Mississippi Main Street Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION IS TO BE A CATALYST FOR THE PRESERVATION AND ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION OF MISSISSIPPI'S HISTORIC DOWNTOWNS AND DISTRICTS.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 4.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 61%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 21
- Highest pay
- $94,299, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 80 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 76 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $293,516 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: DURING THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION (MMSA) PROVIDED COMMUNITY SERVICES TO ASSIST THE 80+ MEMBER PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE INCLUDING 48 DESIGNATED MEMBER PROGRAMS, FIVE NETWORK PROGRAMS, AND 32 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE. COMMUNITY SERVICES CONSIST OF IN-PERSON VISITS, ZOOM/PHONE CONSULTATIONS AND PROGRAM SERVICES THAT PERTAIN TO THE MAIN STREET APPROACH IN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION - ORGANIZATION, PROMOTION, DESIGN, AND ECONOMIC VITALITY. THESE COMMUNITY SERVICES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING AND/OR RESOURCE TEAMS, WORK PLANNING, EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS, GRANT MANAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE, DESIGN SERVICES AND TRAINING, STATEWIDE ADVOCACY ENDEAVORS, MARKET ANALYSIS, NEW DIRECTOR AND BOARD MEMBER TRAINING, REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES, FESTIVAL DEVELOPMENT AND/OR EVALUATION, SMALL EVENT DEVELOPMENT AND/OR EVALUATION, VOLUNTEER TRAINING, BUDGET DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, AND BUSINESS RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, AND EXPANSION ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER SERVICES AS REQUESTED BY THE LOCAL PROGRAMS.MMSA'S CORE VALUE IS BEING COMMUNITY-FOCUSED THROUGH OFFERING INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND FUNDING. MMSA PROVIDES TWO NEW DIRECTOR GROUP TRAININGS EACH CALENDAR YEAR, A NETWORK APPLICATION WORKSHOP, ADVOCACY TRAINING AND LEGISLATIVE DAY, QUARTERLY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AND AT LEAST ONE ON-SITE VISIT PER COMMUNITY AND OTHER DOWNTOWN SERVICES AS REQUESTED BY THE LOCAL PROGRAM DIRECTORS EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION, MMSA PROVIDES AN ON-SITE WORK SESSION, AS REQUESTED BY THE LOCAL DIRECTOR, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND GUIDANCE WITH THE LOCAL PROGRAM'S ANNUAL WORK PLAN. IN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE MMSA STAFF VISITED THE 48 DESIGNATED MAIN STREET COMMUNITIES AND FIVE NETWORK MEMBERS TO DELIVER THESE PROGRAM SERVICES. MMSA PROVIDED A FULL TRAINING CALENDAR FOR ALL MMSA MEMBERS AS WELL AS ON-SITE GRANT PROJECT FACILITATION IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES.STAFF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SERVING AS THE STATE COORDINATOR FOR MMSA AND LEADING THE ORGANIZATION'S ADMINISTRATIVE, ADVOCACY, AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS AS WELL AS IMPLEMENTING A STRATEGIC PLAN IN COORDINATION WITH THE MMSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF. THE DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND SERVICES PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, ADMINISTRATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDS FOR MMSA, INCLUDING ADMINISTERING FEDERAL, STATE, REGIONAL, LOCAL, AND PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING TO SUPPORT MMSA AND ITS MEMBER COMMUNITIES. THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION PLANS AND EXECUTES MMSA TRAININGS, CONFERENCES, AND SPECIAL EVENTS AS WELL AS COORDINATING MARKETING ENDEAVORS AND PROVIDING RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TO MEMBERS. THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVES AS THE LIAISON BETWEEN THE LOCAL MEMBER PROGRAMS AND STATE STAFF AND REPRESENTS MMSA IN A MYRIAD OF CAPACITIES IN THE FIELD. THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MANAGES MEMBER COMPLIANCE AND ONGOING OFFICE OPERATIONS. COMMUNITY SERVICES CONTINUED THROUGH IN PERSON MEETINGS AND EVENTS AS WELL AS VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND WEBINARS, IN ADDITION TO HUNDREDS OF PHONE CALLS AND EMAIL CONVERSATIONS.IN AUGUST 2024, THE DESIGNATED COMMUNITY APPLICATION FOR PASS CHRISTIAN WAS APPROVED BY THE MMSA BOARD, AND PASS CHRISTIAN MAIN STREET WAS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED IN JANUARY 2025. IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 2024, THE MMSA BOARD APPROVED FOUR NEW NETWORK MEMBERS (BRANDON, BAY SPRINGS, MAGEE, AND OLIVE BRANCH) TO THE ASSOCIATION, AND THESE MEMBERS WERE ONBOARDED IN JANUARY OF 2025. SEVERAL NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS TO THE ASSOCIATION WERE ADDED IN THE 2024- 2025 FISCAL YEAR, INCLUDING THE CITY OF CANTON/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, COMO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & MAIN STREET, TOWN OF DUCK HILL, ELLISVILLE MAIN STREET, CITY OF EUPORA, CITY OF GLUCKSTADT, CITY OF HAZLEHURST, CITY OF HOUSTON, PETAL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TOWN OF SCOOBA, SHELBY MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION, VISIT OXFORD, AND FONDREN RENAISSANCE FOUNDATION. IN MARKETING ENDEAVORS, MAIN STREET COMMUNITY FESTIVALS AND EVENTS WERE FEATURED ON "GOOD THINGS WITH REBECCA TURNER" EACH WEDNESDAY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH NOVEMBER OF 2024 AS WELL AS MARCH-JUNE OF 2025 ON SUPERTALK MISSISSIPPI. MMSA CELEBRATED ITS ANNUAL AWARDS IN JUNE 2025 AND RECOGNIZED 45 STATE AWARD WINNERS ACROSS MISSISSIPPI. THE VICKSBURG MAIN STREET PROGRAM WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS A SEMI-FINALIST FOR THE GREAT AMERICAN MAIN STREET AWARD (GAMSA) THROUGH MAIN STREET AMERICA. MMSA PLACED ADS IN THE 2024 AND 2025 OFFICIAL MISSISSIPPI TOUR GUIDE, MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL, MISSISSIPPI MAGAZINE, ELEVATION MAGAZINE, NORTHSIDE SUN'S EXPLORE MISSISSIPPI TO PROMOTE VISITING, LIVING, AND INVESTING IN MISSISSIPPI'S HISTORIC DOWNTOWNS. THE 2025 DIGITAL DOWNTOWN TOOLBOX WAS EMAILED TO ALL MMSA MEMBERS THAT LISTS COMPANIES AND THEIR SERVICES WHO CONTRIBUTE AS ANNUAL INVESTORS OF MMSA. MMSA PROVIDES CO-OP ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES TO MEMBERS WHERE MEMBERS CAN PARTICIPATE TOGETHER IN A JOINT AD AT A LOWER COST, AND MMSA COORDINATES THE AD PRODUCTION.IN 2024, MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET'S STATEWIDE ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM STATISTICAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FROM DESIGNATED AND NETWORK PROGRAMS GENERATED 371 NEW BUSINESSES, 891 NEW JOBS, 71 BUSINESS EXPANSIONS, 130 FAADE REHABILITATIONS, 657 DOWNTOWN LIVING UNITS, 127 NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, 119 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, $299 MILLION IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT, AND $357 MILLION IN PUBLIC INVESTMENT, AND 53,301 VOLUNTEER HOURS.
- $293,515 spent. TRAINING AND EDUCATION:LEGISLATIVE SITE VISITS WERE HELD TO EDUCATE STATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF MAIN STREET. THESE TOURS TOOK PLACE ON OCTOBER 23, 2024, IN CLINTON, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, IN BILOXI, AND NOVEMBER 20, 2024, IN BOONEVILLE.MMSA PROVIDES VALUABLE TRAINING TO ASSIST AND EQUIP DIRECTORS OF THE 80+ MEMBER MAIN STREET PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. CONTINUING EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO GROW IN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL IN DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION, AND MMSA REQUIRES EVERY DESIGNATED MAIN STREET PROGRAM TO EARN A MINIMUM OF FOUR POINTS EACH CALENDAR YEAR (NETWORK PROGRAMS MUST EARN THREE POINTS), AND DIRECTORS CAN CHOOSE FROM SEVERAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO RECEIVE THIS CONTINUING EDUCATION. MAIN STREET MEMBERS RECEIVE DISCOUNTS TO ATTEND MMSA TRAININGS.DESTINATION DOWNTOWN, AN ANNUAL TRI-STATE CONFERENCE WITH MAIN STREET ARKANSAS AND LOUISIANA MAIN STREET, WAS HELD IN VICKSBURG, MS WITH MORE THAN 300 REGISTRANTS FROM THE TRI-STATE AREA. EVERY DESIGNATED PROGRAM RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION TO ATTEND DESTINATION DOWNTOWN IN SEPTEMBER 2024. CONCURRENT SESSIONS WERE HELD ACROSS THREE DAYS WITH TOPICS PRESENTED BY 30 DIFFERENT SPEAKERS PERTAINING TO THE MAIN STREET FOUR POINT APPROACH AS WELL AS TOURS AND DOWNTOWN NETWORKING ACTIVITIES. ECONOMIC VITALITY TRAINING WAS HELD IN MERIDIAN IN NOVEMBER 2024 WITH 60 ATTENDEES. TRAINING TOPICS INCLUDED THE IMPACT OF THE REAL ESTATE GAME PLAN GRANT PROJECT IN MISSISSIPPI, MAKING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WORKS IN YOUR DISTRICT, USING HISTORIC TAX CREDITS AND PRO FORMAS AS INCENTIVES FOR REHABILITATION, AND REAL LIFE CASE STUDIES IN MERIDIAN, INCLUDING CASTLE, THREEFOOT BREWING COMPANY, AND THREEFOOT HOTEL. IN OCTOBER, MMSA STAFF PRESENTED AT THE MML SMALL TOWN CONFERENCE TO ELECTED OFFICIALS. MISSISSIPPI'S SHOP SMALL SATURDAY RETAIL INITIATIVE THE SATURDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING WAS PROMOTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAIN STREET AMERICA AND AMERICAN EXPRESS.IN JANUARY 2025, A DIRECTORS' RETREAT FOR DIRECTORS OF DESIGNATED AND NETWORK MAIN STREET PROGRAMS WAS HELD IN CLINTON WITH 62 IN ATTENDANCE. MMSA HOSTED AN ADVOCACY WEBINAR IN FEBRUARY OF 2024. A MAIN STREET LEGISLATIVE DAY WAS HELD WITH A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE MISSISSIPPI STATE CAPITOL FOLLOWED BY A LUNCHEON ON FEB. 19, WITH EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE FROM STATE LEGISLATORS AND LOCAL DIRECTORS. ORGANIZATION TRAINING WAS HELD IN PEARL IN MARCH IN COORDINATION WITH THE MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION WITH 80 IN ATTENDANCE. THE TRAINING FOCUS WAS BUILDING A THRIVING ORGANIZATION WITH STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS. THE NATIONAL MAIN STREET CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN PHILADELPHIA, PA IN MAY WITH 20 ATTENDEES FROM MISSISSIPPI. ONE SCHOLARSHIP WAS AWARDED TO THE OUTSTANDING MAIN STREET DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL MAIN STREET CONFERENCE.MMSA WORKS WITH MAIN STREET AMERICA TO EVALUATE EACH LOCAL PROGRAM FOR ANNUAL ACCREDITATION BASED ON SIX NATIONAL STANDARDS, AND THIS LIST OF NATIONALLY ACCREDITED COMMUNITIES WAS ANNOUNCED IN MAY 2025. THE 2025 ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON WAS HELD IN JACKSON WITH 327 ATTENDEES, AND 45 AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE. MMSA BOARD MEMBERS, INVESTORS, SPONSORS, LOCAL DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS, LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS, STATE AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PARTNERS ATTENDED THE CELEBRATORY LUNCHEON.
- $293,515 spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS/PARTNER COLLABORATION:IN THE 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR, THE MISSISSIPPI HILLS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA FUNDED TWO GRANT PROJECTS. THE FIRST GRANT PROJECT WAS THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC IMPACT MARKETING PIECES WHERE EACH DESIGNATED PROGRAM IN THE HILLS REGION RECEIVED MARKETING PIECES THAT CAPTURE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT STATISTICS FOR EACH COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION THAT CAPTURED THE COMMUNITY'S LOCAL ASSETS FOR PROMOTION. THE SECOND GRANT PROJECT WAS THE MISSISSIPPI REAL ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT GAME PLAN PROJECT FOR EIGHT COMMUNITIES IN THE HILLS REGION ($4,000 PER COMMUNITY) THAT CONSISTED OF A 1.5 DAY PROCESS INVOLVING MARKET DATA REVIEW, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WALKING TOUR AND PROPERTY RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING PRO FORMAS FOR 3-5 PROPERTIES IN EACH OF THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS.MMSA OPENED THE MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION GRANT PROGRAM (MMSRG) IN JULY OF 2024. THIS PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECTS IN MISSISSIPPI'S DESIGNATED MAIN STREET COMMUNITIES AND LATER EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL 501C3 OR C6 ENTITIES WITH DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION ORGANIZATIONS. GRANT FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS FOR ELIGIBLE PROJECTS UP TO $500,000 PER COMMUNITY. WITH THE 2024 GRANT PROGRAM, NINE MAIN STREET MEMBER PROGRAMS SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS THAT WERE VETTED BY THE MMSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND EIGHT WERE PUT FORTH TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE WITH A LIST OF THESE PRIORITIZED PROJECTS IN THE FALL OF 2024. ALL EIGHT PROJECTS WERE APPROVED IN HB1085 BY THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE FOR FUNDING IN APRIL 2025. HOWEVER, GOV. TATE REEVES VETOED THE BILL OVER LANGUAGE CONCERNS, AND MMSA AND MDA WILL WORK WITH HIS OFFICE TO UPDATE THE MMSRG LEGISLATION TO ENSURE FUTURE FUNDING OF PROJECTS. THE MISSISSIPPI MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION GRANT (MMSRG) PROGRAM EXISTS AS AN ONGOING PROGRAM UNDER STATE STATUTE TO PROVIDE FUNDS THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECTS IN MISSISSIPPI'S LOCAL MAIN STREET COMMUNITIES. THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL IN JUNE THAT INCLUDED $500,000 TO MMSA FOR STATEWIDE SUPPORT AND OPERATIONS.MORE THAN $8 MILLION DOLLARS IN ARPA FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO MMSA DESIGNATED COMMUNITIES BY THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE IN 2022 AND 2023 CONTINUE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE.THE MMSA TEAM PRESENTED ONE SESSION AT THE MISSISSIPPI MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE IN JANUARY 2025, WORKING TO EDUCATE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING MAIN STREET EFFORTS IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. MMSA STAFF REGULARLY SPEAK AT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY EVENTS ABOUT THE WORK OF MAIN STREET. MMSA PARTNERS REGULARLY ON SPECIAL PROJECTS AND TRAININGS WITH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES & HISTORY, MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MISSISSIPPI HERITAGE TRUST, MSU STENNIS INSTITUTE, MDA, FRED CARL JR. SMALL TOWN CENTER, MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION, AND THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION. MMSA SEES THESE PARTNERS AS EXTENSIONS OF MMSA STAFF AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. MMSA ALSO APPROVES PARTNER EVENTS AND CONFERENCES AS CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MAIN STREET DIRECTORS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1989.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.