Annual Report 2023-2024
In April of 2023, SOAR, a CREATE Foundation affiliate with a half-a-million dollar endowment fund, officially became The Starkville Community Foundation. SOAR donated thousands of dollars in community grants over the years, but the Board of Directors knew it was time to expand the organization’s mission, visibility, and impact. They invested funds along with the Homestead Education Center to hire Executive Director Stacey Parvin. Here is what SCF accomplished in its first year.
Secured $33,000 to restart Helping Hands, an important initiative that had gone dormant in Starkville which keeps families from being evicted by helping with a utility bill or rent. Read about it here.
Gave out 8 Innovative Educator Grants to teachers across the county to fund projects with high impact. Read about it here.
Raised $99,000 in partnership with the City of Starkville and The Starkville Oktibbeha School District to renovate the Starkville Community Tennis Courts in honor of Natalie Williams. Read about it here.
Gave out six community grants from funds raised from 100 Women Who Care to:
Weekend Food Supplies for Students - Backpack Buddies
Neighbors Helping Neighbors - Starkville Strong
Teen College and Intern Conference - J. L. King Center
College Tours and Financial Aid Assistance - Boys and Girls Club
Completion of a Home in Kelly Estates - Habitat for Humanity
Teen Library Program - Starkville Public Library
Started 100 Men Who Care for 2024-2025. Read about it here.
Sponsored students who wanted to start 100 Kids Who Care. Read about it here.
Gained 20 Community of 1000 Partners, including Bankfirst, Renesant Bank, Starkville Counseling Associates, and several local families. Read about it here.
Received and delivered a donor-advised donation from the Abrams family, who donated $50,000 to celebrate 50 years of marriage to projects they love around town through SCF.
Named Affiliate of the Year by the CREATE Foundation!
As you can see, we’ve been busy! But we are just getting started. Our 2024-2025 goals include:
Taking on 4 community partners to support, one for each $100,000 in our endowment fund. This acts like the United Way used to, supporting local organizations that make a difference in Starkville. Read about it here.
Securing funds through Community of 1000 Members and community partners like Starkville Utilities to fund Helping Hands in its second year. Support the project here.
Kicking off 100 Men Who Care to fund Community Partners and 100 Kids Who Care to support a local project. Support the projects here.
Support local businesses downtown with supplemental grants as traffic slows due to important road renovations. These grants will come out of Community of 1000 funds once Helping Hands is fully funded. Support it here.
Grow the endowment fund by $100,000 so we can support additional community partners. Support the project here.
Distribute 8 Innovative Educator Grants across the county in September. Support the project or apply for a teacher grant here.
Grow 100 Women Who Care to 350 Memberships. You can become a Member here.
Join 100 Women Who Care to support annual community project grants. Join 100 Men Who Care to support our community partner organizations. Choose monthly or annual donations and keep your emailed receipt for tax purposes.
Community of 1000 Members support Helping Hands and our annual large community grant. Helping Hands helps 130 families/year avoid eviction with financial literacy, education on lowering utility bills, and help with a utility bill or rent. This year, our large community grant will focus on offsetting lost income during this important renovation process downtown for Starkville's small businesses. Choose monthly or annual donation schedules and save your receipt for tax purposes.
