Page 100 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2025

A COMMUNITY
Generosity
of
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Since its founding in 1989, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) has been an important part of charity in the area. Like others showing their love for the Coast this month, this organization loves the area too.
“What the Foundation loves most about the Coast is the generosity of our community,” said Christen Duhé, president and executive director of GCCF. “We have the privilege of working with people from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast who want to support charitable causes, and we help them get connected to the issues they care about.”
GCCF serves a population of approximately 509,590 in the counties of Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone and George. What are their most requested services? “We hear from individuals who want to start their own nonprofit so they can
support a particular charitable cause, and we help them decide if it would actually be better to create a fund at the Foundation vs. creating their own nonprofit,” Duhé said. “People don’t always understand the work that goes into creating their own.”
The first step in setting up a fund is deciding what cause or issue you’d like to support. Once you know that, GCCF takes care of the rest. “Our team helps you match your philanthropic goals with your financial plans so your gift makes the impact
you want, for both your family and the community,” Duhé
said. “There are many pressing needs across South Mississippi, and our funds are shaped to address them. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re able to put their passion into action to support a wide range of causes and make a meaningful difference across the region.”
Blessings in a Backpack
GCCF 228 Day book drive
100 | October 2025
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living