2012 Annual Report

give. serve. lead.

It’s what we do together.

1972-2012

C R E AT E F O U N DAT I O N

n

ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Board Officers (L to R) Greg Pirkle, Vice Chairman Eddie Prather, Secretary Robin McCormick, Treasurer Tommy Tomlinson, Chairman Mike Clayborne, President Sandy Williams, Past Chairman

Our Story 1972-2012

George A. McLean 1904-1983

“We must help all people achieve a decent standard of living.�

George McLean CREATE Inaugural Meeting, 1972

Forty years ago, our founder

of what promises to become

George McLean had a dream

an even greater organization.

that working together we

Thank you for being part of

could help make life better for

our history. Thanks to those

all the people in our region.

who planted seeds, to those

By pooling our resources, we

who believed in the dream

could create a lasting legacy

of our founders, and to those

of innovative and progressive

who have faithfully persisted

Forty Years of Leadership

leadership for our region. To-

in serving, in giving, and in

The Commission

day, nearly $100 million later,

supporting our foundation.

we can declare that dream a

You are the real heroes, and

1972-2012

2-9

Directors

10-11

Affiliate Funds

12-15

Marchbanks Fund

16-18 19 20-21

of the past 40 years and look

Donor Advised Funds

22-23

forward to an even brighter

Endowments

24-25

we celebrate your successes

significant difference. can look back and count

Forty Years of Giving

Toyota Fund

reality. Your gifts have made a At the 40 year mark, we

CONTENTS

future together.

Forty Years of Service

our successes: programs launched, scholarships grant-

Tommy Tomlinson,

McLean Awards

ed, social services improved,

Chairman

Supporting Organizations 28

leaders developed, and people

Scholarships

of all ages better trained and

Mike Clayborne,

educated. What a difference

President

your gifts have made!

This is the first 40 years

26-27

29

NEMYF

30-31

Financial Report

32-33

1972 “We cannot build a better world on a foundation of ....

1976 A $27,000 grant was awarded to Wood Junior College.

CREATE’s net assets beginning in 1972 were $1,492. By 1979, assets had grown to $912,122.

2 www.createfoundation.com

to

1979

1972 French Camp Academy received a $27,000 grant.

1973 $100,000 was raised locally for the development of the Ole Miss Tupelo Campus.

....poverty, ignorance, poor health and spiritual indifference.�

George McLean, CREATE www.createfoundation.com 3

1980 “If a child doesn’t learn to read and compute at the beginning of his education....

1983 A $75,000 grant was given to start AEE, the Association for Excellence in Education.

1988 A $17,000 grant was given to the Yocona Area Council Boy Scouts of America.

1987 $125,000 was given to the Lee County Library.

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to

1989 1985 A $35,000 grant was given to the Tupelo Community Theater.

1980’s $255,289 was given for the Lee County Teacher Reading Aide Program. This grant made it possible for every child to receive at least three hours of reading instruction daily which resulted in all students reading at or above the national norm on the CAT. By 1980, assets were $1.2 million.

By 1989, assets had reached $12.9 million.

1985 A $15,000 grant was given to Habitat for Humanity.

....he is handicapped forever.�

George McLean, 1979 www.createfoundation.com 5

“I can do something where I am...

1990

1997 The Community Affiliate program was established by Keirsey McLean with a $1.5 million challenge grant that included a $750,000 Journal, Inc. gift.

CARE (Corinth Alcorn Reaching for Excellence) along with TARGET (Tippah and Ripley Growing Excellent Together) were the first two community affiliates established.

1997-1999 The Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi received grants totalling $65,000.

By 1999, CREATE assets had reached $16.2 million.

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to

1999 1990’s The Family Resource Center received grants totalling $151,000. The Family Resource Center provides free services that support healthy family development.

1995 The Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi was formed to help lead community development in the region. Its 53 volunteer members are from the 17-county region CREATE serves.

...and light a candle rather than curse the darkness.�

George McLean, 1979 www.createfoundation.com 7

2000

“We should be trying to inspire our young people that life does not consist of the 2001 abundance of possessions...

The Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation was established to help students understand the impact of giving back to their communities. The NEMYF endowment fund is now more than $84,000.

2010 The $50 million Toyota Education Enhancement Endowment Fund was established to benefit students and educators in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union counties. Toyota will donate $5 million a year for ten years.

CREATE assets had reached $28,308,904 by 2000. By 2012, assets had reached $64,560,166.

8 www.createfoundation.com

to

2012

2005 The $8.7 million Marchbanks Endowment Fund was established by the estate of John Marchbanks, a native of Shannon, Mississippi. John and his wife, Frances, wanted to help improve the lives of the people of this region. Since 2005, nearly $1.2 million has been disbursed in grants from the Marchbanks Fund.

2009 Author Elaine Dundy left more than $600,000 to the CREATE Foundation.

Dundy became friends with local Elvis historian Roy Turner in 1981. Their friendship resulted in the Elaine Dundy and Roy Turner Endowment for the Arts.

..but the life you have lived, the service you have rendered�

George McLean, Founder www.createfoundation.com 9

forty years of Directors F

or forty years, the CREATE Foundation Board of Direc-

tors has been committed to serving all the people of our region.

All of the directors are community leaders and volunteers with keen insight into regional needs and opportunities. Many share experi-

Johnny L. “Chip” Crane President F.L. Crane & Sons Fulton

John Creekmore Attorney Creekmore Law Office, PLLC Amory

Billy Crews Vice President Teach For America Oxford

W. G. “Mickey” Holliman Octavious Ivy Retired Chairman Clinical/Support Services Furniture Brands International NMMC Tupelo Tupelo

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

Bobby P. Martin Chairman of the Board, The Peoples Bank Ripley

Jack Reed, Sr. Chairman Reed’s Tupelo

Cathy Robertson Executive Vice President BancorpSouth Tupelo

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

ence and expertise in financial and legal matters. They are donors themselves, demonstrating that their commitment extends to sharing their own financial resources.

The caliber of CREATE’s leadership is often a key reason for donor confidence in the foundation.

CREATE Founders George A. McLean 1904-1983 Anna Keirsey McLean 1906-2000 Directors Emeritus Felix Black 1917-2003 Jim Ingram 1930-2006 James Hugh Ray 1927-2007 J.C. Whitehead 1921-2004

10 www.createfoundation.com

Eddie Prather Consultant The Excellence Group Tupelo

Melvin C. Ray, Ph.D. Associate Vice President for Economic Development Mississippi State University Starkville

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

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

Ronny Rowland Manager Prentiss County Electric Power Association Booneville

Kenny Dill Retired West Point

Robin McGraw Chairman & CEO Renasant Bank Tupelo

David Rumbarger President & CEO Community Development Foundation Tupelo

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

Hassell H. Franklin CEO Franklin Corporation Houston

Buddy Montgomery Aubrey Patterson President Chairman of the Board First National Bank of Pontotoc BancorpSouth Pontotoc Tupelo

Tommy Tomlinson Division President Renasant Bank Starkville

Betsey Hamilton Community Volunteer New Albany

Greg Pirkle Attorney Phelps Dunbar, LLP Tupelo

H.L. “Sandy� Williams, Jr. Guy Mitchell, III President Board Counsel Coca Cola Bottling Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P. A. Works Corporation Tupelo Corinth

serving others www.createfoundation.com 11

forty years of

FIRST Foundation Receives the James Hugh Ray Award IRST Foundation, the CREATE af-

F

architect and advisor for establishing the

the Itawamba Symphony Project, the

filiate for Itawamba County, received

CREATE Foundation. Like Mr. Ray,

Harden House (home for girls), and Food

the 2012 James Hugh Ray Community

FIRST (Friends of Itawamba Respond-

Pantries East and West. FIRST also

Affiliate Award. The award commemo-

ing to Secure Tomorrow) Foundation

placed defibrillators in all area schools,

rates James Hugh Ray’s many contribu-

has distinguished itself as an organization

provided hygiene packs to all classrooms,

tions to our region and to the CREATE

of integrity. Established in 2008, FIRST

and gave to many other worthy projects.

Foundation. Mr. Ray served with loyalty

Foundation continues to impact Itawam-

and integrity on both the Journal and

ba County with significant contributions

CREATE Boards and became the legal

to the ICC Tuition Guarantee Program,

12 www.createfoundation.com

Community Affiliates

This past October, Lafayette Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow (LOFT) began partnering with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC) to host a wine-tasting fundraiser, 3 Blind Wines. Teams compete in the fundraiser by placing their favorite wines in a taste test against other teams’ wines. Teams sample the wines and vote for their favorite, with the team whose wine receives the most votes winning one bottle of all the other teams’ wines. “The arts council is a great partner,” says Laura Moore Parkinson, executive director of LOFT. LOFT recently received new grant applications from groups with projects designed to impact all ages and people in Lafayette County.

For forty years, the Foundation has worked to improve the region through community development. Establishing the Community Affiliate program in 1997 created a vehicle for strengthening regional development. The program provides support for individual counties in our region that want to start their own community foundation. To help affiliates get started, CREATE provides a $100,000 matching grant for communities raising $2oo,ooo in unrestricted endowed funds. Affiliates also enjoy the advantages of financial management and staff support to help fulfill their local goals. Twelve community affiliates are currently in this program.

Affiliate Endowment Balances Alcorn County-CARE $1,246,053.24 Corinth-Alcorn Reaching for Excellence Calhoun County $229,929.31 Calhoun County Endowment Fund Chickasaw County-PACE $409,997.73 Partners in Achieving Community Excellence Clay County West Point Community Foundation

$1,047,864.29

Itawamba County-FIRST $573,973.25 Friends of Itawamba Responding to Secure Tomorrow Lafayette County-LOFT $636,308.82 Lafayette/Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow Lowndes County Lowndes Community Foundation Attendees at CREATE’s annual Fall Summit are encouraged to light a candle in our region by making a difference in their communities. Representatives from all 17 counties CREATE serves attended the event. (Top left) Jason Wallace, FIRST Foundation Chairman, and other members of FIRST, accept the James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award.

Monroe County $305,324.93 North Monroe County Community Fund $162,944.42 South Monroe County Community Fund $142,380.51 Oktibbeha County-SOAR $301,101.80 Starkville-Oktibbeha Achieving Results Tippah County-TARGET $333,453.53 Tippah and Ripley Growing Excellent Together Union County-UNITE $496,643.45 Union County/New Albany Initiative to Excel www.createfoundation.com 13

Community Affiliate Boards ALCORN (CARE) Hull Davis Clayton Stanley Thomas L. Sweat 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 Joel McNeece Martha Martin Lorna Reifers Melany Shankle Michael Watkins Eric Weeks Bill Williams, Co-chair 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 Robin McCormick, Chair Louise Campbell, Executive Director ITAWAMBA (FIRST) Catherine Adams Patti Davis Bennett Joey Cox Laken Dobbs Romona Edge Teresa Floyd Julia Grimes

14 www.createfoundation.com

Ginger Howell Sid Kirksey Matt Kline George Marquis Teresa McNeece Luke Montgomery Brian Quinn Jeffrey Strunk Jason Wallace, Chair Bryan Wilson Cindy Wilson LAFAYETTE (LOFT) Ben Bolton Bette Butler Michael Joe Cannon Walt Davis Timka Davis Anne Fair Julie Field Dotsy Fitts Teresa Flautt Sam Haskell Richard Howorth Jean Jordan, Chair Jacqui Lear 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 Alma W. Turner Bain Nickels Barbara Bigelow Birney Imes Bobby Harper Brenda Howard Charlie Box John T. Frazier Helen Pridmore Jim Davidson John Jones Mary Alexander Nancy Carpenter

Perrin Smith Rob Graham Stevan Black Stewart Stafford Tom Buckley NORTH MONROE Mary Baxter John Clingan Mary Lib Francis Art Gentry Steve Greenhaw Dottie Haney, Vice Chair Bo Miller Geneva Moon Larry Palmer Dr. Len Pinkley, Chair Tony Poss Deborah Rogers Angie Stevens Sam Stevens SOUTH MONROE 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 Omis Avant Larnzy Carpenter Dora Herring Pat Lane Jim Lytle Fenton Peters 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 Duane Bullard, Executive Director UNION (UNITE) Mike Alef Jack Brown James (Bo) Collins Chuck Cooper Joe Davis Cathy Garrett Jay Herrington, Chair Bobby Moore Phil Morris Thad Mueller Eleanor Ray Rodney Shands Bill Smallwood Anne J. Stephens Travis Wiseman Collette Cross, Executive Director

give. serve. lead.

Serving others through regional community development has been an important goal of the Foundation for forty years.

Our Community Affiliate program was established to provide a development vehicle for individual counties in our region. CREATE supports 12 community affiliate programs in eleven counties. Please consider serving your community by volunteering at your local community affiliate. If you are interested in establishing an affiliate program in your county, please contact the CREATE Foundation at 662.844.8989.

After Lowndes Community Foundation became CREATE’s twelfth community affiliate, John Jones, president, expressed his anticipation of great things to come for Lowndes County and CREATE.

CREATE Expands to Include Lowndes County

I

n October, the CREATE Board of Directors voted to expand the service area of the Foundation to include Lowndes County. In its 40 year history, the service area has been expanded only one other time when Oktibbeha County was added in 2001. With the addition of Lowndes County, CREATE now serves 17 counties with a total population of 550,000. John Jones, President of the Lowndes Community Foundation, announced that his organization’s board of directors has voted to become an affiliate of the CREATE Foundation.

Five people from Lowndes County have recently been elected to key positions within the foundation. Bobby Harper (pictured left) was elected to the CREATE Board of Directors.

Bobby Harper, a long-time banker and community leader was recently elected to the CREATE Board of Directors. He currently serves as Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer at Renasant Bank in Columbus.

Four new members of CREATE’s Commission were also recently elected by the CREATE Board. Nick Ardillo, Allegra Brigham, Birney Imes, and Hilbert Williams were named to multi-year terms.

regional impact www.createfoundation.com 15

forty years of

(Above) Dr. Mark Keenum, President, Mississippi State University, and Dr. Dan Jones, Chancellor, University of Mississippi, joined forces to form the MSU-UM Task Force on Regional Development. The Task Force seeks to create change for our region through improving the education and economic levels of north Mississippi residents.

(Right) The CREATE Board recently elected four new Lowndes County members for its Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi.

Nick Ardillo, Allegra Brigham, Birney Imes, and Hilbert Williams (not pictured) were named to multi-year terms.

16 www.createfoundation.com

The Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi F

or the last forty years, the Foundation has worked to unite the region through effective, collaborative leadership.

Established in 1995, the Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi functions as the program arm of CREATE. Its purpose is to strengthen regional unity through community development. To achieve its purpose, the Commission studies regional data, identifies key issues, sets regional goals, and recommends solutions to the issues being addressed. Its 53 volunteer members are from the 17-county region that CREATE serves. The Commission’s overall goal is to dramatically increase the region’s per capita income. Over the last five years, the Commission has focused most of its time and energy on initiatives that are designed to improve educational quality and attainment.

DROPOUT PREVENTION SUMMIT The sixth annual summit was held in February with almost 30 school districts and communities represented. The audience heard innovative approaches to dropout prevention, including high quality early

education programs, the concept of using graduation coaches, an innovative tutorial program championed by Three Rivers PDD and its partners, and an effective economic education program.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SUMMIT The Commission has a history of supporting the development of high quality early childhood programs. The Commission has utilized Marchbanks Fund grants to support Baby Steps in Okolona, MSU’s Early Childhood Institute, and Mississippi Building Blocks.

MSU-UM TASK FORCE Both universities’ top administrators continue to work on joint initiatives designed to improve the quality of life in our region.

The most recently announced effort was the creation of the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching program which is designed to attract top honor students to careers in teaching in our state. Over the next five years, 100 honor freshmen at each university will be selected to the program which features full scholarships and extra programming designed to produce a steady stream of outstanding Mississippi teachers.

Awareness of the importance of this issue is growing in Mississippi. To help focus more attention on this critical issue, the Commission sponsored an early childhood summit in Tupelo on September 19. The summit attracted participants from colleges, universities, public schools, child care centers, and regional leadership. A leading national expert on early childhood, Steve Suitts of the Southern Education Foundation, was the keynote speaker.

STATE OF THE REGION Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert, education consultant Dr. Mike Ward, and national business leader Jim Barksdale (pictured left) highlighted the annual State of the Region meeting which focuses on raising awareness and suggesting solutions for key issues.

A printed report containing key regional data is distributed at the meeting. County reports are placed online for easy access, as well. www.createfoundation.com 17

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 Kenny Dill Eddie Longstreet Itawamba B.J. Canup Dr. David Cole, Jr. Lafayette Bea Daniels Dr. Gloria Kellum Randy Leister Lee Grace Clark Billy Crews Glenn McCullough, Jr. (Chair) Guy Mitchell, III Judge Rickey Thompson Marshall Dr. Gemma Beckley Mayor Andre DeBerry Sarah Sawyer Monroe Skip Miles Dr. Lavon Fluker-Reed Jean Pinkley Oktibbeha Rhonda Keenum Terry Kemp Dr. Tommy Stevenson Pontotoc Phyllis Ford High Judge James L. Roberts, Jr. Prentiss Dr. Johnny Allen Ronny Rowland Tippah Duane Bullard Kyle Smith Tishomingo Greg Pharr Mike Webb Union Betsey Hamilton Phil Morris At Large Hassell Franklin Bobby Martin (Vice Chair) Denotee Martin Eddie Prather Bill Renick Emeritus Jack Reed, Sr. Sandy Williams University Andy Mullins, UM Kyle Steward, MSU 18 www.createfoundation.com

TUITION GUARANTEE PROGRAM The Commission’s Tuition Guarantee Program provides two years of tuition-free college at one of four area community colleges.

In 2012, the fifth class of community college freshmen took advantage of the Tuition Guarantee Program, an idea that first surfaced in a 1996 Commission meeting.

Roughly 2600 students from 15 counties were covered during the 2012 fall semester by this program in the four community colleges serving our region. Students in the program from Lee and Monroe Counties also received a book allowance.

The Commission and the CREATE board have endorsed the concept of expanding this into a Mississippi-wide statefunded program.

The Early Childhood Summit featured Gilmore Foundation Executive Director Danny Spreitler who explained why it takes a village to educate our children.

regional unity

forty years of

John and Frances Marchbanks Endowment Fund H

elping others is the heart of our mission. For forty years, CREATE has been a vehicle for charitable giving joining with others from our region to help provide opportunities that might otherwise be impossible.

John Marchbanks, a native of Shannon, Mississippi, believed in giving back to his community. He maintained a deep love for the area where he grew up, although he had not lived there for more than 60 years.

John 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,

Mr. and Mrs. Marchbanks left a gift of $8.7 million to benefit the region.

Grants In 2012, grants were given to three Shannon High School graduating seniors in the form of a scholarship. Other grants were given to support the following: the Community Development Foundation, the United Way Back-to-School Resource Fair, the Itawamba Community College Foundation, Inc., LIFE (Living Independence For Everyone), the Shannon

(L-R) Shannon High School Seniors Courtney Floyd, Chickory Copeland, and Aaliyah Donaldson were each selected to received a $5,000 Marchbanks college scholarship May 10, 2012.

The Lee County Tuition Guarantee program is also supported by a Marchbanks grant in the amount of $150,000. The Lee County Tuition Guarantee program provides two years of tuition-free college at Itawamba Community College.

In 2012, more than $265,000 in grants was awarded from the John and Frances Marchbanks Endowment Fund.

We believe Mr. and Mrs. Marchbanks would be very pleased with the impact their gift is making to help others improve their lives.

Community Walking Track, and the Lee County Excel by 5 Coalition.

helping others

www.createfoundation.com 19

forty years of Toyota Education Enhancement Endowment Fund T

he commitment of Toyota to establish a $50 million endowment over ten years at CREATE Foundation is one of the most extraordinary gifts to support public education in the history of our state. Toyota asked CREATE to do three things: 1) ensure a $50 million endowment will be in place at the end of ten years; 2) use the earnings of the fund to enhance public education in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union counties; 3) spend the money fairly and equitably among the counties.

CREATE established an advisory committee to make recommendations to the CREATE Board on ways the money should be spent. Advice was sought from the eight school districts in the counties and from other education experts around the country.

Curriculum Audit & Tool Kit Development The first education enhancement project was a curriculum management audit conducted by Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International. Each of the eight school districts in the PUL Alliance Counties participated.

As a result of the audit, a select group of English I & II teachers and curriculum directors from all eight districts met regularly to develop a curriculum tool kit for teachers that aligns with state testing. Similar plans have been made for each subject area.

Feedback from teachers involved in this project revealed that they felt this was the best professional development they had ever experienced.

20 www.createfoundation.com

Forum on the Future of Education With more than 1200 in attendance, Dr. Bill Daggett, Director of the International Center for Educational Leadership, led the Forum which was held at the BancorpSouth Arena in October 2012. Dr. Daggett explained the coming education changes, the impact they will have on curriculum and instruction, and ways that the nation’s most rapidly improving schools are preparing to meet those challenges successfully. This event resulted from the school district teams’ attendance at the Model Schools Conference in June 2012.

Model Schools Conference The Toyota Committee helped sponsor travel and registration costs for teams from each of the school districts in Lee, Pontotoc, and Union counties to attend the conference in Orlando this past June.

The conference highlights cutting-edge schools that are ahead of the curve in preparing for the Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Assessments, and teacher evaluations based on student performance.

Toyota Education Enhancement Endowment Fund Advisory Committee Reggie Collums Pontotoc, Mississippi David Copenhaver Tupelo, Mississippi Doug Formby Vice President Administration Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc. Blue Springs, Mississippi Mike Staten BNA Bank New Albany, Mississippi The Wellspring Center for Professional Futures Finding innovative solutions to the challenges that face our region has been an integral part of CREATE’s history. Motivating students to stay in school and graduate continues to be a challenge for our region. We believe the Wellspring Center will provide the kind of motivation and enhancement our students need to succeed both now and in the future.

The Wellspring Center is a high-school level advanced career center. The Center will expose students to professional careers through innovative teaching and hands-on learning.

Ex-Officio Members Greg Pirkle Partner, Phelps Dunbar, LLP Tupelo, Mississippi Dr. Lynn House Interim State Superintendent of Education Jackson, Mississippi Committee Advisors Dr. Larry Anderson Founder/Director National Center for Technology Planning Tupelo, Mississippi Mike Clayborne President, CREATE Foundation Tupelo, Mississippi

Common Core Seminar Dr. Bill Daggett and other representatives from the International Center for Leadership in Education led a day-long seminar to help the PUL region educators better understand the impact of the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core Standards have been adopted by 45 states in the nation and implementation has already begun in several states. The Common Core Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn so that teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers.

Dr. Chuck Garrett Senior Consultant Wellspring Center for Professional Futures New Albany, Mississippi

innovation

www.createfoundation.com 21

forty years of

Donor Advised Funds ANONYMOUS FUND ANNA MIZE ADAMS AND PAUL LOUIS ADAMS ADVISED FUND SAM AND SALLEY AGNEW ADVISED FUND JOHN R. AND MARY FICKLIN ARNOLD ADVISED FUND AT&T ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. ALAN BANK ADVISED FUND BECKLEY FAMILY ADVISED FUND ALFORD AND SHELIA BELL ADVISED FUND SARA AND MONTGOMERY BERRY ADVISED FUND BIRTHDAY CLUB 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 BULLARD FAMILY ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. JOHN G. BURT ADVISED FUND CARL BUSH ADVISED FUND FRED BUSH, JR. FAMILY 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 DR. AND MRS. JOHN DAVID CREWS ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM L. CREWS ADVISED 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

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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 E. GLENNAN AND JANICE W. GRADY ADVISED FUND ALBERT AND BILLIE GREEN ADVISED FUND BETSEY AND TOM HAMILTON 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 SARA M. AND HOWARD R. HINDS ADVISED FUND BABS AND MICKEY HOLLIMAN ADVISED FUND HUNSBERGER/ADKINS JOY ADVISED FUND NANCY INGRAM ADVISED FUND ITAWAMBA GOOD WORKS FUND - MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL WALDORF CHARLES AND JOYCE JOHNSTON ADVISED FUND JO ANN R. JONES ADVISED FUND MRS. E.L. JOYNER ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. ERNIE JOYNER, III ADVISED FUND MR. AND MRS. LARRY KIRK ADVISED FUND LANE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES ADVISED FUND HOWARD AND SYLVIA LENHOFF FAMILY TRUST ADVISED FUND PHIL AND VICKIE LITTLE ADVISED FUND LONG DISTRIBUTORS CORINTH ADVISED FUND RANDY 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 ROBIN AND MIMI MCGRAW ADVISED FUND REV. BARBARA S. AND J. CHESTER MCKEE ADVISED FUND ED AND HELEN MEEK ADVISED FUND ANN PHILLIPS AND HUGHES MILAM 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

MRS. MARY P. SCOTT ADVISED FUND

JENNIFER MOONEYHAM ADVISED FUND

MR. ROBERT H. SCOTT ADVISED FUND

MOSSY OAK FOUNDATION DONOR ADVISED FUND

ROBERT W. AND KATHLEEN SEYMOUR ADVISED FUND

BOBBY J. AND MINERVA MOORE ADVISED FUND

CROFTON AND CAMILLE SLOAN ADVISED FUND

PHIL AND SUSAN MORRIS ADVISED FUND

JANE SPAIN ADVISED FUND

MARY AND SAM PACE ADVISED FUND

ALICE STAFFORD ADVISED FUND

PALMER FAMILY FUND

STAGGERS ADVISED FUND

DAVID M. PALMER ADVISED FUND

KATY AND CLAYTON STANLEY ADVISED FUND

RAYBURN PARKS ADVISED FUND

THOMAS L. STENNIS ADVISED FUND

MR. AND MRS. AUBREY B. PATTERSON ADVISED FUND

MRS. ANNE J. STEPHENS ADVISED FUND

PEOPLES BANK CHARITIES ADVISED FUND

SARA STEPHENS ADVISED FUND

GREG AND LISA PIRKLE ADVISED FUND

JOHN P. AND LINDA C. SULLIVAN ADVISED FUND

JOYCE AND HAL POLK ADVISED FUND

MARTHA SWINDLE ADVISED FUND

LAURIE POWELL DONOR ADVISED FUND

GEORGE M. AND BETTY B. TAYLOR ADVISED FUND

EDDIE AND PRISCILLA PRATHER ADVISED FUND

NELLAH TAYLOR AND J. MARK MERRITT ADVISED FUND

MELVIN AND VALERIE RAY ADVISED FUND

PAUL S. THOMAS, III ADVISED FUND

R.W. REED COMPANY ADVISED FUND

SANFORD AND SUSAN THOMAS ADVISED FUND

DAKIN REED ADVISED FUND

DENNIS AND BETH TOSH ADVISED FUND

JACK AND LISA REED ADVISED FUND

MRS. BILLIE H. WADLINGTON ADVISED FUND

MR. JACK REED, SR. ADVISED FUND

ELLEN WALKER ADVISED FUND

LILLA REED ADVISED FUND

DR. AND MRS. RICHARD WARRINER ADVISED FUND

SCOTT AND ANNETTE REED ADVISED FUND

MR. AND MRS. HEYWOOD WASHBURN ADVISED FUND

SARAH DILL REILY ADVISED FUND

CHARLES WEATHERLY ADVISED FUND

MR. AND MRS. ROBERT RICE, JR. ADVISED FUND

WILLIAM GRAHAM AND MARTHA F. WELLS ADVISED FUND

JOE K. ROBBINS, JR. ADVISED FUND

MARY AND CHARLES WERNER ADVISED FUND

MR. AND MRS. BRITT ROGERS, III ADVISED FUND

LEWIS WHITFIELD ADVISED FUND

MR. AND MRS. JOHN JAMESON ROGERS ADVISED FUND

DR. AND MRS. FAYETTE WILLIAMS ADVISED FUND

DOROTHY D. AND GEORGE H. RUFF FOUNDATION

MR. AND MRS. H.L. (SANDY) WILLIAMS ADVISED FUND

ADVISED FUND

MR. KENNETH WILLIAMS ADVISED FUND

DAVID AND DONNA RUMBARGER (GRACE ADVISED FUND)

MR. AND MRS. W.T. WILLIAMS, III ADVISED FUND

JOE RUTHERFORD ADVISED FUND

give. serve. lead.

Giving back to your community is easy with an Advised Fund. You can add to the fund whenever you wish and make grant recommendations at your convenience. Another advantage is that appreciated securities may be used to create the fund. These donations are not subject to capital gains tax; and in most cases the full-market value is tax deductible. All donations are deductible at the time they are made to the Foundation; however, gift disbursements may be made at a later date.

giving back

BOBBY MOONEYHAM ADVISED FUND

www.createfoundation.com 23

forty years of

Endowment Funds BOOTH FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND BRYAN YOUTH CENTER ENDOWMENT FUND 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 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN-CORINTH SPECIAL MISSIONS ENDOWMENT FUND FOX FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT FUND JOHN PAUL FRERER MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND THE BERNICE GAMBRELL ENDOWMENT FUND INGOMAR ENDOWMENT FOR EXCELLENCE INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND FRANCES ELKIN JOYNER ENDOWMENT FUND LQC LAMAR HOUSE ENDOWMENT FUND ALICE LITTLE ENDOWMENT FUND BETH MCAULEY MUSIC ENDOWMENT FUND SUSAN N. AND THOMAS J. MCDONALD ENDOWMENT FOR THE TUPELO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ED AND BECKY MEEK ENDOWMENT FUND SARA FRANCES MITCHELL EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND MIZE FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND MONROE EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND JOHNNY MORGAN FOUNDATION 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 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 TCPS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE ENDOWMENT FUND TOMMY TOSH MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND TOYOTA EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT ENDOWMENT FUND TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ENDOWMENT FUND HARRY AND ELLEN WALKER ENDOWMENT FUND DUDLEY WEATHERS ENDOWMENT FUND WHITFIELD LEADERSHIP FUND JIMMY WILLIAMS MEMORIAL EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND (CARE) HARRY LEE WILLIAMS, SR. ENDOWMENT FUND (CARE) KENNETH AND NANCY ANN WILLIAMS ENDOWMENT FUND

24 www.createfoundation.com

The Sanctuary Hospice House offers end-of-life care for patients and their families. The facility serves individuals from 33 Mississippi counties.

An organizational endowment fund at CREATE helps provide support for this important facility.

In September, the 2012 Teacher of Distinction Award winners were announced. The awards are funded by B & B Concrete, Inc.; BancorpSouth; Booth Family Endowment Fund; Pat and Jennifer Caldwell; Innovations in Education Endowment Fund; Mitchell, McNutt and Sams Law Firm; Marilyn and Bob Monroe Endowment Fund; Reed Family Trust Endowment Fund; Renasant Bank; Tupelo High School Alumni Association; Tupelo Kiwanis Club; Tupelo Rotary Club; Tupelo Public Schools Administrative Council; and Jimmy Williams Memorial Education Endowment Fund.

The Teacher of Distinction Awards program was established to honor and recognize outstanding teachers from the Tupelo Public School District.

The Regional Rehabilitation Center provides free services for individuals with disabilities. It is supported through an organization endowment fund at CREATE that helps support non-profits by providing yearly investment income for the organization to use. The endowment remains intact providing a permanent pool of funds to support the organization into the future.

Organization Endowments ALPHA HOUSE AGENCY ENDOWMENT FUND BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ENDOWMENT FUND BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ENDOWMENT FUND BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NEW ALBANY ENDOWMENT FUND BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OXFORD FACILITY ENDOWMENT FUND FORTNIGHTLY MUSICALE ENDOWMENT FUND GARDNER-SIMMONS HOME FOR GIRLS AGENCY ENDOWMENT GARDNER-SIMMONS BUILDING ENDOWMENT FUND GOOD SAMARITAN FREE CLINIC ENDOWMENT FUND GUMTREE MUSEUM OF ART ENDOWMENT FUND BROTHER MIKE MARECLE ENDOWMENT FUND (HOPE FAMILY MINISTRIES) JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF TUPELO ENDOWMENT FUND LINK CENTRE LOUISIANA-MISSISSIPPI-TENNESSEE KIWANIS FOUNDATION FUND NEW BEGINNINGS ENDOWMENT FUND NEWMS ENDOWMENT FUND OXFORD-LAFAYETTE HUMANE SOCIETY ENDOWMENT FUND PROJECT HOPE ENDOWMENT FUND REGIONAL REHABILITATION ENDOWMENT FUND SANCTUARY HOSPICE HOUSE ENDOWMENT FUND STARKVILLE KIWANIS CLUB ENDOWMENT FUND TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL MINISTRIES TUPELO COMMUNITY THEATRE ENDOWMENT FUND TUPELO/LEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY ENDOWMENT FUND TUPELO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ENDOWMENT FUND UNION COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM AGENCY ENDOWMENT FUND UNITED WAY ENDOWMENT FUND UNITED WAY OF OXFORD-LAFAYETTE COUNTY

purpose

The Tupelo Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing quality classical music for the citizens of northeast Mississippi. Its endowment fund at CREATE is providing support for the symphony now and will continue to do so for years to come.

WILDROSE DIABETIC ALERT DOG ENDOWMENT FUND

The Yocona Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America is dedicated to helping boys become men. With a permanent endowment fund remaining with CREATE, the Council can continue offering character development, leadership training and adventure experiences for young men in our region both now and in the years to come.

YOKNAPATAWPHA ARTS COUNCIL AGENCY ENDOWMENT FUND

www.createfoundation.com 25

forty years of

McLean Award F

or the past forty years, CREATE has celebrated the generosity that characterizes our many donors. The McLean Award for Philanthropy was established to honor those individuals, families, and organizations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people working to improve the quality of life in their communities and in our region. This year’s awards were presented to an outstanding couple from Tupelo.

Ruby Kathryn and Aubrey Patterson When Ruby Kathryn and Aubrey Patterson moved to Tupelo 40 years ago, they were looking for the right place to raise their then two small children. “We were looking for a place with traditional values, a commitment to family life and community building,” Aubrey Patterson said. “We’ve never been disappointed in Tupelo or Northeast Mississippi.”

Ruby Kathryn and Aubrey Patterson receive the 2012 McLean Award for Philanthropy.

Over the years the Pattersons have given back to the community not only financially but with their time and talent. There are few organizations in Northeast Mississippi that haven’t benefited from the Patterson’s generosity. The Pattersons have provided support for the Salvation Army, Tupelo Public Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, Regional Rehabilitation Center, Boy Scouts, the University of Mississippi, the CREATE Foundation, and many other organizations in our region.

“To the extent that we’ve been blessed and able to make a small contribution to the community, it’s the rent we pay for the space we occupy here,” said Aubrey Patterson, chairman and chief executive officer of BancorpSouth. “We’ve received much more than we’ve ever given.”

26 www.createfoundation.com

The Landmarks entertain at CREATE’s Fall Summit with their version of southern gospel music.

Community Partner Award

T

he Community Partner Award recognizes

ing organization. It has also provided grants for

organizations which have given extraordi-

workforce development projects sponsored by the

nary support to the Commission on the Future of

Commission. ARC facilitated a $100,000 soft-

Northeast Mississippi in accomplishing its mis-

ware grant from Microsoft for CREATE and its

sion. This year’s award goes to ARC Appalachian

affiliates. For the past 18 years, ARC has been an

Regional Commission. ARC provided resources

active partner with the Commission in bringing

to help fund the Commission on the Future of

together the economic developers in the region to

Northeast Mississippi while it was still a develop-

address issues and formulate solutions.

generosity

(Clockwise) CREATE Board Vice Chairman Greg Pirkle reviews the success of the Foundation’s fund development over the last twelve years at the annual fall summit. The Tupelo Public School District Strings perform dinner music at CREATE’s annual Fall Summit. Mike Armour and Sandra Perkins accept the 2012 Community Partner Award for ARC.

www.createfoundation.com 27

forty years of Supporting Organizations

F

or the past forty years, CREATE has offered support for organizations that want the benefit of a non-profit foun-

dation without actually starting one themselves. Without the annual tax reporting, auditing, and administrative costs of maintaining a private foundation, supporting organizations of CREATE can put even more of their dollars to work enhancing and improving the quality of life for northeast Mississippi residents.

CREATE is the umbrella for two supporting organizations.

The Benjamin and Corinne Pierce Foundation The Pierce Foundation was established by Corinne Pierce in memory of her husband, Benjamin, to commemorate his commitment to community and to honor his civic leadership. The 2012 Pierce grants and scholarships exceeded $329,667, making the total investment by the Pierce Foundation in Alcorn County more than $3.7 million.

The Henry Mize Foundation The Henry Mize Foundation was established in 2003. Mr. Mize’s nephew, Paul “Buzzy” Mize, established the charitable foundation because it was his uncle’s wish to continue to provide

Corinth Theater Arts presents the musical “Footloose.” Corinth Theater Arts has provided quality arts exposure and entertainment in Corinth and Alcorn County for more than 40 years. As a proud supporter of the arts in Corinth and Alcorn County, the Pierce Foundation is an annual donor for Corinth Theater Arts.

funding to the organizations that he loved. “By establishing this foundation, Uncle Henry was certain that these meaningful institutions would continue to receive his support,” said Buzzy Mize. The 2012 Mize Foundation grants exceeded $194,000, making the total investment to our region more than $3.3 million.

The Mize Pavilion, a multi-purpose facility on the Mississippi State University campus, is funded by a generous grant from the Henry Mize Foundation. The Mize Pavilion is used primarily as a practice facility for MSU’s basketball team.

28 www.createfoundation.com

Scholarship Funds

BOB AND MARILYN MONROE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

AMORY ROTARY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

PATTERSON MEMORIAL STRINGS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

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

TAYLOR MOORE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND CHARLIE NELMS SCHOLARSHIP FOR ENGLISH MAJORS RYAN PETTIT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AMANDA PRICE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT MR. AND MRS. B.L. RIEVES SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND KAROL JEAN VOGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND WINIFRED AND MAYFIELD RILEY TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP

DR. AND MRS. WALTER BOURLAND SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT MARSHUAN BRAXTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND COACH JOE BRIGANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND LARRY BROWN CREATIVE ARTS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT TIMMY BRYANT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (TARGET) MARGARET BYRAM SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND BYRNE-FIELD SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND ERNEST CADDEN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT CLAUDIA RUTH CASTENIR SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND M. GLEN AND LORA H. DAVIDSON SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND RUSSELL DORMAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND EVA ANN BEASLEY DORRIS SCHOLARSHIP FUND DOUGHERTY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND PATRICIA “ROBIN” DOWS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS SCHOLARSHIP DARREN FENTON NAYC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

TODD HARDIN MEMORIAL LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

Nettleton High School Senior Ashley Pitts (back row center) received the Winifred and Mayfield Riley Travel Scholarship. She traveled to France, Germany, and Switzerland in March, 2012. For more than forty years, CREATE has helped provide support for thousands of students through educational scholarships.

CAROLINE BRYAN HARRELL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND

MR. AND MRS. TOM ROBINSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ALLIENE GIBENS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT KIM GREEN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT ROBBY HALE “MAKE A DIFFERENCE” MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT

THE MARY KIRKPATRICK HASKELL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND JEFFREY HINES HOPPER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND EMILY WRIGHT HORNE MEMORIAL FUND KELLEY ELIZABETH HUMPHREYS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND SHEILA HUTCHESON AND JAKE MAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND M & F BANK - JIM AND NANCY INGRAM SCHOLARSHIP FUND ROWLAND JOYNER LEARNING SKILLS ENDOWMENT JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF TUPELO SCHOLARSHIP FUND JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF WEST POINT/MATT POSEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND JORDAN LINDSEY CHRISTIAN CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT TONY LAUNIUS SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND SAMUEL N. LOGGAINS NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FRANCES MALLORY SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND MCCARTY COMPANY SCHOLARSHIP FUND J.C. MCDANIEL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND EMILY MCDONALD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND MISSISSIPPI FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND MISSISSIPPI PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP MISSISSIPPI THEATRE ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND KAYLA SUE MIZE SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND ELISE MOBLEY SCHOLARSHIP FUND (PACE)

GEORGE H. SCHULTZ SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND DAVID SKINNER SCHOLARSHIP FUND TYLER SLOAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT STUBBS SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND TEACHER OF DISTINCTION AWARD FROM TPSD ADMINISTRATION JOHN N. TODD MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND TUPELO LUNCHEON CIVITAN SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT 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

support www.createfoundation.com 29

forty years of Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation F

or forty years CREATE has sought ways to develop effective community leaders. CREATE founder George McLean believed that our young people possess amazing leadership potential. Developing that potential has been a basic goal of the Foundation.

Established in 2001, the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation is helping to fulfill that goal. NEMYF is a youth-led organization comprised of eleventh and twelfth grade students from the 17 counties CREATE serves. Students learn about philanthropy and community involvement by building their own endowment fund and awarding grants to organizations in their counties. Now in its eleventh year, NEMYF is a dynamic youth organization that is having a real impact in our region. Members are encouraged to look outside their own neighborhoods, schools, and groups of friends to help raise awareness of the needs in our region and to award grants to those with the greatest need.

30 www.createfoundation.com

2012 GRANTS Alcorn County Crosswind Ministries: $159 Crosswind is an outreach ministry that serves low-income apartment facilities. The grant was used to purchase household items for gift baskets for families living in these apartments.

Benton County All About Kids: $500 Benton County is the second poorest county in the state. All About Kids provides warm clothing and nutritious food for children to take home in their backpacks for the weekend.

Chickasaw County Chickasaw County Soccer Association: $159 The CCSA operates under the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association and consists of co-ed teams of youth aged 4 to 16 years. The scholarships provide opportunities for under-privileged children to play soccer.

Clay County West Point/Clay County Animal Shelter: $159 The Animal Shelter is in its second year and is funded entirely by charitable donations.

Tippah County Good Samaritan Center of Ripley: $500 The Center is a food pantry that provides groceries to low income families.

Koon’s Care Free Clinic: $500 This clinic is for people who need medical care but cannot afford it. A donated building that will be used for clinic space is currently being renovated.

Union County Union County Good Samaritan Center: $500 This food pantry provides groceries to low income families and serves 410 families per month. Volunteers pass out 10,000 pounds of food per month and offer limited assistance with power bills.

Board of Directors Alcorn County Katelyn Miller Benton County Cheyenne Jones Lindsey Ormon Gwin Moore Chickasaw County Cameron Byrne Sydney Harrell Trey Franklin Paige Griffin

Clay County Lauren Billington Bryan McClellan, Asst. Treasurer Stephen Ross, Asst. Historian Itawamba County Summer Bouchillon Cortney Foote Bethanie Harris Laine Wilson Lafayette County Karli Gaillard, Treasurer

Hunter Knight Alex Drewrey Patricia Ward Demetrius Plaxico Meghan Sharp Lee County Kerston Jumper Zierra Long, Historian Matthew Amann Ben Matthews Alivia Roberts Grant Thornton

(Photos) NEMYF kicks off the year with a fall retreat at Ole Miss Outdoors Rebel Challenge. Students gain confidence and learn to work together through individual and team-building challenges.

Grant checks are presented to local agencies at our April press conference.

Monroe County Raimi Bryan Taylor Hyland Oktibbeha County Mary Kate Hughes Jordan Cohen Pontotoc County Merideth Adams Tyra Floyd Alex Buckner Emily Holcomb Robin Shumaker Caleb Warren, Vice Chair

Tippah County Seth Cappleman, Secretary Meg Lambert Page Rowland, Chair Zoe Windham, Asst. Secretary

Union County Carol Coker Julianna Garner Kellie McClelland Jodie McMillen Meredith Mueller Megan Swain Drew Warford

Tishomingo County Cecilia Dean Annsley McRae

leadership www.createfoundation.com 31

FINANCIAL MILESTONES

Net Assets Contributions Grants Endowments - number Endowments - amount Donor Advised Funds

2000

2009

2010

2011

2012

Percentage change from 2000

Percentage change from 2011

$28,308,904

$44,144,381

$53,723,287

$56,489,923

$65,286,923*

131%

16%

$2,234,555

$5,277,037

$12,647,155

$9,659,149

$9,042,407

305%

-06%

$1,747,212

$3,993,176

$7,667,602

$5,969,016

$5,349,702

206%

-10%

36

113

127

135

144

300%

7%

$3,770,948

$16,968,962

$25,600,631

$28,958,846

$36,713,754

874%

27%

53

184

147**

149

157

196%

5%

29

136

166

185

207

614%

12%

Special Projects

*Does not include $10 million Pierce and Mize Supporting Organizations. **Retired several funds that were inactive or transferred into other funds.

Investment Performance LETTER FROM Buddy Montgomery Investment Committee Chair CREATE Foundation Dear Friends, In 2012, the market has continued the process of rebounding from the worst economic recession in seventy years.

For the year, the CREATE portfolio was up 13.05%. Our managers performed well as the portfolio outperformed the fund objective. Over $5.6 million was contributed to our pooled endowment fund and over $3.9 million was gained from investments.

Our investment committee meets quarterly with our investment advisors to review performance. We take our fiduciary responsibilities seriously as we work to maximize investment returns through a prudent investment process.

Sincerely, Buddy Montgomery

32 www.createfoundation.com

Center for Fiduciary Excellence Certification The Center for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) has certified the general investment account of the CREATE Foundation, Inc. CREATE Foundation is the first foundation in the world to successfully complete the independent 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.

Charity Navigator Certification

National Standards Compliance

In 2012, CREATE Foundation earned its sixth 4-star rating for the ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.

Only a small percentage of the charities rated have received six 4-star evaluations, indicating that CREATE Foundation consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms most other charities in America.

“This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator differentiates CREATE Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” reported Ken Berger, President & CEO, Charity Navigator.

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. “When people use CREATE Foundation to make a charitable bequest, establish a fund, or make a contribution, they do it knowing that we have met standards for donor services, investment management, grantmaking, and administration. The National Standards Seal is excellent validation of the work we do on behalf of our donors and our community,” says Mike Clayborne, president.

CONTRIBUTIONS 2000

$2,234,555

2006

$4,969,348

2007

$5,197,226

2008

$3,239,825

2009

$5,277,037

2010

2011

2012

$0

$12,647,155* $9,659,149 $9,042,407

$4,000,000

$8,000,000

$12,000,000

$16,000,000

*Total contributions for 2010 included two major projects: the Fulton Playgarden Park and the MSU Mize Pavilion.

NET ASSETS 2000

$28,308,904

2006

$48,480,874

2007

$50,680,684 $40,005,185

2008 2009

$44,144,381

2010

2011

2012

$0

$25,000,000

$53,723,287 $56,489,923 $65,286,923

$50,000,000

$75,000,000

$100,000,000

Net Assets do not include $10 million Pierce and Mize Supporting Organizations.

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 unqualified opinion on the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. Complete audited financials are available at www.createfoundation.com or may be obtained by calling the CREATE office at 662.844.8989. www.createfoundation.com 33

1972-2012 give. serve. lead.

For more than forty years, CREATE and its partners have given, served, and led to help make a difference in the quality of life we all enjoy in the northeast Mississippi region.

CREATE offers a wide range of opportunities for you to get involved in your community.

Please join us in making our next forty years as remarkable as the first. Together we can build a better world. For information on how you can give, serve, and lead, please contact us.

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 213 West Main Street PO Box 1053 . Tupelo, MS 38802 662.844.8989 Fax: 662.844.8149