Funder Spotlight | REAL Christian Foundation

REAL’s 25th year fulfilling its mission

Dolphus and Rosie Weary, founders of REAL, have worked for over 40 years in rural communities throughout Mississippi addressing issues caused or a result of poverty; lack of educational opportunities, poor nutrition, and barriers to medical care, just to name a few. Many of these communities need more support than local, state, or federal government can give. Nonprofits help, but in rural areas, especially those led by minorities and/or are Christian-based, often do not have access to the same financial support and resources as urban, non-Christian nonprofits.

Moreover, leaders of rural nonprofit ministries also do not have personal connections with individuals who can donate large amounts of money nor the proper training that could empower them to know where and how to look, and compete, for grant money. And if they are able to find and receive a grant award, able to manage it.

REAL’s founders understand the unique challenges rural nonprofits face on every level. As a result, REAL’s board of directors and staff both provide some of the needed money (RESOURCES), training (STRUCTURE) and opportunities to connect with potential donors and fellow practitioners (EXPOSURE). This is REAL’s 25th year of fulfilling its mission to help rural, Christian ministries successfully overcome the challenges of exposure, resources, and structure.”

The dream that started with no money and 2,000 copies of Dolphus’s autobiography has come true in the form of a foundation that has given away over $2.5 million to roughly 25 nonprofits in 13 Mississippi counties. They include Bolivar, Copiah, Covington, Holmes, Jefferson Davis, Leflore, Quitman, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Simpson, Walthall, and Washington.