Page 37 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2025

The Foundation has also helped raise funds for a permanent memorial marking the Biloxi location of the Civil Rights Wade-Ins and donated $100,000 in relief funds to the city of Moss Point for tornado aftermath rebuilding. The Foundation also created the GivHer Circle Fund, which recently awarded $20,000 to Elijah’s Closet in Biloxi.
“We prioritize building personal relationships with our
donors to align their giving with their philanthropic goals,” Duhé explains. “While we have the honor of supporting many nonprofits on the Mississippi Gulf Coast through grants and partnerships, we also offer individuals the opportunity to create their own funds. This allows them to make a meaningful impact in the community without dealing with complex administrative processes. We always like to say, ‘We help people help people.’”
With lots of irons in the fire, Duhé credits the Foundation’s team for keeping all the projects flowing smoothly, which includes Director of Grants and Scholarships Lisa Birmingham, Director of Donor Relations Tiffany D. Bell, Communications Manager Kimberly Jones, Administrative Assistant Alex Purchner, Financial Manager Rachel Leggitt,
and full-time volunteer Jerry Schmuck.
The Board of Directors includes Ollie Bailey, Dr. Raymunda
Barnes, Ron Barnes, George Cullinan, Julie Gresham, Matt Grice, Heather Ladner Smith, Jody Miles, Virginia Shanteau Newton, Joy Lambert Phillips, Lincoln Scaife, Dorothy Shaw, Brenda Simkins, Rufus Smith, David Treutel, and Dave Vincent.
“I cannot speak enough about our staff or our board,” Duhé said. “Everyone is a hundred percent supportive in everything we do. We all do a lot of different things, and we have so many talented people. We all promote philanthropy whether it’s through volunteerism or actual money or just convening people together to help solve an issue.”
She especially credited Foundation founder and Chief Executive Officer Rodger Wilder. “He was the person who incorporated the Foundation and helped run it. He’s retired, but he’s still highly active in the organization,” Duhé said, adding the staff and board surprised Wilder at the annual Donor Appreciation Breakfast with the creation of the Rodger Wilder Legacy Fund.
Left: Alex Purchner, Lisa Birmingham and Christen Duhé.
Right: Tiffany D. Bell and Kimberly Jones.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation 11975 Seaway Rd. St. B-150, Gulfport 228.897.4841 www.mgccf.org
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