The Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) is dedicated to growing philanthropy across South Mississippi by fostering charitable giving, empowering donors, and enhancing the community through managing and distributing charitable funds to improve the quality of life in South Mississippi.
A defining feature of Gulf Coast Community Foundation Inc is its heavy use of general support for local institutions, with Back Bay Mission receiving the largest recent awards at $2,259,098 in 2024 and $1,519,489 in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that is not limited to one program area; instead, it backs schools, human services organizations, housing groups, food relief providers, and community foundations across South Mississippi. Pearl River Community College received $322,168 in 2025, while Pascagoula - Gautier School District received $234,100 in the same year, showing that the foundation works at both the nonprofit and public-school levels. Other large awards in the recent grants list include funding for health and human services, community development, and education-related institutions. The foundation’s active grant programs also show a mix of donor-funded and competitive opportunities, including scholarship cycles and district-based grants for local nonprofits. Across the recent list, the grantmaking style is consistent: general operating support is common, and awards are directed to organizations serving communities within the Gulf Coast region.
Education is one of the clearest throughlines in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, it awarded $322,168 to Pearl River Community College for general support, and it gave $234,100 to Pascagoula - Gautier School District for the same purpose. School districts and education providers also appear elsewhere in the recent grants list, including Poplarville School District, Hattiesburg School District, Newton County Schools, and Forrest County Agricultural High School. Health and human services are another recurring theme. Back Bay Mission, Catholic Social and Community Services Inc, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Hancock County Food Pantry Inc, and Casa of South Mississippi all received general support, reflecting a funding pattern that reaches basic-needs and social-service organizations. The foundation also supports housing and community development through grants to Habitat for Humanity of the Ms Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity.
Typical awards cluster around modest operating grants: the 25th percentile is $9,478, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $22,774. The recent grant list also includes much larger general-support awards, which suggests a structure that combines routine smaller grants with occasional major commitments. The foundation’s funding is local, and the recipient list shows repeated support across multiple years for some organizations and school districts, including Back Bay Mission, Habitat for Humanity of the Ms Gulf Coast, Forrest County Agricultural High School, Newton County Schools, Poplarville School District, and Community Foundation of Washington Co. The foundation makes no program-related investments and does not fund individuals. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, while some umbrella grant opportunities do not.
$1.4M
$37.8M
$3M
$3M
Most grants fall between $9K and $23K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$23K
CHRISTEN DUHE'
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Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in Mississippi, with 96% of grants going to organizations in the HQ state. The top state by grant count is Louisiana, but the recent-grants list shown here is entirely U.S.-based. Within Mississippi, Biloxi, Poplarville, Pascagoula, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Bay St. Louis appear repeatedly among recipients. The foundation’s active programs also point to a Gulf Coast footprint across South Mississippi counties such as Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, Pearl River, George, and Stone.
The foundation supports schools, colleges, food and housing nonprofits, community service groups, and local foundations. Recent grants include general support for Back Bay Mission, Pearl River Community College, Pascagoula - Gautier School District, Habitat for Humanity of the Ms Gulf Coast, and Feeding the Gulf Coast.
Typical grants are modest: the 25th percentile is $9,478, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $22,774. Recent awards also include larger general-support grants, such as $2,259,098 to Back Bay Mission in 2024 and $1,519,489 in 2025.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Back Bay Mission in 2024 and 2025, Habitat for Humanity of the Ms Gulf Coast in 2023 and 2024, Forrest County Agricultural High School in 2024 and 2025, and Poplarville School District in 2023 and 2024.
Yes. Active programs include the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Scholarship Cycle and Scholarship Opportunities, both for qualifying students, and the Leo W. Seal Innovative Teacher Awards, which support creative educational projects for teachers and schools.
The grantmaking is local, and 96% of grants go to recipients in Mississippi. Recent recipients are clustered in cities such as Biloxi, Poplarville, Pascagoula, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Bay St. Louis, all within the foundation’s Gulf Coast footprint.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Gulf Coast Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants include nonprofit tax-exempt organizations improving quality of life in South Mississippi, organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, educators, and public or private schools on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Organizations must be located in the listed counties.
Deadline: August 1–October 31 annually; 2026 deadline is October 31.
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit tax-exempt organizations enhancing quality of life in South Mississippi, or organizations using a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent. Capital, operating, endowment fund drives, political activities, individuals, and religious activities are not funded.
Deadline: October 31, 2026.
Who can apply: Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities located in the listed counties and deliver programs for or with animals. Programs must benefit animal welfare; administrative fees must be 8% or less. Fundraising efforts are not supported.
Deadline: October 31, 2026.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GULFPORT, MS | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF THE MS GULF COAST INC | GULFPORT, MS | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEVY PREMIUM FOODSERVICE LP DBA LEVY CONVENTION CENTERS | BILOXI, MS | $66,279 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON CO | GREENVILLE, MS | $65,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CONVENTION DISPLAY SERVICES INC |
| JACKSON, MS |
| $50,000 |
| 2026 |
| GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF JACKSON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER PETS (FRIENDS) | OCEAN SPRINGS, MS | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY | MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS | $43,041 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MS COAST COLISEUM AND CONVENTION CENTER | BILOXI, MS | $42,260 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI | GULFPORT, MS | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CASA OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI | BAY ST LOUIS, MS | $34,725 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN HANCOCK COUNTY | BAY ST LOUIS, MS | $32,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEARL RIVER COUNTY SPCA INC | PICAYUNE, MS | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GWINNETT CHURCH OF CHRIST INC | LAWRENCEVILLE, GA | $28,750 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STONE COUNTY SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS | WIGGINS, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI SOUTH OXFORD CENTER | UNIVERSITY, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RISE AND SHINE RESCUE | LUCEDALE, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORREST COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL | BROOKLYN, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD | LONG BEACH, MS | $24,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SON OF A SAINT | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI | GULFPORT, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOCK ENTERPRISES INC | BILOXI, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STONE COUNTY SPCA | WIGGINS, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSISSIPPI UNITED METHODIST DISASTER RESPONSE INC | JACKSON, MS | $16,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IP CASINO | BILOXI, MS | $15,375 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STONE COUNTY COMMUNITY CAT SOCIETY | WIGGINS, MS | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GULFPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT | GULFPORT, MS | $14,820 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTH MISSISSIPPI VETERINARY CLINIC INC | PICAYUNE, MS | $11,859 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MS GULF RESORT CLASSIC FOUNDATION INC | DIBERVILLE, MS | $10,809 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GEIGER | CINCINNATI, OH | $10,493 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARDY AND ASSOCIATESARCHITECT PLLC | BILOXI, MS | $10,400 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ELITE SCREEN PRINTING LLC DBA ELITE SHIRT COMPANY | GULFPORT, MS | $10,365 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GULFPORT HIGH SCHOOL | GULFPORT, MS | $10,256 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PICAYUNE CARVER CULTURE CENTER INC | PICAYUNE, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEARL RIVER COUNTY 4-H ADVISORY COUNCIL | PICAYUNE, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST STANISLAUS COLLEGE | BAY ST LOUIS, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MISSISSIPPI HEROES | GULFPORT, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTH MS | GULFPORT, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GATEWAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TOOTLE FOOD PANTRY | GULFPORT, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRIUMPH CHURCH OF GULFPORT | GULFPORT, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMY FOR DYSLEXIA | OCEAN SPRINGS, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FOR PET'S SAKE RESCUE | LONG BEACH, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COASTAL CLEANUP PROGRAM | BILOXI, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BACK BAY MISSION | BILOXI, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FEEDING THE GULF COAST | THEODORE, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GULF COAST CENTER FOR NONVIOLENCE | BILOXI, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MANNA MINISTRIES INC | PICAYUNE, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MS COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION | JACKSON, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHRINE OF THE HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH | BILOXI, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FORGOTTEN INITIATIVE (TFI) | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HANCOCK COUNTY FOOD PANTRY INC | BAY ST LOUIS, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF THE MS GULF COAST INC
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LEVY PREMIUM FOODSERVICE LP DBA LEVY CONVENTION CENTERS
$66,279GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON CO
$65,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CONVENTION DISPLAY SERVICES INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF JACKSON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER PETS (FRIENDS)
$45,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
$43,041GENERAL SUPPORT
MS COAST COLISEUM AND CONVENTION CENTER
$42,260GENERAL SUPPORT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CASA OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
$34,725GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER IN HANCOCK COUNTY
$32,500GENERAL SUPPORT
PEARL RIVER COUNTY SPCA INC
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GWINNETT CHURCH OF CHRIST INC
$28,750GENERAL SUPPORT
STONE COUNTY SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI SOUTH OXFORD CENTER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RISE AND SHINE RESCUE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FORREST COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
$24,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SOCK ENTERPRISES INC
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STONE COUNTY SPCA
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISSISSIPPI UNITED METHODIST DISASTER RESPONSE INC
$16,500GENERAL SUPPORT
IP CASINO
$15,375GENERAL SUPPORT
STONE COUNTY COMMUNITY CAT SOCIETY
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GULFPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT
$14,820GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI VETERINARY CLINIC INC
$11,859GENERAL SUPPORT
MS GULF RESORT CLASSIC FOUNDATION INC
$10,809GENERAL SUPPORT
GEIGER
$10,493GENERAL SUPPORT
HARDY AND ASSOCIATESARCHITECT PLLC
$10,400GENERAL SUPPORT
ELITE SCREEN PRINTING LLC DBA ELITE SHIRT COMPANY
$10,365GENERAL SUPPORT
GULFPORT HIGH SCHOOL
$10,256GENERAL SUPPORT
PICAYUNE CARVER CULTURE CENTER INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PEARL RIVER COUNTY 4-H ADVISORY COUNCIL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST STANISLAUS COLLEGE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MISSISSIPPI HEROES
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTH MS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GATEWAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TOOTLE FOOD PANTRY
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TRIUMPH CHURCH OF GULFPORT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LIGHTHOUSE ACADEMY FOR DYSLEXIA
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FOR PET'S SAKE RESCUE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COASTAL CLEANUP PROGRAM
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GULF COAST CENTER FOR NONVIOLENCE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MS COUNCIL ON ECONOMIC EDUCATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SHRINE OF THE HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE FORGOTTEN INITIATIVE (TFI)
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HANCOCK COUNTY FOOD PANTRY INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
