Annual report 2014 website

HEROES Celebrating our

A NNUAL R E PO RT 201 4 C R E AT E F O U N DAT I O N

HEROES

Board Officers (L to R) Tommy Tomlinson, Past Chairman Cathy Robertson, Treasurer Robin McCormick, Vice Chairman Greg Pirkle, Chairman Ormella Cummings, Secretary Mike Clayborne, President

Contents HEROES

Set a standard Help others to success

Revitalize communities /affliliate boards Protect and preserve /advised funds Serve others selflessly Act with valor/special projects Display courage/scholarships Enhance our communities

lead others to seek the common good.

Make a difference Do not fear adversity Exemplify generosity 2-3 Act with purpose 4-5 Work hard and with integrity 6-8 9-11 12-13 14-16 17-19 20-21

issues. Since 1972, CREATE has partnered with individuals, families, organizations, and corporations to provide grants to non-profits that help meet a wide range of community needs.

Financial report 32-33 The focus of the foundation includes leadership and support for education, s a community foundation, health and human services, the arts, CREATE works to promote and public recreation and beautificaphilanthropy, build and overtion. Since our founding, donors have see permanent endowments and made charitable gifts totaling more provide leadership on key community than $100 million.

A

22-23 24-25 26-27 28-29 30-31

Seeking the common good CREATE Founders George and Keirsey McLean believed that by joining together, communities could cultivate leaders and heroes who would make a difference for us all. Whether through granting scholarships, developing leadership training programs, or enhancing college and career readiness, promoting leadership in our communities is key to our long-term success as a region.

The McLeans serve as a great example of what exceptional leadership can accomplish. They believed that each of us has the responsibility to help raise the level of all people in our communities. Their vision for a vibrant and growing Northeast Mississippi would not have happened without their persistent leadership. So in the heroic spirit of George and Keirsey McLean, let’s continue to work together toward realizing their vision of progress,

growth and vitality for our region.

In the following pages, you will find stories of local heroes and how their leadership has enhanced our region.

HEROES set a standard for excellence.

C

Board of Directors

David Beckley, Ph.D. President Rust College Holly Springs

Bobby Harper Senior Vice President/BDO Renasant Bank Columbus

Buddy Montgomery President First National Bank of Pontotoc Pontotoc

Grace Clark Community Volunteer Tupelo

Octavious Ivy Clinical/Support Services NMMC Tupelo

Aubrey Patterson Retired Chairman of the Board BancorpSouth Tupelo

John Creekmore Attorney Creekmore Law Office, PLLC Amory

Gloria Kellum, Ph.D. Retired Vice Chancellor for University Relations, UM Oxford

Greg Pirkle Attorney Phelps Dunbar, LLP Tupelo

Ormella Cummings, Ph.D. Chief Strategy Officer North MS Health Services Tupelo

Larry Kirk Retired CEO Hancock Fabrics, Inc. Tupelo

Eddie Prather Consultant The Excellence Group Tupelo

Clay Foster President & CEO, Publisher Journal, Inc. Tupelo

Randy Long President Long Wholesale Distributors, Inc. Corinth

Jack Reed, Sr. Chairman Reed’s Tupelo

Hassell H. Franklin CEO Franklin Corporation Houston

Bobby P. Martin Chairman of the Board The People’s Bank Ripley

Betsey Hamilton Community Volunteer New Albany

Robin McCormick Partner Watkins, Ward & Stafford, PLLC West Point

Cathy Robertson Ronnie Rowland Executive Vice President Manager BancorpSouth Prentiss County Electric Power Assoc.

Tupelo Booneville

REATE’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 grantmaking 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.

The CREATE directors are heroes who continue to set a standard for excellence.

CREATE Founders

Directors Emeritus Felix Black 1917-2003

Sean Suggs Vice President Toyota Blue Springs

Milton Sundbeck President/Owner Southern Ionics, Inc. West Point

Tommy Tomlinson Division President Renasant Bank Starkville

Mitch Waycaster Chief Administrative Officer Renasant Bank Tupelo

Bryan Wilson Managing Partner Tacoma Ag, LLC Fulton

Guy Mitchell Board Counsel Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P.A. Tupelo

Michael K. Clayborne President

Lewis Whitfield Senior Vice President

Juanita Floyd Vice President of Finance & Administration

Jennie Hannah Director of Communications

George A. McLean 1904-1983

Anna Keirsey McLean 1906-2000

David Rumbarger President & CEO Community Development Foundation Tupelo

CREATE Staff

Jim Ingram 1930-2006

James Hugh Ray 1927-2007

Mary Alice McLaurin Commission Administrative Assistant

Beverly Williams Director of Finance

J.C. Whitehead 1921-2004

2 Directors

Directors 3

HEROES help others reach their full potential.

The Commission is leading others to success.

T

he Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi, the program arm of CREATE, has intensely focused its efforts on improving educational quality and attainment for our region. The purpose of the Commission is to help strengthen the region through community development. To achieve its purpose, the Commission studies regional data, identifies key issues, sets goals, and convenes partners.

The Commisssion recognizes that helping others reach their full potential through pursuing higher education will benefit our entire region. Attaining an associate's degree from a local community college can open doors of opportunity for area students that might mean pursuing a bachelor's degree or experiencing better employment options. Both have the potential to greatly improve a student's quality of life. Helping these students succeed could have a huge, long-term payback to our region.

4 Commission

Tuition Guarantee.

In the fall of 2014, a total of 2,730 recent high school graduates from all 17 counties enrolled in this tuition-free program at one of the four community colleges serving our region.

An effort was made in the Mississippi Legislature to extend a similar program throughout the state. Regional legislators were again asked to support this program in the 2014 legislative session. However, it was not passed.

Dropout Prevention Summit.

For the eighth consecutive year, more than 25 public school districts from our region assembled to address the school dropout issue. Over the years, this event has focused attention on this issue and its causes and effects.

Best practices are identified and shared, many of which have been implemented by several of our region’s school districts.

In 2014, enrichment and tutoring, dyslexia, innovative districts, and a more flexible school calendar were the major topics of interest.

State of the Region.

Since 1995, CREATE’s Commission has assembled leaders from the 17 counties of northeast Mississippi to reflect on the status of our region. Challenges and issues are presented through guest speakers plus regional data contained in two printed reports. Data for each individual county is available for use from the CREATE website.

At the May 22 State of the Region meeting, a record crowd of 300 plus heard presentations from Bill Johnson, President and CEO of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Dr. Carey Wright, newly appointed State Superintendent of Education in Mississippi. Bill Johnson presented TVA’s vision and outlook for the region, while Dr. Wright gave her vision for education in our state.

A third speaker, Phillip Walker of the Walker Collaborative, described the value of regional cultural heritage tourism.

The Commission members are heroes to the many students whose dreams of higher education have become a reality.

Thanks to the great work of the Commission, students like this Northeast Mississippi Community College graduate can achieve the dream of getting a college education.

Commission Members Alcorn Gary Chandler John Mercier Clayton Stanley Benton Senator Bill Stone Glossie Terry Calhoun John Burt Lisa McNeece Chickasaw Patsy Gregory Bill Smith Clay Amy Berry Eddie Longstreet Itawamba B.J. Canup Mike Eaton Lafayette John Adams Dr. Gloria Kellum Randy Lester Lee Grace Clark Glenn McCullough, Jr. (Chair) Guy Mitchell, III (Vice Chair) Paul Mize, Jr. Judge Rickey Thompson Lowndes Nick Ardillo Allegra Brigham Birney Imes Antwann Richardson Marshall Dr. Gemma Beckley Kelvin Buck Sarah Sawyer Monroe Skip Miles Jean Pinkley Oktibbeha 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 Union Betsey Hamilton Phil Morris At Large Hassell Franklin Denotee Martin Eddie Prather Bill Renick Milton Sundbeck Emeritus Kenny Dill Bobby Martin Jack Reed, Sr. Sandy Williams University Lee Tyner, UM Kyle Steward, MSU

Commission 5

Affiliate Endowment Balances Alcorn County-CARE $1,395,972 Corinth-Alcorn Reaching for Excellence

Calhoun County $266,057 Calhoun County Endowment Fund Chickasaw County-PACE $462,729 Partners in Achieving Community Excellence SOAR provides monetary awards for GED completers.

Clay County $1,171,361 West Point Community Foundation Itawamba County-FIRST $680,303 Friends of Itawamba Responding to Secure Tomorrow Lafayette County-LOFT $730,211 Lafayette/Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow Lowndes County $251,295 Columbus/Lowndes Community Foundation

SOAR makes grants to Friends of the Public Library to provide new books for the children’s section (above) and new computers for the libraries in Starkville, Sturgis, and Maben (below).

Monroe County $378,740 North Monroe County Community Fund - $189,077 South Monroe County Community Fund - $180,663 Oktibbeha County-SOAR $347,525 Starkville-Oktibbeha Achieving Results Tippah County-TARGET $377,340 Tippah and Ripley Growing Excellent Together

Nellah Taylor, Chair, SOAR (Starkville-Oktibbeha Achieving Results) and SOAR board members (L to R) Ross Williams, Martha Wells, and

HEROES

Union County-UNITE $617,614 Union County/New Albany Initiative to Excel

Charles Weatherly receive CREATE’s 2014 James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award.

work to revitalize communities.

6 Affiliates

C

REATE and its twelve

a community hero and made many

in 2003, SOAR is helping elevate the

together to help revitalize

and to the CREATE Foundation. He

County. Recent grants include Friends

community affiliates work

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

valuable contributions to our region was instrumental in CREATE's estab-

lishment serving as its legal architect and advisor. He was a loyal board member for many years.

SOAR, the CREATE affiliate for

new life into the region.

Oktibbeha County, received the 2014

Journal, Inc. established the James

Award. Like Mr. Ray, SOAR has distin-

To recognize their efforts, the

Hugh Ray Community Affiliate

Award. James Hugh Ray was himself

James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate guished itself as an organization of

integrity and dedication. Established

citizens of Starkville and Oktibbeha

of the Public Library; Starkville Area

Arts Council; Boys & Girls Club; Helping Hands Ministry; CARE Ministries of Starkville; Oktibbeha County

Master Gardeners; and Oktibbeha County Tuition Guarantee Fund.

SOAR and its partners are heroes

to people they serve in Starkville and Oktibbeha County.

Affiliates 7

AFFILIATE BOARDS ALCORN (CARE) Hull Davis Orma R. Smith Clayton Stanley Fred Joe Vann, Jr. H.L. “Sandy” Williams, Chair Kenneth Williams Mona Lisa Grady, Executive Director CALHOUN Randy Baker Jim Blue John G. Burt, Co-chair Sheila Freely Joel McNeece Tina Scott Precious Thompson Mona Tillman Michael Watkins Bill Williams, Co-chair Becky Wright CHICKASAW (PACE) Frank Alford Alford Bell Tom Byrne Betsy Collums Hassell Franklin Bobby Mooneyham, Chair Rayburn Parks Harry Robinson Bob Scott Gary Staten Hope Stanz, Executive Director CLAY (WEST POINT) Dewel Brasher Jimmy Bryan Kenny Dill, Chair Robin McCormick Louise Campbell, Executive Director ITAWAMBA (FIRST) Patti Davis Bennett Joey Cox Laken Graham Romona Edge Teresa Floyd Ginger Howell Sid Kirksey Matt Kline George Marquis Teresa McNeece Luke Montgomery Brian Quinn, Chair Jeffrey Strunk Jason Wallace Bryan Wilson Cindy Wilson

8 Affiliate Boards

LAFAYETTE (LOFT) Ben Bolton Bette Butler Michael Joe Cannon Walt Davis Timeka Davis Anne Fair Julie Field Dotsy Fitts Teresa Flautt Sam Haskell Richard Howorth Jean Jordan, Chair 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 Spraggins Molissia Swaney Sherry Wall Julie Yoste Laura Parkinson, Executive Director LOWNDES Mary Alexander Barbara Bigelow Stevan Black Charlie Box Tom Buckley Nancy Carpenter Jim Davidson John T. Frazier Rob Graham Bobby Harper, Chair Brenda Howard Birney Imes Susan Jones Bain Nickels Helen Pridmore Perrin Smith Stewart Stafford Alma Turner Jan Eastman, Executive Director NORTH MONROE Bobby Cleveland George Darden Mary Lib Francis Art Gentry Dottie Haney Bo Miller, Chair Geneva Moon Larry Palmer Dr. Len Pinkley Tony Poss Deborah Rogers

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

SOUTH MONROE Dr. Doris Blanchard Patsy Claxton Nan Corbell James Edwards, Jr. Lavon Fluker-Reed Martin Hanson Susan Honeycutt Bradley Lipsey Leon Manning Greg Miller Kathy Seymour, Chair Betsy Kahl, Executive Director OKTIBBEHA (SOAR) John Robert Arnold Larnzy Carpenter Suzanne Dressel Dora Herring Pat Lane Jim Lytle Paul Millsaps Buddy Staggers Nellah Taylor, Chair Charles E. Weatherly Martha Wells Ross Williams Jan Eastman, Executive Director TIPPAH (TARGET) Dean Caviness Taj Colom Von Coombs Bob Glover, Co-chair Melissa Harrison, Co-chair Jim Jackson Beverly Moffit Deborah Hurt, Executive Director UNION (UNITE) 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 Travis Wiseman, Chair Collette Cross, Executive Director

Tupelo/Lee County Community Affliliate In an effort to target

specific needs in Tupelo

and Lee County, a Tupelo/ Lee County community

affiliate was established in

November 2014. The name and advisory board will be recommended by a steering committee that will

begin meeting in 2015.

ANONYMOUS ANNA MIZE ADAMS AND PAUL LOUIS ADAMS ADVISED FUND JOHN R. AND MARY FICKLIN ARNOLD ADVISED FUND AT&T COMMUNITY OUTREACH FUND MR. AND MRS. ALAN BANK ADVISED FUND BECKLEY FAMILY ADVISED FUND ALFORD AND SHELIA BELL ADVISED FUND SARA AND MONTGOMERY BERRY ADVISED FUND ROBERT AND JANE BLACK ADVISED FUND MRS. CAROLYN BOGGAN ADVISED FUND JAN BOTTS ADVISED FUND DR. AND MRS. DAN BRASFIELD ADVISED FUND MRS. ELIZABETH ANN BROWN ADVISED FUND THE LARRY BROWN ADVISED FUND JAMES D. BRYAN ADVISED FUND BULLARD FAMILY ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. JOHN G. BURT ADVISED FUND CARL BUSH ADVISED FUND THE BYRNE CPA CHARITABLE ADVISORY FUND CAROL BYRNE CHILDREN’S ADVISED FUND CABELL DONOR ADVISED FUND LOUISE CAMPBELL ADVISED FUND CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH LLC CARE FUND CARLOCK TOYOTA ADVISED FUND CHAD AND MARY MARGARET CASE ADVISED FUND DR. AND MRS. DOUG CLARK ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. MIKE CLAYBORNE ADVISED FUND COCA-COLA BOTTLING WORKS – C.T.L. CHARITABLE FUND CUMMINGS FAMILY ADVISED FUND DALRYMPLE FAMILY ADVISED FUND FRANK AND AMY DAVIS ADVISED FUND JUDY AND BOB DAVIS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM HULL DAVIS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM H. DAVIS, JR. ADVISED FUND ALBERT DELGADILLO ADVISED FUND KENNY AND ANNA DILL ADVISED FUND BILL AND SANDRA EASTMAN ADVISED FUND JOE AND KIM ESTESS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. BARRY FORD ADVISED FUND KIRK AND TATE FORRESTER FAMILY ADVISED FUND CLAY AND LANA FOSTER ADVISED FUND JACK AND DANA FOSTER ADVISED FUND JACK AND MARY LIB FRANCIS ADVISED FUND FRANKLIN CORPORATION ADVISED FUND HASSELL H. FRANKLIN ADVISED FUND FREEMAN FAMILY ADVISED FUND JOHN PAUL FRERER MEMORIAL DONOR ADVISED FUND FUTURE EDUCATORS OF AMERICA (Rutledge) SCHOLARSHIP ADVISED FUND RUSSELL AND LYNN GAINES ADVISED FUND E. GLENNAN AND JANICE W. GRADY ADVISED FUND ALBERT AND BILLIE GREEN ADVISED FUND ROBIN AND ANNE HAIRE ADVISED FUND BETSEY AND TOM HAMILTON ADVISED FUND DOUG AND RHONDA HANBY ADVISED FUND

RUBYE DEL HARDEN ADVISED FUND JOHN AND SARA FRANCES HARDY ADVISED FUND JASON AND MELISSA HARRISON ADVISED FUND JIM AND LISA HAWKINS ADVISED FUND DAVID HENSON ADVISED FUND JOE AND MAROLYN HESTER ADVISED FUND SARA M. AND HOWARD R. HINDS ADVISED FUND BABS AND MICKEY HOLLIMAN ADVISED FUND NANCY INGRAM ADVISED FUND ITAWAMBA GOOD WORKS FUND - MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL WALDORF MR. AND MRS. OCTAVIUS IVY ADVISED FUND TERRY AND KATHY JACKSON ADVISED FUND CHARLES AND JOYCE JOHNSTON ADVISED FUND JO ANN R. JONES ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. ERNIE JOYNER, III ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. LARRY KIRK ADVISED FUND LENHOFF FAMILY TRUST ADVISED FUND PHIL AND VICKIE LITTLE ADVISED FUND LONG DISTRIBUTORS CORINTH ADVISED FUND RAND AND PENNY LONG ADVISED FUND ZELL LONG ADVISED FUND M AND A FAMILY ADVISED FUND TERRY G. MANN ADVISED FUND BOBBY P. AND BARBARA M. MARTIN ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. DENOTEE MARTIN ADVISED FUND MARTHA AND M.B. MARTIN ADVISED FUND JOHN AND JANET MATTHEWS ADVISED FUND ELLEN DRANE MAULDIN ADVISED FUND ROBIN Y. MCCORMICK ADVISED FUND ROBIN AND MIMI MCGRAW ADVISED FUND ED AND HELEN MEEK ADVISED FUND ANN PHILLIPS AND HUGHES MILAM ADVISED FUND STEPHEN AND SONYA MILES ADVISED FUND MINGA FAMILY ADVISED FUND SUSAN AND GUY MITCHELL ADVISED FUND TFI/ANN B. MITCHELL ADVISED FUND MITCHELL, MCNUTT AND SAMS ADVISED FUND CATHERINE AND PAUL MIZE ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. THEODORE S. MOLL ADVISED FUND MARSHALL AND DAPHNE MONTGOMERY ADVISED FUND BOBBY MOONEYHAM ADVISED FUND JENNIFER MOONEYHAM ADVISED FUND BOBBY J. AND MINERVA MOORE ADVISED FUND PHIL AND SUSAN MORRIS ADVISED FUND MOSSY OAK FOUNDATION ADVISED FUND DINETIA NEWMAN ADVISED FUND OLD WAVERLY GOLF CLUB ADVISED FUND MARY AND SAM PACE ADVISED FUND PALMER FAMILY FUND DAVID M. PALMER ADVISED FUND RAYBURN PARKS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. AUBREY B. PATTERSON ADVISED FUND GREG AND LISA PIRKLE ADVISED FUND JOYCE AND HAL POLK ADVISED FUND LAURIE HORN STEVENSON DONOR ADVISED FUND EDDIE AND PRISCILLA PRATHER ADVISED FUND MELVIN AND VALERIE RAY ADVISED FUND

R.W. REED COMPANY ADVISED FUND DAKIN REED ADVISED FUND JACK AND LISA REED ADVISED FUND MR. JACK REED, SR. ADVISED FUND LILLA REED ADVISED FUND SCOTT AND ANNETTE REED ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM R. REED, SR. ADVISED FUND SARAH DILL REILY ADVISED FUND JOE K. ROBBINS, JR. ADVISED FUND CATHY AND DON ROBERTSON ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. BRITT ROGERS, III ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. JOHN JAMESON ROGERS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. RONNY ROWLAND ADVISED FUND DOROTHY D. AND GEORGE H. RUFF FOUNDATION ADVISED FUND DAVID AND DONNA RUMBARGER (GRACE ADVISED FUND) JOE RUTHERFORD ADVISED FUND MRS. MARY P. SCOTT ADVISED FUND MR. ROBERT H. SCOTT ADVISED FUND ROBERT W. AND KATHLEEN SEYMOUR ADVISED FUND CROFTON AND CAMILLE SLOAN ADVISED FUND TERRE AND ORMA SMITH ADVISED FUND JANE SPAIN ADVISED FUND CINDY AND MARTY SPARKS ADVISED FUND ALICE STAFFORD ADVISED FUND STAGGERS ADVISED FUND KATY AND CLAYTON STANLEY ADVISED FUND THOMAS L. STENNIS ADVISED FUND MRS. ANNE J. STEPHENS ADVISED FUND SARA STEPHENS ADVISED FUND SULLIVAN FOUNDATION ADVISED FUND JOHN P. AND LINDA C. SULLIVAN ADVISED FUND MARTHA SWINDLE ADVISED FUND GEORGE M. AND BETTY B. TAYLOR ADVISED FUND NELLAH TAYLOR AND J. MARK MERRITT ADVISED FUND SANFORD AND SUSAN THOMAS ADVISED FUND FULTON AND JULIE THOMPSON ADVISED FUND DENNIS AND BETH TOSH ADVISED FUND VAN OSTEN FAMILY ADVISED FUND MRS. BILLIE H. WADLINGTON ADVISED FUND ELLEN WALKER ADVISED FUND DR. AND MRS. RICHARD WARRINER ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. HEYWOOD WASHBURN ADVISED FUND CHARLES WEATHERLY ADVISED FUND WILLIAM GRAHAM AND MARTHA F. WELLS ADVISED FUND MARY AND CHARLES WERNER ADVISED FUND WILLIAM AND ELIZABETH WEST ADVISED FUND LEWIS WHITFIELD ADVISED FUND WILEMON FOUNDATION ADVISED FUND DR. AND MRS. FAYETTE WILLIAMS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. H.L. (SANDY) WILLIAMS ADVISED FUND MR. KENNETH WILLIAMS ADVISED FUND ROSS AND DIANA WILLIAMS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. W.T. WILLIAMS, III ADVISED FUND

Donor Advised Funds 9

Toxey Haas Mossy Oak Creator and CEO Mossy Oak’s Nativ Nurseries are dedicated to providing the most naturally beneficial plants to landowners and land managers, whether they are White Oaks for whitetails, American Beautyberry for songbirds, native flowers for the butterflies and hummingbirds, landscaping the cabin, or our incredible collection of rare oak hybrids, it’s all about taking care of things for the future and benefitting nature.

HEROES help protect and preserve our future.

A

God. Family. Dirt. fter God and family at Mossy Oak, it’s all about the dirt. It all started with a fistful of dirt, limbs, and leaves and created a revolution in the outdoor industry resulting in one of the world’s most recognized and trusted outdoor brands and enterprises.

Everyone at Mossy Oak believes there’s more to sustaining the hunting tradition than simply developing new patterns. Mossy Oak holds an influential position in the hunting industry, one that allows it to do everything possible to protect the future. It proudly sponsors and supports many conservation organizations nationally and locally through monetary and product donations and through integrated programs and research initiatives.

Mossy Oak not only cares about the health of the environment, but also cares about the health of people. By supporting cancer research foundations in finding a cure, Mossy Oak is contributing to a healthy future for us all. The Mossy Oak Foundation Advised Fund established at 10 Advised Funds

the CREATE Foundation makes giving back to its community easy.

“We have found the donor advised fund at CREATE to be extremely helpful and convenient. We simply send an e-mail or make a call to CREATE, and know that our donations will follow to the intended recipient in a professional manner. This is an excellent way to help us do more for our community and region.”

Toxey Haas Mossy Oak Creator and CEO West Point, Mississippi

Mossy Oak's conservation and research efforts make it a hero to the people of our region.

For more information on Mossy Oak and its community impact, please log on to www. mossyoak.com.

Donor Advised Funds A donor advised fund allows donors to make contributions and grant recommendations at their convenience Donations and tax-reporting are consolidated into a yearend 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 to create 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.

Advised Funds 11

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi serve youth (ages 6-18) in Chickasaw, Lafayette, Lee, Tippah, and Union Counties. The school day program serves 500 children per day, while the summer program serves 600 children per day. (left) Students enjoy selecting and decorating their own pumpkins in October. (right) Claiborne Barksdale poses with students at the Oxford Club. (far right) Students enjoy water activities in the summer Club program. (bottom right) Students demonstrate their dancing skills at the Club's Dance Like the Stars annual fundraiser in August.

"Our heroes are definitely our donors and volunteers. Without the generous donations from individuals, foundations, businesses and corporations, and the

HEROES

serve others with selfless abandon.

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi

B

oys & Girls Clubs provide activities that meet the interests of all youth. Core Programs engage young people with adults, peers, and family members that enable them to develop self-esteem and reach their full potential. Based on the physical, emotional, cultural, and social needs and interests of students, along with developmental principles, our Clubhouses offer program activities in five areas: Character and Leadership Development Programs in this area empower youth to support and influence their Clubhouse and community, sustain meaningful relationships with others, develop a positive self-image 12 Organization Endowments

and good character, participate in the democratic process, and respect their own and others' cultural identities.

Education and Career Development Programs in this area enable youth to become proficient in basic educational disciplines, apply learning to everyday situations and embrace technology to achieve success in a career.

Health and Life Skills Programs in this area develop young people’s capacity to engage in positive behaviors that nurture their own well-being, set personal goals and live successfully as selfsufficient adults.

countless hours volunteers give,

we could not fulfill our mission of

inspiring and

enabling all young people to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. We appreciate our heroes so much!"

Zell Long Chief Professional Officer Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi

The Arts Programs in this area enable youth to develop their creativity and cultural awareness through knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts, crafts, performing arts and creative writing.

Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Programs in this area develop fitness, positive use of leisure time, skills for stress management, appreciation for the environment and social skills.

Organization Endowments With a permanent endowment fund at CREATE, the Boys & Girls Clubs can continue the business of offering character and leadership development programs for children both today and in the years to come. 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 Endowments 13

HEROES display extraordinary acts of valor.

T

upelo’s John Servati, a University of Alabama swimmer, died after

heroically saving his girlfriend

during a tornado in Tuscaloosa this past April.

John Servati 1993-2014

“John Servati was an extraordinary young man who worked every day, in both word and deed, to make the world around him a better place.”

University of Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle

Servati was recognized as the NCAA’s 2015 Award of Valor

recipient at the annual convention held in January. The NCAA award is not presented annually, but

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

is reserved to recognize an outstanding act of valor.

“There’s no doubt that John is the embodiment of what this award

represents,” Alabama swimming

mer, an excellent teammate and a tremendous young man, he died as he lived, in service to others.

He is greatly missed by everyone whose life he touched.”

Special Project Funds

CREATE's special project funds

allow community groups to carry

out their charitable services while waiting for IRS designation as a

In recognition of John Servati's

501(c)3. CREATE serves as fiscal

vice, love and commitment to the

lowing the group to operate as a

Aquatic Center has established a

the foundation.

act of valor and his years of ser-

agent for the special project al-

Tupelo Swim Team, the Tupelo

non-profit under the auspices of

memorial and honorarium fund

at the CREATE Foundation. Donations will be used to fund a John Servati memorial at the Tupelo Aquatic Center.

Tupelo High School swimming

coach, Lucas Smith, who coached John since he was 9 years old,

said, "He was just one of those

golden children. He lived for the team. That's what drove him."

Those who would like to honor

the memory of John Servati, may send donations to the CREATE Foundation designated for the

Tupelo Aquatic Center Memorial and Honorarium Fund.

and diving coach Dennis Pursley

said. “A strong student and swim14 Special Project Funds

Special Project Funds 15

SPECIAL PROJECT FUNDS AMERICAN LEGION POST 49 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AMORY COMMUNITY EVENTS AMORY COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND PROJECT ANSWERS FOR AGGIE ANTONE TANNEHILL GOOD SAMARITAN HEALTH SERVICES (FREE CLINIC) APRIL’S ANGELS ASSOCIATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BILL RASPBERRY’S BABY STEPS SPECIAL PROJECT BOERNER BE WILD SPECIAL PROJECT BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY CALEDONIA BAND SPECIAL PROJECT CENTURY 21 BALANCE SPECIAL PROJECT CIVIC BALLET SPECIAL PROJECT COKE 10K KIDS GET FIT INITIATIVE COLUMBUS AFB STATIC DISPLAY COLUMBUS CHORAL SOCIETY COLUMBUS POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI SPECIAL PROJECT COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF ALCORN COUNTY COMMITTEE FOR KING SPECIAL PROJECT COPS AND KIDS (PAL) COTESWORTH CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CENTER CREELY MUSEUM SPECIAL PROJECT DANCING WITH THE KING DISTRICT 6 LEADERSHIP CAMP DONIPHAN DANCE PROJECT EASOM OUTREACH FOUNDATION ECEC ARTS INTEGRATION FUND ED GOODMAN MEMORIAL SPECIAL PROJECT EDUCATION POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM ELVIS PRESLEY FOUNDATION SPECIAL PROJECT ELVIS PRESLEY YOUTH FUND EXCEL BY 5 LEE COUNTY EXPECT FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER THE FELLOWSHIP FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN RETREAT, INC. FIREWORKS ON THE WATER FOOD ALLERGIC CHILDREN’S EDUCATION IN TUPELO (FACE IT) FRIENDS OF MUSIC BEND NATURE TRAIL FULTON COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS FULTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL SPECIAL PROJECT FULTON PARKS PROJECT GRILLING ON THE RIVER HAVEN ACRES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT HELPING HANDS OF UNION COUNTY SPECIAL PROJECT HHS MEMORIAL PLAZA SPECIAL PROJECT HUGHES SHELTER BALANCE ITAWAMBA COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER ITAWAMBA COUNTY SHERIFF SPECIAL PROJECT ITAWAMBA CROSSROADS RANCH ITAWAMBA LEARNING CENTER JOYNER CEMETERY SPECIAL PROJECT FUND JOYNER TORNADO RECOVERY FUND KIDNEY HEAD SPECIAL PROJECT KIDS WITH CHARACTER KRISTEN MINGA FOUNDATION FOR TEEN CHALLENGE LEADERSHIP UNION COUNTY LIVING HEALTH FREE MEDICAL CLINIC LKT HYDROCEPHALUS MIRACLE FUND LOWNDES YOUNG LEADERS MAIN STREET COLUMBUS SPECIAL PROJECT MANTACHIE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

16 Special Project Funds

MAYOR’S TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION/TUPELO READS THE MESSIAH MILL VILLAGE HISTORIC REVITALIZATION AND RENOVATION MISSISSIPPI ANGELS PAGEANT SPECIAL PROJECT MISSISSIPPI AVIATION MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER MISSISSIPPI FILM ALLIANCE SPECIAL PROJECT MISSISSIPPI HILLS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION SPECIAL PROJECT NEWMS FAIRY GODMOTHER PROJECT NEWMS GENERAL FUND NEWMS SUCCESS SKILLS/TEEN SS SCHOLARSHIP FUND NEWSPAPERS & EDUCATION SPECIAL PROJECT NORTHEAST MS BIRTHING PROJECT NORTHEAST MS CHARITABLE FUND NORTHEAST MS COMMUNITY RECOVERY FUND NORTHEAST MS DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY OKOLONA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION CHARITIES PLAYGROUND OF DREAMS POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE SPECIAL PROJECT POTTER’S WHEEL – FOLK TALES FROM ‘BIGBEE VALLEY PRESERVING ITAWAMBA HERITAGE/GAITHER HOUSE PROJECT HOPE REBEL VENTURE CAPITAL FUND RED HILL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION REGIONAL REHAB CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SPECIAL PROJECT RESIDENT LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE/TEAM TUPELO SALTILLO WOMEN’S CLUB SPECIAL PROJECT SALUTE LOWNDES COUNTY FINEST SAVING TUPELO’S FIRST PARK/NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY SHANNON COMMUNITY/SCHOOLS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT SHARING AT CHRISTMAS SPECIAL PROJECT SMILE INITIATIVE SPECIAL PROJECT SMITHVILLE MS RECOVERY FUND SNUGGLE BUDDY SPECIAL PROJECT STARKVILLE BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY STOP THE HURT PROJECT TALLAHATCHIE ARTS COUNCIL TAMMY WYNETTE LEGACY PARK TOM TIMMS MEMORIAL FUND TPSD WELLNESS PROGRAM TUPELO AQUATIC CENTER MEMORIAL AND HONORARIUM FUND TUPELO FILM FESTIVAL SOCIETY TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY AND COMMUNITY FIELD TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCATION SPECIAL PROJECT TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS SPECIAL PROJECT TUPELO POLICE DEPARTMENT RESERVE DIV 1 FUND TUPELO POLICE DEPARTMENT RESOURCE OFFICER/DARE FUND TUPELO POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC SAFETY FUND TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPECIAL PROJECT TUPELO UNITY CHOIR TUPELO VISION - GOODNIGHT MOON PROJECT TUPELO VISION - MS HEALTHIEST CITY TUPELO VISION - NEIGHBORHOOD TASK FORCE VETERANS’ PARK MEMORIAL JET PROJECT VIETNAM REPLICA WALL A WAY OUT SPECIAL PROJECT (FULTON) WE CARE FOR KIDS SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE WESTON REED FOUNDATION SPECIAL PROJECT WINDOWS INITIATIVE SPECIAL PROJECT WINGS OVER COLUMBUS WIVES OF WARRIORS

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

FRANCES MALLORY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

AMORY ROTARY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

MCCARTY COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

AMORY ROTARY LEE MCCOWN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AMORY ROTARY HOLACE MORRIS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT PEBBLES EAST AULDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND DENNIS BAILEY & MAXINE MONTS CAMERON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND NELLIE MORGAN BALLARD SCHOLARSHIP FUND JULIA BLAKEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (LINK CULINARY ARTS)

JAKE MAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND J.C. MCDANIEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND EMILY MCDONALD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND MCLAUGHLIN HARRISON FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT MISSISSIPPI FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND MISSISSIPPI THEATRE ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

DR. AND MRS. WALTER BOURLAND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

LISA MITCHELL “GREEN AND GROWING” MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

MARSHUAN BRAXTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

KAYLA SUE MIZE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

COACH JOE BRIGANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ELISE MOBLEY SCHOLARSHIP FUND (PACE)

LARRY BROWN CREATIVE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

BOB AND MARILYN MONROE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

TIMMY BRYANT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (TARGET)

TAYLOR MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

COACH JIMBO BYARS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

J.T. NEELY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

MARGARET BYRAM SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

RYAN PETTIT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

BYRNE-FIELD SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

MARIE PICKENS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ERNEST CADDEN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

CLAUDIA RUTH CASTENIR SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

MR. AND MRS. B.L. RIEVES SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

M. GLEN AND LORA H. DAVIDSON SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

WINIFRED AND MAYFIELD RILEY TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP

RUSSELL DORMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND EVA ANN BEASLEY DORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ROTARY CLUB OF OXFORD EDWIN MOAK SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

DOUGHERTY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

GEORGE H. SCHULTZ SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

PATRICIA “ROBIN” DOWS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

SCHOCKWAVE SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FUND

EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS SCHOLARSHIP

SIMPSON VICKERY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

DARREN FENTON NAYC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

DAVID SKINNER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ALLIENE GIBENS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

TYLER SLOAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

KIM GREEN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

ORMA SMITH JR. SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

ROBBY HALE “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

CASEY SPRADLING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND ENDOWMENT FUND

TODD HARDIN MEMORIAL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

GALE STAUFFER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

CAROLINE BRYAN HARRELL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

STUBBS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

THE MARY KIRKPATRICK HASKELL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

JOHN N. TODD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

JEFFREY HINES HOPPER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

TUPELO LUNCHEON CIVITAN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

ALBERT HORN AND FAHOMA CRUMBY HORN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT EMILY WRIGHT HORNE MEMORIAL FUND KELLEY ELIZABETH HUMPHREYS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND SHEILA HUTCHESON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND M & F BANK - JIM AND NANCY INGRAM SCHOLARSHIP FUND BOBBYE FRANKS JONES SCHOLARSHIP FUND ROWLAND JOYNER LEARNING SKILLS ENDOWMENT JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF TUPELO SCHOLARSHIP FUND

MR. AND MRS. TOM ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND

TUPELO LADIES CIVITAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND KAROL JEAN VOGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND PRESLY WALLACE, JR SOCCER SCHOLARSHIP CLAY WAYCASTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND ELGAR AND LUENE WAYCASTER MINISTERIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT OWEN B. WHITEHURST SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND WHITESIDE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND VALERIA MORGAN WHITFIELD SCHOLARSHIP FUND WOODS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF WEST POINT/MATT POSEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND TONY LAUNIUS SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND JORDAN LINDSEY CHRISTIAN CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

Scholarship Funds 17

HEROES

display courage and the will for self-sacrifice in the face of danger.

O

Courage in the face of danger. fficer Sgt. Gale Stauffer truly exemplifies the word “Hero.” He paid the ultimate price for his service when he became the first Tupelo police officer ever to die in the line of duty. Stauffer was shot and killed by a bank robbery suspect on Dec. 23, 2013.

“My life changed that day,” said Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre. “Every officer in the department felt their lives altered.”

Stauffer is remembered not only as a policeman, but also as a National Guard soldier who served two tours of duty in Iraq. He was also a husband and a father of two small children. “He made a sacrifice to protect people he didn’t know, to protect our way of life,” said Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton. “We owe a debt to the Stauffer family that can never be repaid.”

Sheriff Jim Johnson met Stauffer when he applied for a job as a deputy in 2004. Along with his resume, there were 27 letters of recommendation. “He was one of the finest young men I have ever met,” said Johnson. “To the Stauffer family, thank you for letting us borrow Gale for a few years.”

Aguirre said Stauffer was fun to be around and he loved to share his cooking skills with the other officers on his shift, especially his Cajun cooking. “Gale was loved by many,” said Aguirre. “He gave our city the most precious gift when he laid down his life to protect others.”

Gale Stauffer also earned his criminal justice degree by attending ICC and Ole Miss while working full time as a Tupelo Police officer.

In honor of Stauffer’s sacrifice and his commitment to education, CREATE Foundation established the Gale Stauffer Memorial Scholarship. It was announced during an appreciation dinner for Lee County’s first responders this past April. “We wanted a permanent reminder of what 18 Scholarship Funds

Officer Stauffer did for us,” said Greg Pirkle, chairman of the CREATE board of directors.

The scholarship will be for $10,000 per year, and the business community and residents are invited to contribute to the endowment fund. The scholarship is designated for children of Lee County first responders.

Some 150 people gave a standing ovation to Stauffer’s family. Most of the people standing were, themselves, saluted throughout the event, which was meant to honor those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

Darrell Rankin, president of the Lee County Board of Supervisors, thanked those who “put on the suit and make yourself ready for the challenges of the day. It reminds us of the heroes who are among us,” he said.

David Rumbarger, president of the Community Development Foundation, said that since his son has become a police officer, he’s learned what other families go through when someone they love willingly puts himself or herself in harm’s way. He said he has also learned that first responders form tight bonds and their coworkers become a second family. In that spirit, he asked everyone in the room to hold hands and form a circle, and then he prayed that God would protect those who protect everyone else.

Scholarship Funds CREATE 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 80 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) 8448989.

To commemorate Officer Gale Stauffer’s heroism, the CREATE Foundation established the Gale Stauffer Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship is designated for the children of Lee County first responders. To make a donation to the fund in memory of Gale Stauffer, please contact CREATE at (662) 844-8989.

Scholarship Funds 19

The Corinth Area Arts Council, a Pierce Foundation grantee, is a service agency with the primary goal of restoring and managing the Coliseum Civic Center. The Civic Center serves 30,00040,000 patrons each year and is a perfect venue for weddings, pageants, musical productions, and theatre performances.

Mississippi State University Mize Pavilion

HEROES The Itawamba Community College Foundation received a Mize Foundation grant for 2014.

CARE used its grant from the Pierce Foundation to help fund the Alcorn County Excel by 5 certification. Excel by 5 stresses the importance of high-quality early childhood education.

Northeast Mississippi Community College received a 2014 Mize Foundation grant.

work to enhance our communities.

E

The Henry Mize Foundation

stablished in 2003 by Mr. Mize's nephew, Paul "Buzzy" Mize, the Henry Mize Foundation provides support for the charitable organizations that Mr. Mize loved. Several worthy organizations received support this year including the Itawamba Community College Foundation that works to keep pace with the ever-changing world of higher education and technology; the Tupelo Downtown Main Street Association that works to revitalize the downtown business district; Northeast Mississippi Community College that seeks to raise the education 20 Supporting Organizations

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The Benjamin and Corinne Pierce Foundation he Pierce Foundation was established in 2001 by Corinne Pierce in memory of her husband Benjamin to commemorate his commitment to community and to honor his civic leadership. The 2014 Pierce grants and scholarships exceeded $315,000, making the total investment by the Pierce Foundation in Alcorn County more than $4.3 million. Benjamin and Corinne Pierce are community heroes.

level of all; the Mississippi State University Mize Pavillion, a multi-purpose facility that features a basketball practice court and abundant office space; and the Good Samaritan Free Clinic in Tupelo that provides healthcare and medicine to unemployed or under employed people in Tupelo and Lee County.

The 2014 Henry Mize Foundation grant disbursements were $198,834, making the total investment to our region nearly $3.9 million. The Mize Foundation is a hero to those it serves.

Supporting Organizations Pierce Foundation grants support quality arts exposure and entertainment in Corinth and Alcorn County. Pictured here are two cast members from a recent Corinth Theatre Arts production of "Hairspray."

CREATE Foundation functions as the umbrella for the Mize Foundation and the Pierce Foundation. Without the annual tax reporting, auditing, and administrative costs of maintaining a private foundation, supporting organizations can put more of their funds to work enhancing and improving life for northeast Mississippians.

Supporting Organizations 21

HEROES

(left) Students learn about age-related health issues and illnesses at North Mississippi Medical Center while participating in the Toyota Wellspring Health Careers course.

The dual-enrollment course is a joint effort between Northeast Mississippi Community College and NMMC.

make an extraordinary difference in our lives.

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Toyota Wellspring Education Fund

he 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 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 Toyota Wellspring Education Fund Advisory Committee Reggie Collums Pontotoc, Mississippi David Copenhaver Tupelo, Mississippi Mike Staten BNA Bank New Albany, Mississippi

• 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 • the initial concept and planning for a major career expo to be held in the fall of 2015 • funding Teacher of the Year awards in all eight districts

It is difficult to measure the impact of such an extraordinary gift. However, because of Toyota's presence and generosity, we believe our region will never be the same. Toyota is a genuine community hero.

Sean Suggs Vice President Administration Toyota Motor Manufacturing MS, Inc. Blue Springs, Mississippi

Jean Massey Associate State Superintendent of Education Jackson, Mississippi

Ex-Officio Members

Dr. Larry Anderson Founder/Director National Center for Technology Planning Tupelo, Mississippi

Greg Pirkle Partner, Phelps Dunbar, LLP Tupelo, Mississippi

22 Toyota Wellspring Education Fund

Committee Advisors

Mike Clayborne President, CREATE Tupelo, Mississippi Dr. Chuck Garrett Senior Education Consultant New Albany, Mississippi

(above left) Students experience an exciting opportunity to learn outside the classroom while gaining valuable career guidance and college credit hours.

Students from public schools in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union Counties participate in a dual enrollment aviation class held jointly at Hinds Community College and Tupelo Regional Airport. Students received five hours actual flight instruction. (left) Tupelo High School Senior Sam Bertolet demonstrates his web app, Classmate, to a panel of MSU professors at the culmination of the web application dual-enrollment course.

Students receive high school and col-

lege credit for the courses. (above) MDC Corporation, a North Carolina consulting firm, meets with students from the region to get their perspective on selecting and pursuing a career. (far left) Female students interested in learning more about careers in the field of technology attend the Digital Divas academic summer camp tuition-free on the Mississippi State University Campus. The Toyota Wellspring Fund offers a variety of tuition-free academic summer camps at MSU and Ole Miss.

Toyota Wellspring Education Fund 23

Genuine Heroes Eight Days of Hope is a volunteer, non-profit organization that has helped people all over the country recover from disasters. For eight days during July, 3,023 volunteers from 37 states joined together to help victims rebuild their lives. Volunteers worked in 235 homes completing the work on 159 of those. Eight Days of Hope volunteers provided repair work and other services to Tupelo and Lee County citizens totaling between $4 and $6 million.

The CREATE Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to Eight Days of Hope from the Community Recovery Fund.

To Eight Days of Hope volunteers and organizers, all the agencies that assisted the recovery effort, every business and church, every fundraising group, every family and individual that particpated in the recovery effort by donating their time, services, funds and other resources, we say thank you. They are all genuine heroes.

24 Marchbanks Endowment Fund

HEROES

Eight Days of Hope founder Steve Tybor comforts a storm victim.

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Eight Days of Hope volunteers pray for God’s guidance and help for storm victims.

An Eight Days of Hope volunteer prepares for a long day .

are not afraid of adversity.

n Monday, April 28, a devastating tornado with 150-170 mph winds rocked Tupelo and Lee County, whirling trees onto houses, crumpling up businesses, and leaving a trail of injuries and at least one death. Approximately 2000 residences and 100 commercial structures in the city were damaged or destroyed. In Lee County, 131 residences and 2 commercial buildings were destroyed. Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton declared a state of emergency for the city of Tupelo. Around 16,000 people were without power in the Tupelo/Lee County area. “It was real bad. We were trying to pull people out,” said Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre, referring to emergency crews going house to house searching damaged buildings. Many people were left wondering what to do next.

The community response was overwhelming. The Red Cross immediately opened a shelter at the BancorpSouth Arena. Churches began organizing recovery teams

and planning meals to assist victims and volunteers. The Tupelo Strong website sponsored by the Mabus Agency and Renasant Bank began connecting those in need with those offering help. The United Way organized volunteer clean-up crews.

Several businesses and agencies became dropoff points for donated bottled water and other supplies.

The Mall at Barnes Crossing along with WTVA, the Daily Journal, Tupelo Radio Broadcasting, MS Radio Group, Snyder Media, Lee County Courier, and CREATE sponsored a mediathon to help raise funds for relief efforts.

Concerts were held, t-shirts were sold, children’s books were donated, even lemonade stands popped up to help raise money for tornado victims.

Everybody pitched in to help northeast Mississippi recover.

Marchbanks Endowment Fund With a grant from the Marchbanks Endowment fund, CREATE established the Northeast Mississippi Community Recovery Fund. Having grown up during the Depression, John and Frances Marchbanks knew something about overcoming adversity in their own lives. They both suffered from the effects of Frances' having had polio as a child. That fueled their desire to help others overcome obstacles to better themselves. In 2005, the Marchbanks left a gift of $8.7 million to benefit the region.

Northeast Mississippians donated $443,665 to the Community Recovery fund. That money was then disbursed in grants to local and national agencies to assist with the recovery.

Agencies funded include Eight Days of Hope; Columbus and Tupelo Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Way; Lift, Inc.; All Hands Volunteers; and Winston County Relief Fund.

Marchbanks Endowment Fund 25

HEROES Kenji Kusakari, from left, Barbara McDaniel, Emily Holland, Sean Suggs, Takashi Fujita and Kathryn Ragsdale accept the McLean Award on behalf of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi.

exemplify an extraordinary spirit of generosity.

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26 McLean Awards

he McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and 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 Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Blue Springs, Mississippi.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi has produced more than 450,000 Corollas since starting production three years ago, rolling out a car every 74 seconds.

But those figures pale in comparison to the $50 million endowment that parent company Toyota Motor Corporation has committed to give to enhance education in Lee, Pontotoc and Union County public schools; or to the

14,000 volunteer hours employees have contributed to local communities; or to the more than $1.5 million given to 55 local organizations across Northeast Mississippi.

"You couldn't ask for a better community partner than Toyota," said Mike Clayborne, president of CREATE, which presented the award at its annual fall summit in November.

"We're honored and excited," said Sean Suggs, TMMMS vice president of administration. "We're excited every day we come to the plant and everybody shows we not only build great cars, but we also give back to the communities we live in."

Toyota is a true community hero. It continues to make life better for all people in Northeast Mississippi.

McLean Awards 27

HEROES are purpose-driven people.

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he Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation, 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 non-profit agencies that primarily serve children and youth. The NEMYF endowment has exceeded the $100,000 mark with nearly $30,000 in grants given back to northeast Mississippi communitites.

students from Okolona High School who plan to attend college.

2014 Grants

Lowndes/Clay/Oktibbeha Counties: A grant was made to Golden Triangle Baptist Association for World Changers, a youth service organization.

Benton County: Students brought coats to donate to Coats for Kids.

Chickasaw County: The Chickasaw County Soccer Association received a grant to provide scholarships for low-income students in Houston. Dollars for Scholars in Okolona also received a grant to provide assistance to

Clay County: Project Homestead, a food pantry that serves the West Point area, received a grant.

Lee County: Helping Hands Helping Homeless in Tupelo received a grant to assist the homeless.

Pontotoc County: Excel by 5, a community certification program that enhances parenting skills and early childcare centers, received a grant.

Tippah County: Koon’s Care Free Clinic in Ripley received a grant to purchase medical supplies.

NEMYF board members are heroes to the many people who have benefitted from their efforts.

NEMYF board members learn about teamwork and trust during the fall retreat at Oxford’s Rebel Challenge Course.

(Facing page) Students make friends from across the region while working in committees during board meetings. (far right) Helping Hands Helping Homeless receives its grant check from Lee County NEMYF board members.

28 Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation

Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation 29

HEROES demonstrate commitment to integrity and hard work.

Teacher of Distinction Awards

O Teacher of Distinction winners included, from left, Amanda Koonlaba, Susan Hankins, Cynthis Huddleston, Allyson McGraw, Nina Roberts, Janna Fairley, Cheryl Dexter, Caren Barber, Mollie Gratz, Karen Logan and Annette Akins.

utstanding teachers who are committed to the hard work it takes to educate a child are truly our unsung heroes. With that in mind, the Teacher of Distinction Awards program was established by CREATE's Innovations in Education Fund to honor and recognize outstanding teachers from the Tupelo Public School District. The Association for Excellence in Education (AEE) co-sponsors the awards with the CREATE Foundation. The following funds and organizations partner with AEE and CREATE to support this program: B & B Concrete, Inc.; BancorpSouth; Booth Family Endowment Fund; Community Bank; Mitchell, McNutt and Sams Law Firm; Marilyn and Bob Monroe Endowment fund; MTD Products; Reed Family Trust Endowment Fund; Renasant Bank; Tupelo High School Alumni Association; Tupelo Kiwanis Club; Tupelo Rotary Club; and Tupelo Public Schools Administrative Council.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Teacher of Distinction winners included, from left, Christina McCurdy, Lesley Shields, Monica Rowe, Teletha Newell, Felisha Woods, Beverley Brister, Marlo Hendrix, Kelly Manley, Sharon Davis, and Shasta Long and assistant teachers Nytoshia Ezell, Faith Mann and Mary Gray.

30 Endowment Funds

BOOTH FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND VIRGINIA H. CHRESTMAN MEMORIAL FUIND FOR THE CITY OF OXFORD COCA-COLA LEGACY FOUNDATION BILLY & CATHERINE CREWS & SONJA JENKINS EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND ARLAND A. AND GRACE DIRLAM ENDOWMENT FUND ELAINE DUNDY AND ROY TURNER ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS EVERGREEN DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT FUND FOX FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND SPECIAL MISSIONS ENDOWMENT FUND (FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CORINTH) JOHN PAUL FRERER MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND THE BERNICE GAMBRELL ENDOWMENT FUND CAROLINE BRYAN HARRELL EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND INGOMAR ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND JOYNER FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND LQC LAMAR HOUSE ENDOWMENT FUND BYRON AND SHERRY LEHMAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FUND ALICE LITTLE ENDOWMENT FUND THE MATT FUND JOHN AND JANET MATTHEWS ENDOWMENT FUND

BETH MCAULEY MUSIC ENDOWMENT FUND ED AND BECKY MEEK ENDOWMENT FUND MEGAPOP ENDOWMENT FUND MISSISSIPPI HEART ENDOWMENT FUND SARA FRANCES MITCHELL EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND MIZE FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND MONROE EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND JOHNNY MORGAN FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY TUITION GUARANTEE ENDOWMENT FUND OXFORD ENDOWMENT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION BENJAMIN AND CORINNE PIERCE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND PIRKLE LIBRARY ENDOWMENT FUND THE DEAN PROVENCE ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION JAMES HUGH RAY MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND REED FAMILY TRUST FUND ROBERT REED SPIRIT ENDOWMENT FUND ALICE LYNN ROEBUCK ENDOWMENT FOR UNITED WAY MORGAN DALE ROEBUCK ENDOWMENT FOR THE SALVATION ARMY RUTH AND CLAUDE ROEBUCK ENDOWMENT FOR SALTILLO FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SHOCKWAVE AQUATICS COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT TCPS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE ENDOWMENT FUND TOYOTA EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT ENDOWMENT FUND TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENDOWMENT FUND HARRY AND ELLEN WALKER ENDOWMENT FUND DUDLEY WEATHERS ENDOWMENT FUND WEITZENHOFFER MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND WEST UNION ENDOWMENT FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION WHITFIELD LEADERSHIP FUND WILDROSE DIABETIC ALERT DOG ENDOWMENT FUND R.J. WILEMON FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND (CARE) HARRY LEE WILLIAMS, SR. ENDOWMENT FUND (CARE) KENNETH AND NANCY ANN WILLIAMS ENDOWMENT FUND

Endowment Funds Endowments 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 supporrt now and in the future through interest income from the endowment, with the principle remaining untouched.

Endowment Funds 31

$12.9 million contributions

$7.6 million grants

NET ASSETS

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, 2014. Complete audited financials are available at www.createfoundation.com or may be obtained by calling the CREATE office at 662.844.8989.

$100

$85.8 $76.3 $53.7

$50 $28.3 $25

2000

2013

2014

CONTRIBUTIONS (in millions) $20 $15

$12.9

$12.6 $10.1

$10 $5

$2.2 2000

32 Financial Report

2010

2010

at a glancE

Investment Performance LETTER FROM Buddy Montgomery Investment Committee Chair CREATE Foundation

(in millions)

$75

2014

2013

2014

Dear Friends, In 2014, the market continued to experience positive growth. For the year, the CREATE portfolio was up 5.38 % net of investment fees. Hardy-Reed, our investment managers, performed well as the portfolio outperformed at the fund objective and better than other community foundations our size based on an industry survey.

Nearly $4.5 million was contributed to our pooled endowment fund and over $2.4 million was gained from investments.

Our investment committee meets quarterly with our investment advisors to review performance and changes in the market. We take our fiduciary responsibilities seriously and work to maximize investment returns through a prudent investment process.

Sincerely, Buddy Montgomery

$85.8 million net assets

$53.9 million endowments total

170

endowment funds 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 increase long-term investment performance by diversifying the portfolio, evaluating investment management fees, and selecting investment managers.

198 175 special project funds

donor advised funds

Charity Navigator Certification

National Standards Compliance

In 2014, CREATE Foundation earned its eighth 4-star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its

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

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.

its commitment to financial security, transparency, and accountability.

Financial Report 33

Be a hero.

C

REATE Founder George McLean believed that by joining together, communities could cultivate leaders and heroes 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. So in the heroic spirit of George McLean, let’s continue to work together toward realizing his vision of progress, growth and vitality for our region.

do something

"I can where I am and light a candle, rather than curse the darkness."

George A. McLean, Founder CREATE Foundation

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 become a hero, 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

CREATE Northeast Mississippi’s Community Foundation