A New Home for The Alliance
Associate Director
MS Alliance
In April 2019, The Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy was born, and in February 2020, we held our public launch, surrounded by over 200 members, supporters, and friends. We were ready and eager to move forward in our mission to bring nonprofits and philanthropy together to help improve the lives of the people and communities of Mississippi.
However, as with any well-considered plans, ours were met with circumstances that could have derailed our goals. Soon after our public launch, the COVID pandemic forced us all to shut down our office spaces and work remotely. Nevertheless, we were able to “pivot” and make the necessary adjustments to continue providing training and capacity-building services to our members.
During this time, we managed to move into a new office space that we envisioned would be a home base for The Alliance and our growing staff and a state-of-the-art training center that our members and community partners could also utilize. This time, nature intervened. In February 2021, Mississippi was hit with one of the coldest winters in recent history. The historic storm brought snow, ice, and frigid temperatures that resulted in widespread power outages and water main breaks.
The Alliance was not spared from the storm’s havoc. Our building suffered a massive water pipe break that damaged our new office suite beyond repair. Once again, staff was forced to shift, and work-from-home took on a whole new meaning.
Despite the obstacles, The Alliance, with the support of our members, funders, Board of Directors, and many other stakeholders, has persevered and will finally take residence in our new space. Our new location is 2600 Lakeland Terrace in Jackson. Some of you may remember this as the former site of the Woodward Hines Education Foundation. After two years of various levels of uncertainty, we are excited and thrilled to have a place to call home and we cannot wait to have you visit!
Related Articles
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.
Revisiting Big Questions for Philanthropy: When to Bridge and When to Fight
Two big, related questions have hung over many in philanthropy these past several years: first, how best to protect democracy, and second, how to work to bridge differences in a polarized time.
Sabbaticals and the Case for More Rest for Leaders of Color
Social change isn’t possible when nonprofit leaders are exhausted. Extended paid leave helped me — and can help others.