The Mississippi Power Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on local Gulf Coast community needs, primarily funding United Way-led human services and workforce/education initiatives at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Their support appears structured as large matching gifts that leverage other fundraising (employee/community campaigns and education matching programs), indicating a preference for catalytic investments that amplify partner fundraising. Grants are highly local and mission-focused rather than broadly distributed across causes or geographies.
A $385,263 matching payment program to United Way of South Mississippi is the largest recent grant on record for Mississippi Power Foundation Inc, and it captures a central pattern in the foundation’s giving: it uses sizable matches to amplify local fundraising rather than spreading funds broadly. The foundation’s recent support is anchored in the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with Gulfport-based institutions and community organizations appearing repeatedly in the grants list. Alongside United Way funding, the foundation has backed Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation through a matching education gift program, and it has extended similar match-driven support to Mississippi State University Foundation and Pearl River Community College Development Foundation. That education giving is paired with community investments that sit close to the foundation’s local footprint, including workforce, student success, and basic-needs efforts. The recent record also shows support for minority business grants, disaster response, and community projects tied to place-based needs in Mississippi towns and counties. Across these awards, the foundation appears to favor partner-led programs where its dollars can be matched, combined, or used to support a defined local initiative.
Education and student support are a consistent thread. Mississippi Power Foundation Inc gave $315,500 to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation for a matching education gift program, and $109,500 to East Central Community College Foundation for a heritage scholarship for underprivileged students. It also supported Mississippi State University Foundation with a matching education gift program and Southern Company joint scholarship program. Community development and small business support show up in several local awards. The foundation gave $100,000 to Partnership Foundation Inc for small minority business grants in Forrest and Lamar counties, and $50,000 to Hancock Cty Community Development Foundation for chamber of commerce rent assistance programs and minority business grants. A separate $50,000 grant to City of Wiggins funded FAADE grants for local businesses. It also funds civic, cultural, and environmental projects. Grants include $100,000 to Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum to expand operations to include a STEM lab, $50,000 to Main Street Pascagoula for downtown revitalization phase 3, and $35,000 to Piney Woods Conservation Group to conserve and protect open and green places of environmental significance in the Pinebelt.
$2.2M
$65.1M
$17.3M
$2.8M
Most grants fall between $3K and $21K, with a median of $6K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$6K
75th Percentile
$21K
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Highly concentrated: only two sizable grants in the dataset, both large matching-style awards to established local institutions. Prioritizes repeatable, catalytic match funding rather than many small or national grants.
Notable grantees: United Way of South Mississippi, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation
Typical awards are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $2,500, a median of $6,000, and a p75 of $21,196. The recent grant list also shows a few larger catalytic gifts, especially where the foundation is matching another fundraising stream or supporting a named program. Recipients appear in multiple years: United Way of South Mississippi and Mississippi State University Foundation both received grants in 2023 and 2024, and United Way for Jackson & George Counties appears across those same years as well. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. The pattern suggests repeated, relationship-based grantmaking rather than one-off competitive awards.
Giving is heavily concentrated in Mississippi, with 90% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Gulfport appears often, including awards to United Way of South Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation. Other recurring recipient cities include Hattiesburg, Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Mississippi State. Beyond the Gulf Coast, awards also landed in Decatur, Poplarville, Laurel, Wiggins, Vicksburg, Leakesville, Bay St. Louis, Jackson, and Meridian. The grant list is entirely U.S.-based.
The recent grants show repeated support for United Way affiliates, community college foundations, and local community-development groups. Examples include a $385,263 matching payment program to United Way of South Mississippi, a $315,500 matching education gift program to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundation, and grants to local organizations for minority business support, downtown revitalization, and basic-needs services.
The foundation’s typical award profile is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $6,000 at the median, and $21,196 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes several much larger matching or program-specific grants, such as awards above $100,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including United Way of South Mississippi, United Way for Jackson & George Counties, and Mississippi State University Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-time gifts.
Giving is highly local and concentrated in Mississippi. The data shows 90% of grants going to recipients in MS, with awards in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Pascagoula, Biloxi, Mississippi State, and other Mississippi cities. All listed grants are to U.S. recipients.
Recent grants support education and scholarships, minority small business development, disaster response and human services, STEM learning, downtown revitalization, environmental protection, and mental-health training for first responders. Named examples include scholarship support at East Central Community College Foundation, small business grants through Partnership Foundation Inc, and first responder mental-health training through Center for Transformational Resilience.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi | Oxford, MS | $400,500 | 2026 | Contribution for the new Patterson School of Accountancy |
| United Way of South Mississippi | Gulfport, MS | $295,969 | 2026 | 2025 Matching Gift Program Project Share Infusion Paymentto assist qualifying customers for assistance with their electric bills |
| Mississippi State University Foundation | Mississippi State, MS | $250,000 | 2026 | Anthony and Tonya Wilson Endowed Fund for Bully's Pantry |
| United Way of East Mississippi | Meridian, MS | $130,096 | 2026 | Matching Gift Program. Project Share Infusion Payment to assit qualifying customers for assistance with their electric bills |
| Mississippi Aquarium | Gulfport, MS | $125,000 | 2026 | Increase aquarium traffic during customer appreciation |
| Open Doors Homeless Coalition | Gulfport, MS | $80,000 | 2026 | Start up expense for 80 families who have received free housing through grant |
| Mississippi State University | MS State, MS | $51,600 | 2026 | 2025 Education Match Program |
| Main Street Pascagoula | Pascagoula, MS | $50,000 | 2026 | Facade grant for small business improvements around the Amtrax Station |
| Meridian Restoration Foundation Inc | Meridian, MS | $50,000 | 2026 | Phase II of the Merrehope Home Restoration Project |
| Picayune Main Street | Picayune, MS | $50,000 | 2026 | Facade Grants for Picayune downtown historic district |
| Hancock County Community Development Foundation | Saint Louis, MS | $50,000 | 2026 | Small Business Grants |
| Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Region | Gulfport, MS | $35,000 | 2026 | Directed to Boys and Girls Club of Gulf Coast and Southeast Atlanta Mission Support |
| East MS Business Development Foundation | Meridian, MS | $30,000 | 2026 | Finalize engineering & design for unexpected drainage & storm water at the downtown alley project |
| The Nature Conservancy | Madison, MS | $30,000 | 2026 | Support environmental conservation programs |
| South Central MS Consortium for Educational Excell | Hattiesburg, MS | $30,000 | 2026 | Contribution for the Making Connections annual teachers conference |
| EXCEL by 5 Inc | Jackson, MS | $30,000 | 2026 | Prepare families with 0-5 age children to enter school with the skills they need |
| The Trust for Public Land | New York, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | Save the Forks of the Road Project |
| Foundation for Rush Inc | Meridian, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | Ochsner Rush's Project Inspire Support |
| United Way of Jackson & George Counties | Pascagoula, ME | $25,000 | 2026 | Small business facade grants, Ocean Springs Chanber |
| Extra Table Feeds | Hattiesburg, ME | $25,000 | 2026 | Contribution for food insecurity during holiday season |
| Meridian Community College Foundation | Meridian, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | Support Tuition Guarantee Program |
| CASA of Hancock County | Findlay, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | Support abused/neglected children |
| Propel Education Forum of Mississippi Inc | Jackson, MS | $25,000 | 2026 | Support WorkFuture Institute for Workforce & Education Excellence |
| Main Street Poplarville | Poplarville, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | Facade grants for Main Street in Poplarville |
| American Heart Associatio | Gulfport, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | Donation to AHA Coast Heartwalk/Heart Gala and AHA |
| Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum | Biloxi, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | Sea & Sail adventure camp for underprivileged children |
| Hope Haven of Hancock County | Waveland, MA | $20,000 | 2026 | Renovate family room used for interviewing children's abuse cases |
| CASA of Southeast Mississippi | Pascagoula, MS | $20,000 | 2026 | Support abused/neglected children. |
| National Audubon Society Inc | New York, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | Environmental Program Support |
| Walter Anderson Museum of Art Inc | Ocean Springs, MS | $15,000 | 2026 | Toward the Public Art Enterprise Program and MS Science Fest |
| Community Connection Pine Belt Chapter | Gulfport, MS | $14,000 | 2026 | Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundatio | Gulfport, MS | $12,500 | 2026 | Scholarship Program Contribution |
| United Way for Jackson George Greene Counties | Pascagoula, MS | $10,470 | 2026 | 2025 Matching Gift Program |
| Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks | Jackson, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | Support enhancing, protecting state's marine interests |
| Piney Woods Conservation Group | Hattiesburg, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | Promote, conserve, protect open spaces |
| Program Believe | Biloxi, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 Support for Children's Summer Camp Experience |
| Land Trust for the MS Coastal Plain | Biloxi, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | Support resources to conserve and restore lands within the Coastal area |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston, MS | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 June - September Education Match Program |
| Harrison County School District | Gulfport, MS | $9,100 | 2026 | 2025 Environmental Grant |
| Community Connection General Office | Gulfport, MS | $8,600 | 2026 | Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion |
| Mississippi Wildlife Federation | Jackson, MS | $7,500 | 2026 | Support Conservation efforts yearly contribution |
| Wild at Heart Rescue | Vancleave, MS | $6,000 | 2026 | Conservation programs around the avian species |
| Community Connection East MS Chapter | Gulfport, MS | $6,000 | 2026 | Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion |
| Community Connection Coast Chapter | Gulport, MS | $5,600 | 2026 | Community Connection Yearly Chapter Infusion |
| Alcorn State University | Lorman, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | June-Sept Education Match Program |
| Community Connection JacksonGeorge County | Gulfport, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion |
| East MS Foothills Land Trust | Meridian, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | Support conservation efforts yearly contribution. |
| The Salvation Army | Jackson, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | Support family, youth and adult services administered through Salvation Army |
| 2nd Chance MS Inc | Madison, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | Contribution for further training of low income ad |
| EDUCATE Social & Public Policy Inc | COMO, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | Support college & career readiness workshops to advance workforce opportunities |
University of Mississippi
$400,500Contribution for the new Patterson School of Accountancy
United Way of South Mississippi
$295,9692025 Matching Gift Program Project Share Infusion Paymentto assist qualifying customers for assistance with their electric bills
Anthony and Tonya Wilson Endowed Fund for Bully's Pantry
United Way of East Mississippi
$130,096Matching Gift Program. Project Share Infusion Payment to assit qualifying customers for assistance with their electric bills
Mississippi Aquarium
$125,000Increase aquarium traffic during customer appreciation
Open Doors Homeless Coalition
$80,000Start up expense for 80 families who have received free housing through grant
Mississippi State University
$51,6002025 Education Match Program
Main Street Pascagoula
$50,000Facade grant for small business improvements around the Amtrax Station
Meridian Restoration Foundation Inc
$50,000Phase II of the Merrehope Home Restoration Project
Picayune Main Street
$50,000Facade Grants for Picayune downtown historic district
Hancock County Community Development Foundation
$50,000Small Business Grants
Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Region
$35,000Directed to Boys and Girls Club of Gulf Coast and Southeast Atlanta Mission Support
East MS Business Development Foundation
$30,000Finalize engineering & design for unexpected drainage & storm water at the downtown alley project
The Nature Conservancy
$30,000Support environmental conservation programs
South Central MS Consortium for Educational Excell
$30,000Contribution for the Making Connections annual teachers conference
EXCEL by 5 Inc
$30,000Prepare families with 0-5 age children to enter school with the skills they need
The Trust for Public Land
$25,000Save the Forks of the Road Project
Foundation for Rush Inc
$25,000Ochsner Rush's Project Inspire Support
United Way of Jackson & George Counties
$25,000Small business facade grants, Ocean Springs Chanber
CASA of Hancock County
$25,000Support abused/neglected children
Propel Education Forum of Mississippi Inc
$25,000Support WorkFuture Institute for Workforce & Education Excellence
Main Street Poplarville
$20,000Facade grants for Main Street in Poplarville
American Heart Associatio
$20,000Donation to AHA Coast Heartwalk/Heart Gala and AHA
Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum
$20,000Sea & Sail adventure camp for underprivileged children
Hope Haven of Hancock County
$20,000Renovate family room used for interviewing children's abuse cases
CASA of Southeast Mississippi
$20,000Support abused/neglected children.
National Audubon Society Inc
$15,000Environmental Program Support
Walter Anderson Museum of Art Inc
$15,000Toward the Public Art Enterprise Program and MS Science Fest
Community Connection Pine Belt Chapter
$14,000Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Foundatio
$12,500Scholarship Program Contribution
United Way for Jackson George Greene Counties
$10,4702025 Matching Gift Program
Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks
$10,000Support enhancing, protecting state's marine interests
Piney Woods Conservation Group
$10,000Promote, conserve, protect open spaces
Program Believe
$10,0002025 Support for Children's Summer Camp Experience
Land Trust for the MS Coastal Plain
$10,000Support resources to conserve and restore lands within the Coastal area
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
$10,0002025 June - September Education Match Program
Harrison County School District
$9,1002025 Environmental Grant
Community Connection General Office
$8,600Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion
Mississippi Wildlife Federation
$7,500Support Conservation efforts yearly contribution
Wild at Heart Rescue
$6,000Conservation programs around the avian species
Community Connection East MS Chapter
$6,000Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion
Community Connection Coast Chapter
$5,600Community Connection Yearly Chapter Infusion
Community Connection JacksonGeorge County
$5,000Community Connection Chapter Yearly Infusion
East MS Foothills Land Trust
$5,000Support conservation efforts yearly contribution.
The Salvation Army
$5,000Support family, youth and adult services administered through Salvation Army
2nd Chance MS Inc
$5,000Contribution for further training of low income ad
EDUCATE Social & Public Policy Inc
$5,000Support college & career readiness workshops to advance workforce opportunities