PRESS RELEASE
MERIDIAN, MS — The Community Foundation of East Mississippi (CFEM) hosted its annual
Designated Endowment Luncheon on Tuesday, February 24, at the Meridian Museum of Art to
recognize nonprofit organizations across the region that receive ongoing support through
charitable endowment funds established by local donors.
The event highlights the long-term impact of designated endowments — permanent charitable
funds created to provide annual support to specific organizations and causes in East Mississippi.
These funds help ensure stability and continued service for nonprofits working in areas such as
healthcare, education, the arts, youth development, community services, and economic
growth.
“What began as a single act of generosity has taken root and is now at work in our community,”
said Christin Waters, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of East Mississippi. “Each
endowment started as a donor’s belief in a cause or a future worth investing in. Today, those
seeds have grown into lasting commitments that provide annual support to organizations
serving East Mississippi.”
Through thoughtful stewardship and long-term investment, designated endowments generate
yearly distributions that help nonprofits maintain programs, expand services, and respond to
evolving community needs.
Organizations benefiting from these funds include agencies focused on youth services,
healthcare access, hunger relief, arts and culture, education, and community development
throughout East Mississippi.
The luncheon serves as both a celebration of donor legacy and a recognition of the nonprofit
partners who carry this work forward each year.
“Endowments are not one-time gifts — they are living commitments,” Waters added. “They
quietly but powerfully turn generosity into action, ensuring that the causes donors care about
continue to serve for generations.”
The Community Foundation of East Mississippi works with individuals, families, and businesses
to establish charitable funds that support local needs now and in the future.
For more information about establishing an endowment or supporting community initiatives,
visit www.cfem.org.
