Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2025
P. 22
PEOPLE
A MONTH OF
PHILANTHROPY
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Join Us for a Month of Philanthropy. That’s the invitation being issued by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF) for February 2025, a month-long celebration of philanthropy packed with events that inspire giving and community impact.
It all leads up to 228 Day on February 28 when the Foundation will host an open house and ribbon cutting in partnership with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce at the Knight Nonprofit Center beginning at 9 a.m. This event will showcase the incredible impact GCCF has made across the
Gulf Coast and beyond. The mission is to increase philanthropy across the lower six counties of Mississippi.
“This is the first time GCCF has done the 228 Campaign,” says President and Executive Director Christen Duhé. “In the past, the Foundation did Friends of the Foundation where
individuals and businesses could make donations directly to the Foundation, but it hasn’t been done since before COVID.”
The organization wants to focus on more aspects of philanthropy, she says, and that’s why they’re hosting different events in February centered on giving. One event is a luncheon on February 14 in partnership with Coast Young Professionals and Balch & Bingham law firm where an attorney will go over estate planning for young professionals.
“There is no specific financial goal because we’re not only focusing on money, but philanthropy as a whole, whether it’s giving time, money, expertise, etc., to help our community be a better place,” Duhé said. “The main way individuals can participate are to donate, attend the luncheon, and volunteer.”
Since 1989, the Foundation has given over $110 million back
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
11975 Seaway Rd., Suite B 150, Gulfport 228.897.4841 www.mgccf.org • www.mgccf.org/228-day
22 | February 2025 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 2 | December 2020 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
