Guidelines & Applications

The Foundation's purpose is to make grants to charitable and governmental organizations for charitable purposes and to provide financial resources and assistance for community-wide projects and programs for healthcare, education, and the betterment of cultural, environmental and economic conditions for the people of Meridian and Lauderdale County, Mississippi.

THE FIRST STEP IN APPLYING TO THE FOUNDATION IS A BRIEF LETTER OF INQUIRY

Requirements for Submitting a Letter of Inquiry

• Applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as "not a private foundation" (that is, a public charity) as defined under Section 509(a), or must be a governmental agency. Applicants may not, however, be "supporting organizations" described in Section 509(a)(3).
• Organizations must be located in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, and provide services for the citizens of Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
• For request to be considered your organization must be compliant, not only with the IRS, but also with The Charities Division of the Mississippi Secretary of State's Office.
• For legal reasons, the Foundation does not support individuals or their projects, private foundations, advertising, sponsorships, or political activities.
• It is preferred that your organization commit funds for the requested project in addition to seeking funds from other sources.
• AS A MATTER OF POLICY, the Foundation does not ordinarily support:
  • Recurring expenses for operations, programs or salaries
  • Social or fundraising events
  • Hospitals or nursing homes
  • Religious organizations for religious purposes
  • Daycare centers
  • Endowments
  • Biomedical or clinical research
  • Organizations whose principal impact is outside of Lauderdale County, Mississippi

Email letter to: becky@rileyfoundation.org. Please contact us if you do not receive notification within a few days of your email.

You will be notified by mail or email once your letter of inquiry has been considered and you may be asked to complete a grant application.

Grant applications are reviewed at quarterly meetings in January, April, July and October and are due as follows:

*Application due the following Monday if the 15th is on a weekend.

Email Letter & Questions to Becky at becky@rileyfoundation.org