MS Alliance
Hello Alliance members and friends,
I’ve always loved the month of June, mainly because for me, it was the gateway to summer; a time for fun and relaxation, family vacation planning and a time to reflect on the first half of the year, while looking forward to the second half and the opportunities the coming months would bring.
As I reflect at this moment, I’m pressed to think about how this month has come to represent for so many of our friends and neighbors a time to celebrate inclusiveness, equality, and justice. We lift up our LGBTQ+ friends during this Pride Month and recognize the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality as we celebrate Juneteenth all while acknowledging the critical role our social sector plays in striving towards these goals. As nonprofits, foundations, charities, and individuals we are working to try and make the world a better place for all. Our members represent a range of services from advocating for marginalized groups, providing direct support services to those in need, to building the capacity of individuals and groups to address the disparities that sometimes seem to hold us back from building a better future for all. I am encouraged by all that we are doing together to build bridges and encourage acceptance and understanding; as we have so much more in common than in differences.
So, while we enjoy the beginning of the summer season and take a mid-year pause, let’s also gear up for an exciting fall with new possibilities and opportunities to connect and create new visions for the future.
Have a great summer!
Ellen
Related Articles
Woodward Hines Education Foundation Supports First-Gen College Success in Mississippi with $1.5 Million Grant to FirstGen Forward
The Woodward Hines Education Foundation is focused on college completion in Mississippi, and its funds will allow FirstGen Forward to expand its impact in the state.
State’s Nonprofit Sector: An Economic Engine
This commentary piece from the Alliance Executive Director originally appeared in the December issue of the Mississippi Business Journal.
The recent challenges facing nonprofits have dominated public discourse, overshadowing a fundamental truth: Mississippi’s nonprofit sector remains one of our state’s most vital economic drivers and community lifelines. As executive director of the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, I see firsthand the transformative work of thousands of organizations operating with integrity, transparency, and remarkable efficiency across our state.
Equity in Response, Recovery and Resilence: An Action Report in Five Parts
The Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy (the Alliance) was created to enhance coordination, collaboration, and communication among nonprofits, maximizing existing funding and expanding resources. The Alliance also focuses on embedding equity into nonprofit work, aiming to ensure equitable outcomes. During the 2022 Jackson water crisis, nonprofits worked to meet urgent needs. Recently, with funding from the US Water Alliance, the Alliance and its partners have been studying equity in disaster response, recovery, and resilience efforts.