Page 58 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2025

GIVING BACK
A SEASON OF
Generosity
& A LIFETIME
of Good
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
At Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF), the season of giving is about creating a lifetime of good. “Giving has the power to make a difference all year long, and it feels especially meaningful during the holidays when our community comes together to support and uplift one another,” said Dr. Christen Duhé, president and executive director of GCCF.
Giving through GCCF is one meaningful way to make a difference locally. It’s also a great time for donors to benefit from programs like Endow Mississippi. Whether contributing to an existing fund or creating a new one to support the causes they care about most, donors may be eligible for a 25 percent state tax credit on gifts between $1,000 and $500,000 to GCCF. This allows donors to increase the impact of their giving while supporting causes that matter most to them.
In the past year alone, 12 new funds were created at GCCF. An endowed fund allows donors to support the causes they care most about and create a personal legacy that will last beyond their lifetime. The GCCF team works closely with each donor to align their philanthropic goals, simplify the giving process and maximize the fund’s impact. The goal is to make giving easy and effective so donors can focus on the causes that matter most to them.
58 | December 2025
The minimum donation to start an endowment at GCCF is $5,000. However, it must reach a $25,000 balance within five years before disbursements can be made. Endowments can also be established for estate planning purposes, which may not require an initial deposit.
“Endowment giving is one of the most powerful ways to ensure lasting impact. The gift is invested and managed professionally, and the earnings support charitable causes that tell a story of generosity and vision that will forever continue improving lives in South Mississippi,” Duhé said.
The Jack A. and Gertrude W. Wilson Animal Welfare Fund and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast Fund are examples of how endowed giving creates lasting change in South Mississippi by building forever funds that continue to make a difference.
The Wilson Animal Welfare Fund was established in 2001 to honor the Wilsons’ lifelong love of animals. The fund provides competitive grants to local nonprofit organizations that deliver programs for the care and welfare of animals. The fund began with a $1.6 million contribution, and more than $1.3 million in grants has been awarded from the fund since its establishment.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast Fund was www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living