[Community Foundation of East Mississippi](https://www.cfem.org)

March 31, 2027 (Cycle 1) | July 31, 2026 (Cycle 2) | October 31, 2026 (Cycle 3)

Multiple awards per cycle; typical mini-grants up to $500; other grant sizes vary by program and availability.

Annual grants for nonprofits, schools, and community groups supporting education, arts, animal welfare, historic preservation, health, and community development in five East Mississippi counties.

--- ## Description The Community Foundation of East Mississippi offers a range of annual grants through three competitive cycles, supporting projects that enhance the quality of life in Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Newton counties. Grants are available for initiatives in education, arts, animal welfare, historic preservation, community development, leadership, health, and human services. Each grant cycle features specific programs, some honoring local leaders, and targets a diverse array of community needs. Applicants may include nonprofit organizations, schools, school districts, community groups, and, in some cases, government entities. Funding supports both innovative new initiatives and the expansion or continuation of existing programs that benefit residents within the five-county region. --- ## Due Dates - March 31, 2027: Cycle 1 application deadline (February 1 – March 31) - July 31, 2026: Cycle 2 application deadline (June 1 – July 31) - October 31, 2026: Cycle 3 application deadline (September 1 – October 31) --- ## Funding Amount - Multiple awards are given each cycle; grant size varies by program. - Mini-grants (e.g., Neshoba Teacher Mini-Grants) are limited to $500 or less. - Other program grants may be larger, depending on available funds and program guidelines. - Funding is distributed across a range of charitable purposes, with some programs specifying limits. --- ## Eligibility Eligibility varies by grant program, but general requirements include: - Organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, school, school district, community group, or (for some programs) a government entity. - Must serve residents in one or more of the following counties: Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, or Newton. - Applicants must provide: - IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or fiscal sponsorship agreement - Mississippi Secretary of State charitable registration letter (or exemption) - Vision, values, and mission statement - Audited financial statements (Form 990) - Staff listing and board of directors roster Some grants have additional or more specific eligibility criteria (e.g., only Neshoba County teachers for mini-grants, only no-kill animal shelters for certain animal welfare grants). --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online via the [CFEM Grant Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfems). - Each grant cycle has a defined application window: - Cycle 1: February 1 – March 31 - Cycle 2: June 1 – July 31 - Cycle 3: September 1 – October 31 - Applicants can apply to each cycle as eligible. - Required documentation must be uploaded during the application process. - Review program-specific eligibility and requirements prior to applying. --- ## Additional Information - Applicants are encouraged to review each grant’s specific guidelines and eligibility before applying. - Preference may be given to innovative or new projects, but support for existing programs is also considered. - Some grants are restricted to specific counties, populations, or issue areas. - Multiple awards may be made in each category, subject to available funding. --- ## External Links - [CFEM Grant Opportunities Overview](https://cfem.org/grants-cycles/grant-opportunties/) - [CFEM Grant Application Calendar](https://cfem.org/grants-cycles/grant-application-calendar/) - [CFEM Grant Portal (Application Submission)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfems) - [About the Community Foundation of East Mississippi](https://www.cfem.org/about-us/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | info@cfem.org | | Phone | 601.696.3035 | | Online Contact Form | [Contact CFEM](https://www.cfem.org/contact/) | | Grant Portal Support | caseybooker@cfem.org |

Grant Opportunities

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