Page 64 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2025

GROW AND THRIVE
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Although some area residents may not be aware of it, supporting children and youth has always been a key part of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s (GCCF) mission.
“While some may not immediately associate GCCF with helping kids, the reality is that we have been doing just that since our founding,” says Dr. Christen H. Duhé, GCCF president and executive director. “Originally established as an education foundation, we have long been focused on improving opportunities for young people across South Mississippi. Today, GCCF continues to make a lasting impact on children’s lives through grants and scholarships made possible by the generosity of our donors.”
These funds help in many ways, from ensuring families
have food on the table to creating healthier environments for children to grow and thrive. Some grants directly support youth initiatives, while others assist families, which in turn benefits children.
“For example, helping a single parent secure essentials for their children can mean keeping those kids out of the foster
care system. Supporting disaster recovery efforts can ensure children have a stable home life after a crisis. The ripple effect of philanthropy touches nearly every aspect of a child’s well-being,” Duhé adds.
Through GCCF, donors can establish funds to support causes they care about – such as children’s welfare, education, and youth-focused initiatives. Through the Endow Mississippi Tax Credit Program, donors making qualifying gifts of $1,000 or more may receive a 25 percent state tax credit, making it even easier to give back and make a difference.
Let’s Go! Gulf Coast, CASA of South Mississippi, the United Way of South Mississippi and Triumph Church of Gulfport are a few of the organizations helping children through GCCF grants.
Pastor Tyrone T. Lewis, Sr. of Triumph Church said, “These grants mean so much for our children’s programs. We used last year’s grant to buy toys for our Caring Gift program at Christmas. This program most definitely helped parents have one less thing to worry about.”
64 | April 2025
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