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Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi Inc

EIN 94-3421724 · Hernando, MS

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONNECTING PEOPLE WHO CARE WITH CAUSES THAT MATTER BY PROVIDING RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP TO THE CITIZENS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN PRIMARILY AN 11-COUNTY AREA OF NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI.

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$7.4 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
69.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
11
Volunteers
20,255
Highest pay
$135,000, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 69.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
  1. $6.5 million spent. THE FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY PROGRAM WAS MAKING GRANTS TO VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS IN ORDER TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT ITS 11-COUNTY REGION. FOR THAT PURPOSE, THE FOUNDATION HAS ENCOURAGED PHILANTHROPY, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERMANENTLY ENDOWED FUNDS AMONG INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, CORPORATIONS AND OTHER FOUNDATIONS.
  2. $388,750 spent. THE FOUNDATION'S SECOND LARGEST PROGRAM WAS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THE INITIATIVE HELPED TO INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-WEALTH COMMUNITIES BY BUILDING ACCESS TO LIVING WAGE EMPLOMENT/ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS AND DEVELOPING A WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP IN SUNFLOWER COUNTY.
  3. $140,759 spent. THE FOUNDATION'S THIRD LARGEST PROGRAM WAS FEED NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC INCREASED THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO ARE IDENTIFIED AS FOOD INSECURE IN NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI. THE INITIATIVE BEGAN TO HELP PROVIDE FOOD TO PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO LOST ACCESS TO BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. GRANTS WERE MADE TO FOOD PANTRIES AND NON-PROFITS FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOOD, PALLET JACKS, FORKLIFTS, FREEZERS, DELIVERY VANS, AND OTHER ITEMS IN SUPPORT OF COMBATTING FOOD INSECURITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 2026.

  3. 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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 21, 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.