High-Impact Organizations

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by Gerard Manogin
December 23, 2009

Every nonprofit meets a different need in the community, but some do more than respond to crisis—they put effort into creating systemic social change and a better future for Mississippians. When donating to a cause, consider the impact of your dollars through the mission of the nonprofit and their commitment to change. Here are a few groups we recommend due to their impact:

Mississippi Urban Forest Council
164 Trace Cove Drive, Madison
601-672-0755, http://www.msurbanforest.com

Mission: Educates the citizens of Jackson and the state of Mississippi about community trees by encouraging more green space and trees in the community.
Impact: For every $1 worth of trees planted, the community sees over $27 in benefits.

Community Foundation of Greater Jackson
525 E. Capitol St., Suite 5B
601-974-6044, http://www.cfgreaterjackson.org

Mission: Provides service and support to Hinds, Madison, and Rankin counties by helping charitable donors establish permanent giving funds that reflect their individual philanthropic interest and decision to invest in. CFGT helps nonprofit organizations establish and grow endowment funds that will provide a permanent source of funding so that they can continue their work in the future.
Impact: Last year, CFGJ awarded $2.2 million to a number of charitable organizations in the community.

Mississippi Technology Alliance
134 Market Ridge Drive, Ridgeland
601-960-3630, http://www.technologyalliance.ms

Mission: Provides consulting services to start up technology companies with experts in the industry and field.
Impact: The organizations’ clients have created more than 7,000 new jobs with a payroll of over $250 million.

Women’s Fund of Mississippi
120 N. Congress St., Suite 903
601-326-0700, http://www.womensfundms.org

Mission: Promotes social change and economic independence through advocacy and grant-making, specialized in improving the lives of women and girls.
Impact: A recent $20,000 grant from The Women’s Fund went to The Moore Community House in Biloxi to address the lack of reproductive health care for low-income women on the Coast through a planning model to identify gaps in information and services and create a program to best meet needs.

Goodwill Industries of Mississippi
104 E. State St., Ridgeland
601-853-8110, http://www.goodwillms.org

Mission: Assists and serves people with disabilities and other barriers by helping them become independent. They offer work evaluation, on-the-job training, classes in life skills, general education development and financial literacy.
Impact: Goodwill provides job opportunities for those with disabilities who need income to maintain a self-sufficient life. Currently 90 people are employed through the program.

Mississippi Center for Justice
5 Old River Place, Suite 203
601-352-2269, http://www.mscenterforjustice.org

Mission: Advances racial and economic justice throughout the state by partnering with national, regional, and community organizers with the help of lawyers and law-student volunteers to develop social campaigns.
Impact: The center partners with national, regional and community organizations and lawyers for advocacy to end poverty and racial discrimination. The center works to address policy issues to improve educational opportunities, financial security, access to health care and child care, affordable housing and community development for all Mississippians.

PERICO Institute for Youth Development and Entrepreneurship (PRIYDE)
350 West Woodrow Wilson Drive, Suite 300
769-251-1408, http://www.priydems.com

Mission: Provides youth with necessary skills such as youth development, training and technical assistance in financial literacy, character development and life skills, in order to help them to become successful adults.
Impact: PRIYDE releases a quarterly newsletter, URBAN PRIYDE, written by kids, which is distributed to a circulation of 400 readers.

America Reads-Mississippi
3825 Ridgewood Road, Suite 334C
601-432-6110, http://www.americareadsms.org

Mission: Works toward improving students’ reading skills, providing public awareness about the importance of reading and raising the number of certified teachers in the state.
Impact: For about 86 percent of students who receive tutoring from ARM, reading level goes up by at least one level.

Voice Of Calvary Ministries
531 W. Capitol St.
601-949-2000, http://www.vocom.org

Mission: To eliminate urban decay and blight through long-term recovery commitments and community leadership development in West Jackson as well as the entire state of Mississippi.
Impact: Voice of Calvary Ministries has restored and renovated 270 Jackson homes, and educates over 50 homebuyers annually in home ownership and financial literacy.

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