THE WINDOWS INITIATIVE
THS ACTIVITY AND COMMUNITY FIELD
TOM TIMMS MEMORIAL
TPD ADVANCED TRAINING AND NMLETC
TUPELO AQUATIC CENTER MEMORIAL AND
HONORARIUM
TUPELO ELVIS FAN CLUB
TUPELO FILM FESTIVAL SOCIETY
TUPELO POLICE DEPARTMENT COPS AND KIDS
TUPELO POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE DIV I
TUPELO POLICE DEPARTMENT RESOURCE
OFFICER/DARE
TUPELO POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC
SAFETY
TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TUPELO VISION - GOODNIGHT MOON
TUPELO VISION - MS HEALTHIEST CITY
TUPELO VISION - NEIGHBORHOOD TASK
FORCE
TYLER SLOAN MEMORIAL
VETERAN’S PARK MEMORIAL JET
VIETNAM REPLICA WALL
WE CARE FOR KIDS SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
WESTON REED FOUNDATION
WILDROSE DIABETIC ALERT DOG
WINGS OVER COLUMBUS
WIVES OF WARRIORS
scholarship funds
ALLIENE GIBENS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
AMORY ROTARY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
AMORY ROTARY HOLACE MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
AMORY ROTARY LEE MCCOWN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
BOB AND MARILYN MONROE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
BOBBYE FRANKS JONES SCHOLARSHIP
BYRNE-FIELD (BUSH) SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
CASEY SPRADLING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
CHRIS WALL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
CLAUDIA RUTH CASTENIR SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
CLAY WAYCASTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
COACH JIMBO BYARS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
COACH JOE BRIGANCE SCHOLARSHIP
DARREN FENTON NAYC SCHOLARSHIP
DAVID SKINNER SCHOLARSHIP
DENNIS BAILEY & MAXINE MONTS CAMERON MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP
DOUGHERTY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
DR. AND MRS. WALTER BOURLAND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
DR. MARSHALL HOLLIS FAMILY HEALTH CARE SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
DR. MARSHALL HOLLIS FAMILY SCOUTING SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
ELGAR AND LUENE WAYCASTER MINISTERIAL SCHOLARSHIP
ELISE MOBLEY SCHOLARSHIP (PACE)
EMILY MCDONALD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
EMILY WRIGHT HORNE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
ERNEST CADDEN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
EVA ANN BEASLEY DORRIS SCHOLARSHIP
EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS SCHOLARSHIP
FRANCES MALLORY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT (Calhoun)
FUTURE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA (Rutledge) SCHOLARSHIP
GALE STAUFFER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
GEORGE H. SCHULTZ SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
GEORGE MAYNARD CLASS TUTORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
FUMC-TUPELO
J.C. MCDANIEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
J.T. NEELY SCHOLARSHIP
JAKE MAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
JAMES AND JEANETTE HALL SCHOLARSHIP
JEFFREY HINES HOPPER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
JIM CRAIG ENDOWMENT
JOHN N. TODD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
JOHN PAUL FRERER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
JORDAN LINDSEY CHRISTIAN CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
JULIA BLAKEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP (LINK CULINARY ARTS)
JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF TUPELO SCHOLARSHIP
JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF WEST POINT/MATT POSEY MEMORIAL
SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
KAROL JEAN VOGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
KAYLA SUE MIZE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
KELLEY ELIZABETH HUMPHREYS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
KIM GREEN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
LARRY BROWN CREATIVE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
(GOCF)
LEE WESTON REED SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND
LISA MITCHELL GREEN AND GROWING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
M & F BANK - JIM AND NANCY INGRAM SCHOLARSHIP
M. GLEN AND LORA H. DAVIDSON SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
MARGARET BYRAM SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
MARIE PICKENS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
MARSHUAN BRAXTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
MCCARTY COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP
MCLAUGHLIN HARRISON FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
MISSISSIPPI FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
MR. AND MRS. B.L. RIEVES SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
MR. AND MRS. TOM ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP
MS THEATRE ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
NELLIE MORGAN BALLARD SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
NEWMS GENERAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
ORMA SMITH JR. SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
OWEN B. WHITEHURST SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
PAL SCHOLARSHIP
PAT “ROBIN” DOWS ENDOWMENT
PEBBLES EAST AULDS SCHOLARSHIP
PHILLIP NEAL JONES SCHOLARSHIP
PRESLY WALLACE, JR SOCCER SCHOLARSHIP
RAY AND SHEILA HUTCHESON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
ROBBY HALE “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
ROTARY CLUB OF OXFORD EDWIN MOAK SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWMENT
ROWLAND JOYNER LEARNING SKILLS ENDOWMENT
RUSSELL VEE PALMER DORMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND
RYAN PETTIT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
SHOCKWAVE SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE
SIMPSON VICKERY SCHOLARSHIP
STUBBS CHARITABLE TRUST SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
TAYLOR MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT (UNITE)
TERRY MANN SCHOLARSHIP
THE MARY KIRKPATRICK HASKELL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
TIMMY BRYANT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
TODD HARDIN MEMORIAL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP (PACE)
TONY LAUNIUS SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP
TUPELO LADIES CIVITAN SCHOLARSHIP
TUPELO LUNCHEON CIVITAN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
TYLER SLOAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
VALERIA MORGAN WHITFIELD SCHOLARSHIP
WHITESIDE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
WINIFRED AND MAYFIELD RILEY TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Funds 23
together. we leave a legacy.
24 Scholarship Funds
CREATE’s scholarship funds provide a way to honor and memorialize loved ones
while giving deserving students the opportunity to further their education. Funds
may be designated for a particular field of study, or a specific county, school, or
area. CREATE has more than 90 scholarship funds. Anyone who is interested in
establishing a scholarship fund or would like to make a donation to a fund, please
contact the CREATE Foundation at (662) 844-8989.
Scholarship Fund Spotlight:
Taylor Moore (1970-2000)
“
After the passing of our son, Taylor, in May of 2000, my wife and I wanted to carry on his legacy and
memory. We decided an annual scholarship award at New Albany High School would be a way to
accomplish our desire as well as financially aiding a deserving graduate to continue his or her education
at a Mississippi college or university. We were encouraged to contact CREATE Foundation and meet
with Mike Clayborne about our interest in establishing a scholarship fund. Mike and his staff were so
very helpful and understanding of our desire and after several meetings, the “Taylor Moore Memorial
Scholarship Endowment Fund” was established at the end of 2003. Minerva and I could not be more
pleased with how the CREATE staff aided us in the setup and administering of this scholarship fund which
will continue for the future.”
Bobby and Minerva Moore
New Albany, Mississippi
TaylorwasbornJune5,1970,inMobile,
Alabama, the son of Bobby and Minerva Moore. His
father,Bobby,wasfromOkolona,Mississippi,andhis
mother, the former Linda Minerva Young, grew up in Lena,
Mississippi.TaylorlatermovedtoNewAlbany,Mississippi,
andthentoRockyMount,NorthCarolina,withhisparents
and brother, Brandon, when his dad was transferred due to
businessrelocation.In1977whenTaylorwasseven,thefamily
movedbacktoNewAlbanywhereTaylorstartedsecondgrade
atFordElementarySchool.
Taylorexcelledinschoolandparticipatedinnumerous
activities.HewasanhonorstudentatNewAlbanyMiddle
Schoolandreceivedmanyacademicawards.Hewasinvolved
instudentgovernment,playedLittleLeagueBaseballthrough
theNewAlbanyParkCommission,andwasvotedMr.New
AlbanyMiddleSchoolbyhisclassmates.Taylorplayed
footballfromseventhgradethroughninthgrade,butbaseball
was his true passion.
Asa1988HonorGraduateofNewAlbanyHighSchool
(formerlyW.P.DanielHighSchool),Taylorwasrecognized
formanyoutstandingachievements.Hisaccomplishments
includedattendingBoysStatehisjunioryear,beinginducted
intotheNationalHonorSociety,andbeingchosenas
Who’sWhoAmongAmericanHighSchoolStudents.He
alsoreceivedawardsineconomics,worldhistory,English,
math,computerapplications,andnumerousotherhonors.
Inadditiontohisacademicsuccesses,Taylorpossesseda
wonderfulspirit.HewasvotedMr.NewAlbanyHighSchool,
MostPopular,MostDignified,andClassFavorite.He
excelledatthesportofbaseballduringhishighschoolyears
andletteredallfouryearsplayingthepositionoffirstbase.
TaylorattendedMississippiStateUniversity,firstreceiving
hisbachelor’sdegreeinbusinessadministrationandlater
earninghisMBA.AftercollegeTaylorworkedforBenchcraft
FurnitureintheSalesandMerchandisingDepartment.
Taylor’shobbiesincludedhisloveofMississippiStatesports
andplayinggolf.InNewAlbany,hewasanactivememberof
First Baptist Church. After marrying, he and his wife attended
FirstBaptistChurchinTupelo.
Taylor’searlydeathwastheresultofatragicaccident
inFebruary1999thatcausedaheadinjuryandultimately
bleedingtothebrain.Thebraindamagewassoseverethat
Taylorlivedonlyfifteenmonthsaftertheaccident,spending
themajorityofthattimeinhospitalsandrehabilitation
centers.AtthetimeofhisdeathonMay19,2000,Taylorwas
marriedtotheformerMichelleMcDanielofNewAlbany.
Theyhadason,PrestonTaylorbornonMay6,1999;andhe
hadastepson,LangstonPaepke.Throughtheestablishment
oftheTaylorMooreMemorialScholarshipEndowment,
BobbyandMinervahopetohonorthememoryoftheirmuchlovedsonwhileprovidingfinancialsupporttoadeserving
college-boundstudentfromNewAlbanyHighSchool.
Scholarship Funds 25
The Henry Mize
Foundation
The Henry Mize Foundation
Establishedin2003theHenryMize
Foundation provides support for the
charitableorganizationsthatMr.Mize
loved.Severalworthyorganizations
receivedsupportthisyearincluding
Mississippi State University Mize
Pavillion,amulti-purposefacilitythat
featuresabasketballpracticecourt
andabundantofficespace;LeeCounty
Library;NorthMississippiSymphony
Orchestra;CommunityDevelopment
Foundation;andNortheastDevelopment
Foundation.The2015HenryMize
Foundation grant disbursements were
$195,044,makingthetotalinvestmentto
ourregionnearly$4.1million.
Mize Foundation Grant
disbursement in 2015:
Lee County Library
Mississippi State University Mize
Pavilion
North MS Symphony Orchestra
CDF
Northeast Development
Foundation
Above: Mize Pavilion at Humphrey Coliseum. Photos courtesy of MSU Athletics; Right: Buzzy and Henry Mize.
26 Supporting Organizations
The Benjamin and Corinne
Pierce Foundation
Pierce Foundation gave grants
to the following in 2015:
The Benjamin and Corinne Pierce Foundation
ThePierceFoundationwasestablishedin2001byCorinnePierceinmemory
ofherhusbandBenjamintocommemoratehiscommitmenttocommunityand
tohonorhiscivicleadership.The2015Piercegrantsandscholarshipsexceeded
$261,000,makingthetotalinvestmentbythePierceFoundationinAlcorn
Countymorethan$4.5million.
Corinne Pierce
1930-2015
CorinneWillifordPiercewasborn
inCleveland,Mississippi,onJuly27,
1930,anddiedonSeptember9,2015,
in her Corinth, Mississippi, home. She
playedcompetitivebasketballinhigh
school,graduatedfromMississippiState
CollegeforWomen,andwentonto
becomeaphysicaleducationteacher.
CorinnemarriedBenjaminPiercein1961.
BenjaminPierce,Sr.servedasaMarine
inthePacificduringWorldWarII,and
wentontobecomePresidentofTyrone
Hydraulics,whichemployedover700
peopleinCorinth.Thecouplehadtwo
children,BenjaminandMary,andCorinne
The Alliance
Boys & Girls Club of Northeast MS
Corinth Unit
C.A.R.E.
Community College Scholarship
Corinth Area Arts Council
Corinth Symphony Orchestra
Corinth Theatre-Arts
CREATE Foundation
Crossroads Museum
Crosswind
L.I.N.K.
Lighthouse Foundation of Corinth
Living Free Ministries
Main Street Corinth
NE MS Business Incubation System
American Red Cross
Pierce Senior College Scholarship
Sharing Hearts
United Way of Corinth and Alcorn Co.
Carl Small Town Center
Living Healthy Free Cinic
wasalovingmotherwhomanagedthe
householdandwasactivelyinvolvedin
numerouseffortsofcivicandcommunity
benefit.Shebecameassistantcoachof
theCorinthHighSchooltennisteamthat
won14statechampionships.Corinnewas
veryinvolvedintheCorinthTheatreArts
both as an actress and behind the scenes.
ShewontheMagnoliaAwardforbest
actressmultipletimes.Several
years ago, the City of Corinth surprised
Corinne with a Citizen of the Year award.
ThecouplestartedtheBenandCorinne
PierceCharitableFoundationtobenefit
deservingcausesandpeopleinNortheast
Mississippi. She was passionate about
fishingandlovedteachingherfamilyto
fish.Shealsolovedspendingtimeather
beautifulfarminthecountry.
Supporting Organizations 27
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
The commitment of Toyota to establish
a $50 million endowment over ten years
at the CREATE Foundation is the most
extraordinary gift to support public
education in the history of our state. Over
the past four years, CREATE, through the
recommendation of the Toyota Wellspring
Advisory Committee, used the proceeds
from the endowment to enhance education
in Lee, Pontotoc and Union counties.
Toyota Wellspring
Education Fund Advisory
Committee:
ReggieCollums
Pontotoc,Mississippi
David Copenhaver
Tupelo,Mississippi
Mike Staten
BNA Bank
NewAlbany,Mississippi
Ex-Officio Members
Committee Advisors
GregPirkle
Partner,PhelpsDunbar,LLP
Tupelo,Mississippi
Dr. Larry Anderson
Founder/Director
NationalCenterfor
TechnologyPlanning
Tupelo,Mississippi
Jean Massey
Associate State
Superintendent of Education
Jackson, Mississippi
Sean Suggs
VicePresident
Toyota Motor Manufacturing MS, Inc.
BlueSprings,Mississippi
28 Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
MikeClayborne
President,CREATE
Tupelo,Mississippi
Dr. Chuck Garrett
Senior Education
Consultant
NewAlbany,Mississippi
ToyotaWellspring
grants have supported:
• professional development
opportunities for educators and
administrators
• curriculum audits that resulted in the
development of curriculum tool kits
to assist teachers for all eight school
districts
• laying the foundation for the
Wellspring Center for Professional
Futures, a high-school level advanced
career center
• providing $1 million in grants that
were used primarily for improving
technology and its necessary
infrastructure, and enhancing early
childhood education to the eight
school districts
• Travel and registration costs for teams
from each of the eight school
districts to attend national
conferences
• dual-enrollment courses in web app
development, healthcare careers,
aviation, and advanced manufacturing
• tuition for summer academic camps at
MSU and Ole Miss and advanced
manufacturing camps at NEMCC and
ICC
• linking education to careers through
an initiative that included hiring a
national consulting firm to conduct
interviews and provide guidance to
a committee of educators and business
leaders to determine how to better
prepare students for careers
• the establishment of a permanent
committee of educators and business
leaders to help develop systemic
changes to link education to careers in
kindergarten through grade 12
• major career expo held in the fall of
2015
• funding Teacher of the Year awards in
all eight districts
Left: Students build their own websites at Imagine
the Possibilities Career Expo 2015. Opposite page:
Volunteers hand out hardhats, student bags, and
brochures at the 2015 Imagine the Possibilities
Career Expo; Sean Suggs, Vice President, Toyota
Motor Manufacturing MS, Inc. speaks at CREATE’s
2015 Annual meeting.
together. we educate communities.
Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo
TheToyotaWellspringEducationFundatCREATEFoundationwastheleadsponsorof
amajorcareerexpoonOctober6-7,2015,atBancorpSouthArenainTupelo.Theexpois
designedtoprovideabetterunderstandingoftheopportunitiesavailableaftergraduationto
over3,000eighth-gradestudents.
“ImaginethePossibilities”featuredactivitiesconnectedto18careerpathways.These
pathwaysincludeAerospace;Agriculture,Food&NaturalResources;Architecture&
Construction;Arts,A/VTechnology&Communications;BusinessManagement&
Administration;Education&Training;Energy;Engineering;Finance;Government&Public
Administration;HealthScience;Hospitality&Tourism;HumanServices;Information
Technology;Law,PublicSafety,Corrections&Security;Manufacturing;Marketing;and
Transportation,Distribution&Logistics.Theexpowasopentopublicschoolstudents
locatedinLee,Pontotoc,Union,Chickasaw,Itawamba,MonroeandPrentisscounties.
“ImaginethePossibilities”formedcommunitypartnershipswithlocalbusinessesto
addressthecommunitychallengesofinspiringandmotivatingstudentstopursuecareer
goals.Educationandworkforcedevelopmentprofessionalsmustworktogetherinorderto
ensureapromisingfutureforallstudents.ThisissueisnotuniquetoNortheastMississippi,
oreventoourstate.Studentseverywhereneedtoknowwhatjobsarecurrentlyavailable,
thenecessarytrainingandeducationrequired,andthepotentialpayscale.Careerawareness
shouldstartatanearlyageandshouldinvolvetheentirecommunity.
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund 29
John and Frances Marchbanks
Endowment Fund
John and Frances Marchbanks believed in giving back to their community. John,
a native of Shannon, Mississippi, maintained a deep love for the area where he
grew up, even though he had not lived there for more than 60 years. He and his
wife Frances desired to help others overcome their problems, misfortunes and
handicaps, and to assist them in helping themselves to achieve better lives and
become productive citizens. In 2005, the Marchbanks left a gift of $8.7 million to
benefit the region.
A$50,000grantfromtheJohnand
Frances Marchbanks Endowment Fund
wasawardedtosupportapilotprogramfortheexpansion
ofthetransitionalhousingprogramofTheSalvationArmy
–TupeloCorps.Thegrantfundswereusedtorenovate,
equip,andpaytheutilitiesforoneyearforfiveapartments
ownedbytheCREATEFoundation.Additionally,these
apartmentswillprovidetheabilitytohousefamiliesfor
longerperiodsoftime,whichwillallowtheSalvation
Armytoprovidemorecomprehensiveservicesincluding
financialliteracy,educationalskills,andself-improvement
instruction.Thetransitionalhousingclientlengthof
staywillbedividedin90-dayincrementswithspecific,
measurable,andachievablegoalstobeevaluatedduring
eachperiod.Successfulcompletionofeach90-daysegment
wouldberequiredtoremainintheprogramuntilthefinal
goalofcompleteindependenceisachievedandclients
move into their own home or apartment. The expectation
iseachclientwillreachindependentstatusinsixtonine
months.ASalvationArmyemployeewillprovideon-site
supervisionandsupportofclientprogress.
John and Frances Marchbanks
HelpingHandScholarship was awarded to
threestudentsatShannonHighSchool.Awardrecipients
wererequiredtobeahighschoolsenioringoodstanding
witha3.0gradepointaverageorhigher,atleasta15onthe
ACTandtwolettersofrecommendation.Eachreceiveda
$5,000scholarship.
Above: Grace Clark with scholarship recipients Taylor Smith,
Alyssa Kelly and Emily Mask (pictured: left to right).
Above: Major Linda Daniel, Major Jeff Daniel and Mike
Clayborne (pictured: left to right).
Frances Marchbanks
30 Marchbanks Endowment Fund
John Marchbanks
together. we help others.
Marchbanks Endowment Fund 31
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
is given to honor those individuals,
families, and corporations that
exemplify CREATE Founders George
and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in
charitable giving. It recognizes the
extraordinary leadership of people
and organizations working to improve
the quality of life in our community
and our region. This year’s award
was presented to a bottling beverage
company from Starkville and an
exceptional couple from New York
City.
McLean Award Winner:
Michael and Julie Waldorf
Michael and Julie Waldorf
FortheirservicetoItawambaCounty,MichaelandJulie
WaldorfreceivedtheawardforsupportingthePlaygarden
ParkinFultonanddonatingtechnologyandvehiclestothe
ItawambaCountySheriff ’sDepartment.
Playgarden Park
PlaygardenParkiscourtesyofa$1.7milliongrantprovided
byMichaelWaldorfandhiswife,FultonnativeJulieGrimes
Waldorf.Theenclosedparkfeaturesmultiplepavilionareas,
twoenclosedplaygroundareas,anopenlawn,largefountain
anddenselandscaping.TheWaldorfssaidtheywerelooking
forwaystocontributetothearea,andanewparkseemedlike
anaturalfit.“Oncewedecidedtobuildahomedownhere,
32 McLean Awards
westartedtakingalookatFultonintermsofwhatithasand
whatitneeds,”MichaelWaldorfexplained.“Inouropinion,
ItawambaCountyneededmoreplacesforchildrentojustgo
outandplay…Wejustthoughtthereoughttobemore.”
Itawamba County Sheriff ’s Department
TheWaldorfspresentedtheItawambaCountySheriff ’s
Departmentwithtwo2015FordExplorervehicleswithall
equipmentneededforpoliceduties.Thecouplealsofunded
thepurchaseoftwoK-9policedogswithtrainingexpenses
included,tacticalbodyarmorfortheSWATteam,desktop
andlaptopcomputersanddigitalcamerasforinvestigators,
GPSunitsforpatrolvehicles,Motorolaradioequipmentand
tuitionandtrainingexpensesforofficers.
McLean Award Winner:
C.C. Clark and Company
C.C. Clark and Company
DrPepperCompany,MillerCoors,MinuteMaidJuices,Evian
C.C.ClarkandCompanydonatedfundstoseveralinstitutions Water,Pabst,Stroh,HeinekenUSAandvariousotherimports
and domestic beer.
inStarkville,includingPalmerHomeforChildren,Starkville
ItmaintainssalesandwarehousefacilitiesinCleveland,New
ParksandRecreation,StarkvillePoliceDepartment,Volunteer
Albany,SouthavenandStarkville,Mississippi.
Starkville,HabitatforHumanityandAmericanRedCross.
ClarkBeverageGroup,Inc.(MississippiDivision)isa
MississippicorporationandiswhollyownedbyC.C.Clark,Inc.
ThiscorporationhasfranchiseswiththeCoca-CocaCompany,
“
“I can do something where I am and light a candle, rather
than curse the darkness.”
George A. McLean
CREATE Founder
George and Anna Keirsey McLean
CREATE Founder George McLean
believed that by joining together,
communities could cultivate leaders
who would make a difference for
us all. Whether through supporting
early childhood education, granting
scholarships, developing leadership
training programs, or enhancing college
and career readiness, promoting
leadership in communities is key to the
long-term success of a region.
George McLean served as a great
example of what exceptional leadership
can accomplish. He believed that each
of us has the responsibility to help raise
the level of all people in our communities.
His vision for a vibrant and growing
Northeast Mississippi would not have
happened without his persistent, tireless
leadership.
McLean Awards 33
Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation
The Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation (NEMYF), established by CREATE in
2001, is driven by its desire to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Eleventh and twelfth-graders from Northeast Mississippi are nominated and
elected by the current NEMYF board. These students learn about philanthropy
and making a difference in their communities while raising money for their
endowment. At the April press conference, students present grant awards to nonprofit agencies that primarily serve children and youth. The NEMYF endowment
has exceeded the $100,000 mark with nearly $34,000 in grants given back to
Northeast Mississippi communities.
NEMYF Board Members:
Kennedy Akin
AbigailAlford
SavannahAlley
CallaghanBasil,treasurer
Liza Boyer
WilliamBradford
KaitlinBrannan
BethBrinkley
Anna Maire Bruno
McKenzie Buckner
Frances Caskey
DillonClayton
Jacob Derrick
MakaelaDickerson
Kateri Fetter
Ethan Foster
Sydney Franks
ChelsieGray
Locke Hester
Sarah Hoing
AveryClairJones
Nikki Lane
McKenzie Lane
Trinity Lassiter
Dawson McCord, assistant treasurer
FaithMcDonald
Meredith McLaurin, historian
MadisonMitchell,chair
EmilyMorphis
Reagon Newton, assistant secretary
GabrielaNieto-Hale
AnnaNolley
VirginiaParkinson
StephanieParsons
CarmenPerkins
LukePrice
Jason Rakestraw, secretary
Andrew Ray
Dakin Reed
KallieRoberts,assistant historian
Reed Sanders
RachelShumaker
Brandi Smith
AlexSpringer
RoxieWaltmon
TaylorWard
AllieWard
Megan Warren
Sarah Jordan Watkins
CarolineWigington,assistant chair
ClaireShou
34 Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation
2015 Grants
Alcorn County:OasisMedicalCenter
Chickasaw County:HoustonFreeMedicalClinic
Clay County:SallyKateWinter’sFamilyResources
Lafayette County:LiteracyCouncil
Lee County: Kidney Head
Monroe County:AberdeenLoavesandFishesFoodPantry
Pontotoc County: FoodPantry
Tippah County: Together for Tippah
Union County: First Choice
together. we grow.
Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation 35
Endowment Funds allow donors to provide a
secure, stable and permanent stream of income
to support designated areas of interest. Donors
are assured that funds will be provided to the
causes they support now and in the future
through interest income from the endowment,
with the principle remaining untouched.
Left to right: SOAR Teachers of Distinction: Ginger Tedder,
Vicky Warren and Andrew Lark.
Teachers of Distinction is an award
programestablishedbyCREATE’sInnovationsin
Education Fund to honor and recognize outstanding
teachers.TheAssociationforExcellencein
Education(AEE)co-sponsorstheawardswith
theCREATEFoundation.Variousorganizations
partner with AEE and CREATE to support the
Tupeloprogram.Thisyearwasthefirstyearthe
Starkville/OktibbehaAchievingResultsCommunity
FoundationsponsoredandpresentedStarkville/
Oktibbeha Teacher of Distinction Awards. The
purpose of the award is to recognize, reward,
and support teachers of distinction of grades
kindergartenthroughtwelfthgradeintheStarkville
andOktibbehapublic,private,andparochialschools.
Left to right: North Tippah
Teachers of Distinction: Susie
Hopper, Jenna Mauney, Whitney
Wooten
Left to right: South Tippah
Teachers of Distinction: Marie
Hamilton, Martha Brannan,
Brent Grisham
Endowment Funds
AGAPE HEALTH SERVICES ENDOWMENT FUND
ALBERT HORN AND FAHOMA CRUMBY HORN ENDOWMENT
ALICE LITTLE ENDOWMENT FUND
ALICE LYNN ROEBUCK ENDOWMENT FOR UNITED WAY
AMERICAN LEGION POST 49 ENDOWMENT FUND
ARLAND A. AND GRACE DIRLAM ENDOWMENT FUND
BENJAMIN AND CORINNE PIERCE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND
BETH MCAULEY MUSIC ENDOWMENT FUND
BOOTH FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS - OXFORD FACILITY FUND ENDOWMENT FUND
BROTHER MIKE MARECLE ENDOWMENT FUND
BRYAN YOUTH CENTER ENDOWMENT FUND
CALHOUN COUNTY ENDOWMENT FUND
CAROLINE BRYAN HARRELL EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND
CDF/ LEHMAN LEADERSHIP FUND
COCA-COLA LEGACY FOUNDATION
DOORS OF HOPE TRANSITION MINISTRIES ENDOWMENT FUND
DUDLEY WEATHERS ENDOWMENT FUND
ED AND BECKY MEEK ENDOWMENT FUND
ELAINE DUNDY AND ROY TURNER ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS
EVERGREEN DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT FUND
FOX FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND
HARRY AND ELLEN WALKER ENDOWMENT FUND
HARRY LEE WILLIAMS, SR. ENDOWMENT FUND (CARE)
INGOMAR ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE
INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND
INTERFAITH COMPASSION MINISTRY ENDOWMENT FUND
JACK AND FRANCES REED ENDOWMENT FUND
JAMES HUGH RAY MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND
JOHN AND JANET MATTHEWS ENDOWMENT FUND
JOHN ROBERT ARNOLD ENDOWMENT FUND
JOHNNY MORGAN FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND
JOYNER FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
KENNETH AND NANCY ANN WILLIAMS ENDOWMENT FUND (CARE)
LQC LAMAR HOUSE ENDOWMENT FUND (LOFT)
MARCHBANKS FAMILY TRUST ENDOWMENT FUND
MEGAPOP ENDOWMENT FUND
MISSISSIPPI ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS FOUNDATION
MISSISSIPPI HEART ENDOWMENT FUND
MIZE FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
36 Endowment Funds
MONROE EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND
MORGAN DALE ROEBUCK MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FOR SALVATION ARMY
MR. AND MRS. O.T. RAY ENDOWMENT FUND - FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF
PONTOTOC
NATIONAL CTR FOR COMPUTATIONAL HYDROSCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
ENDOWMENT
NE MS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUITION GUARANTEE ENDOWMENT
NORTHEAST MS FOUNDATION FOR PERFORMING ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND
NORTHEAST MS REGIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ENDOWMENT FUND
OXFORD ENDOWMENT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL ENDOWMENT FUND
PAMELA MASSEY ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THEATRE OXFORD
PIRKLE LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND
PROJECT HOPE ENDOWMENT FUND
PUSHMATAHA AREA COUNCIL BSA ENDOWMENT FUND
RJ WILEMON FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND
ROBERT REED SPIRIT ENDOWMENT FUND
ROWLAND JOYNER LEARNING SKILLS ENDOWMENT
RUTH AND CLAUDE ROEBUCK ENDOWMENT FOR SALTILLO FIRST UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
SARA FRANCES MITCHELL EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND
SHOCKWAVE AQUATICS COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT
SPECIAL MISSIONS ENDOWMENT FUND (FPC CORINTH)
SUSAN N. AND THOMAS J. MCDONALD ENDOWMENT FOR THE TUPELO
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
TCPS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE ENDOWMENT FUND
THE BERNICE GAMBRELL ENDOWMENT FUND
THE DEAN PROVENCE ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
(UNITE)
THE MATT FUND
TOMMY TOSH MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND
TOYOTA WELLSPRING EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND
TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENDOWMENT FUND
UNION COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM AGENCY ENDOWMENT FUND (UNITE)
VIRGINIA H. CHRESTMAN MEMORIAL FUND FOR THE CITY OF OXFORD
WEITZENHOFFER MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND
WEST UNION ENDOWMENT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
WHITFIELD LEADERSHIP FUND
WOOD COLLEGE INC. ENDOWMENT FUND
Top, front to back, left to right: Tupelo Teachers of Distinction: Patricia Parker,
Dana Maharrey, Anne Marie Goad, Jennifer Mathis, Virginia Miller, Jethlynn
McCraw, Kit Stafford, Meredith Craig, Carole Elliott, Laura Sheffield, April West
and Lindsey Dill
together. we are outstanding.
Bottom, front to back, left to right: Karma Brown, Dana Daughtery, Brenda
Turner, Lacy Raper, Sherry Willis, Donna Bridges, Lisa Sandroni, Candace
McFarland, Heather Cartwright, Teresa Bernauer, Anita McGraw and Dora Bell
Endowment Funds 37
2015 At A Glance
$12.3 $7.6 $89.7 $57.1
million million
contributions
grants
million million
assets
endowments
total
Audit
The CREATE Foundation annually engages the services of an independent accounting
firm to perform an audit of the Foundation’s financial statements. As part of the audit, the
firm also reviews the internal controls and various policies and procedures to ensure the
Foundation staff is adhering to the most current accounting practices. The Foundation’s
auditor, Nail McKinney Professional Association, has issued an unmodified audit opinion
on the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015. Complete audited
financials are available at www.createfoundation.com or may be obtained by calling the
CREATE office at (662) 844-8989.
Center for Fiduciary Excellence Certification
CREATE Foundation is the first foundation in the world to
successfully complete the Center for Fiduciary Excellence
(CEFEX) certification process. The CEFEX standard of
excellence for investment stewards is based on 22 fiduciary
practices that seek to increate long-term investment
performance by diversifying the portfolio, evaluating
investment management fees, and selecting investment
managers.
Charity Navigator Certification
In 2015, CREATE Foundation earned its eighth 4-star rating
for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.
Only a small percentage of the charities rated have received
eight 4-star evaluations, indicating that CREATE Foundation
consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way
and outperforms most other charities in America.
38 Financial Report
National Standards
Compliance
The CREATE Foundation
has been confirmed in
compliance with the
Council on Foundations
National Standards.
The National Standards
Seal signifies that
CREATE Foundation
has met rigorous
National Standards and
has demonstrated its
commitment to financial
security, transparency,
and accountability.
Investment Performance
175
Letter from
Buddy Montgomery
Investment Committee Chairman
CREATE Foundation
endowment
Dear Friends,
funds
In 2015, the market ended in negative
territory for the first time in several years.
For the year, the CREATE portfolio was
down (1.17%) net of investment fees. HardyReed, our investment advisors performed
well as the portfolio outperformed our
custom index and better than other
community foundations our size based on
a national survey. Our three-year return
was 6.58%, the five-year return was 6.18%,
and the seven-year return was 9.92%.
We remain confident in our diversified
portfolio approach to generate an
appropriate long-term return.
172
special
project
funds
Our investment committee meets
quarterly with our investment advisors to
review performance and to discuss any
adjustments needed. We take our fiduciary
responsibilities seriously and work to
maximize investment returns through a
sound investment process.
155
donor advised
funds
Sincerely,
Buddy Montgomery
Net Assets (inmillions)
$100
Contributions (inmillions)
$85.8
$89.7
$75
$50
$25
$20
$15
$53.7
$10
$28.3
2000
$5
2010
2014
2015
$12.6
$12.9
$12.3
2010
2014
2015
$2.2
2000
Financial Report 39
be the difference.
Mission Statement:
CREATE Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for the
people of Northeast Mississippi through:
Building permanent community endowment assets
Encouraging philanthropy and managing charitable funds contributed by
individuals, families, organizations and corporations
Strengthening the regional community development capacity
Taking a leadership role on key community issues and impacting the
region through gifts and targeted grant making
To learn more about how to make a difference,
please come by or call the CREATE Foundation.
213 West Main Street
P.O. Box 1053
Tupelo, MS 38802
662.844.8989
Fax: 662.844.8149
www.createfoundation.com