ALERT: Due to the market conditions in 2008-09, our grant dollars available for awards are less than hoped for by the Grants Committee. Therefore, the Committee has decided that for the time being in 2010, grant applications will be accepted in only the Discretionary Grants category following the instructions below. We look forward to the time the market improves, and we can resume funding according to our normal grant priorities.

Grant Categories:

• Discretionary Grants—The President of CREATE is allocated an amount each year for grants he can award according to the above guidelines. These grants cannot exceed $1,000, and are typically $100-500 in size. To apply for a Discretionary Grant, submit a letter of request to Mike Clayborne, President of CREATE at any time throughout the year.

• Unrestricted Grants—The amount in this grant pool is the net surplus budgeted for the year.  CREATE’s unrestricted resources are primarily assigned to working on the regional priorities of CREATE’s Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi.  These grants are typically $1,000 to $15,000 in size.  To apply for an Unrestricted grant, follow the Application Procedure below. 

• Marchbanks Helping Hand Grants—John B. Marchbanks, a native of Shannon, Mississippi, maintained a deep love for the area where he grew up, although he had not lived here for more than sixty years.  It was the desire of him and his wife Frances to help people overcome their problems, misfortunes, and handicaps, thereby assisting them to help themselves achieve a better life and become productive citizens.  With this goal in mind, the CREATE Foundation has established Marchbanks Helping Hand Community Grants that are awarded each year from the John and Frances Marchbanks Charitable Endowment Fund.  Each year from this grant pool, $150,000 is committed to the Lee County/Marchbanks Helping Hand Tuition Guarantee Program; and the remainder is awarded to charitable organizations who apply following the Application Procedure below.  The Marchbanks are a great example of how people who care deeply about their community can leave a lasting legacy of helping others. 

 
In addition to the general policies above, the following are the Marchbanks Grant priorities:

• Initiatives that serve as a catalyst to promote charitable giving
• Projects that help people at the bottom of the economy
• Food pantries
• Food kitchens
• Aid and shelter for abused children and women
• Programs to encourage and assist people in leaving the welfare system
• College scholarships with emphasis on Shannon High School
• Projects that prepare people for better economic opportunities
• Emphasis on projects that address the needs of Lee County.  These projects may occur in other counties but must be regional in nature or serve as a demonstration model of how a particular issue can be addressed.

These grants are typically $5,000 to $25,000 in size. To apply for a Marchbanks Helping Hand Grant, follow the Application Procedure below.

Application Procedure

The deadline for grant concept letters to be received at CREATE is March 1, 2009.  At that time, the CREATE Program and Grants Committee begins the grant cycle to make funding recommendations to the CREATE Board of Directors. 

Each concept letter is reviewed to determine if it meets the grant priorities, requirements, and foundation interests.  The applicant will be notified in writing of the Grants Committee decision by April 10, 2009. 

If a full application is requested at that time, the applicant will be provided the format to use with an application due date of May 9, 2009.  After Committee and Board consideration of all grants, the applicant will be notified of the Board’s decision no later than June 12, 2009.  Funds will be available for disbursement after June 15, 2009.

If the applicant is uncertain of the proposal idea or has questions concerning any portion of the grant procedure, please feel free to call the CREATE office.  The staff at CREATE Foundation is available to answer any questions.

Application Format

Please submit a concept letter on the applicant’s stationery, signed by the organization’s director, no longer than 2 pages, in 12-point font, containing the following information:

CONTACT:   Organization Name, Address, City, State, Zip Code, 
                   Contact Name, Title, Telephone, Fax, E-mail Address