Anthony “Tony” Gobar of Jackson, a long-time juvenile justice specialist, died of a heart attack at age 53 in the summer of 2004. He was a man who had dedicated himself to making his community a better place, especially when it came to troubled youth who found themselves in the state’s criminal justice system.

A Breaux Bridge, Louisiana native and Southern University graduate, Gobar began working in job training at a community action agency in Louisiana before moving to Jackson and joining the Department of Criminal Justice Planning as a Program Manager. He worked later as a juvenile justice specialist after his division became part of the Department of Public Safety.

Herbert Terry, director of the Justice Programs Division at the Department of Public Safety, said Gobar was “one of the most professional, caring, sincere, unselfish and honest persons that I have ever worked with or known. He worked untiringly to improve the juvenile justice system in Mississippi.”

The National Coalition for Juvenile Justice in Washington, D.C., established an award in his name for individuals working in the juvenile justice field, and he was posthumously honored by the Arkansas Coalition for Juvenile Justice.

“Tony found his greatest joy in the simple things in life,” his wife, Angela, said in a news release. “He served God as a parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jackson.

Tony was known for and will be remembered for his selfless spirit and willingness to always help another person.”

PURPOSE:

The Anthony “Tony” Gobar Juvenile Justice Scholarship Fund will provide an annual scholarship based on both merit and need for a full-time junior or senior at a public university in Mississippi or at Southern University in Louisiana majoring in criminal justice, political science, social work, pre-law or counseling.

The student must have a stated career interest in juvenile justice or a similar field and have demonstrated a strong commitment to community and public service.

The scholarship is a one-time award up to $2,500 (non-renewable each year). The award may be used for tuition, books and room and board.

The selection committee for the Anthony “Tony” Gobar Scholarship will select finalists who meet the application deadline and stated selection criteria. 

APPLICANT ELGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Students must be a U.S. citizen with a current grade point average no less than 2.5 on a

4.0 scale. Demonstrated financial need must be provided via the student’s university or college financial aid office.

If a student meets the above stated eligibility criteria, he/she must submit the following:

• The Anthony “Tony” Gobar Scholarship application form including a statement of career interest and a description of community and/or public service
• Three (3) letters of
• Financial aid information verified via the University or College Financial Aid Officer

Applications are due June 30, 2023

Awardees will be notified in writing and may be invited to receive their award during the Annual Mississippi Juvenile Justice Conference.

The JXN Water Scholarship Fund was established at the Community Foundation for Mississippi to provide financial assistance to JPS high school seniors interested in pursuing a STEM degree (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or discipline that could lead to a career in water and wastewater operations and management. Applications are open to seniors currently enrolled at a Jackson Public School District high school who will attend Hinds Community College. The award is for four $2,500 scholarships for a period of one academic year, but may be renewed for additional semesters. Learn more about the scholarship fund here.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

• Currently enrolled senior at a high school in the Jackson Public School District.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 and significant coursework in STEM.
• Ability to apply and gain admission to Hinds Community College.
• Two letters of recommendation:
  • One letter from a teacher that taught the applicant for at least one semester in a STEM subject.
  • One from an unrelated adult with knowledge of the applicant’s character.
• A one-page essay on how the water crisis in Jackson has impacted the applicant’s life.
• The deadline to submit applications is April 12, 2023.

Applicants may apply for additional JXN Water Scholarship Funds for additional semesters subject to the following criteria:

(1) Maintenance of a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all coursework

(2) Minimal completion of 15 credit hours per semester and

(3) No more than three previous JXN Water scholarships.

Applicants must submit all materials to formississippi.org/jxnwaterscholarship.

NOTIFICATION

Applicants will be notified by mail or email about the status of their application no later than April 28, 2023. Scholarship funds will be distributed directly to the institution of the applicant’s choice no later than September 30, 2023.

QUESTIONS

Please contact the Community Foundation for Mississippi at 601.974.6044 or email us at info@formississippi.org.

When you hit a milestone like 50 years, it is natural to start thinking about the future. What lies ahead 50 or 100 years from now?

In 2021, the Mississippi Humanities Council had this very question. Pair that with a quest to better utilize special reserve funds and a relationship with the Community Foundation for Mississippi and a dream was born.

“While these funds were invested in CDs, the interest rates were low and the Board of MHC believed it was time to think more strategically,” said Stuart Rockoff, executive director of MHC. “As MHC’s 50th anniversary approached, we had an idea to create an endowment fund, invested to grow.”

In 2022, MHC announced a campaign to raise $50,000 to launch the Mississippi Humanities Council Innovation Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. CFM created a matching grant opportunity for $50,000. The MHC Board agreed to also match up to $50,000, creating a 2:1 match for donations to the fund — a 360-degree “win.”

Because the fund is endowed, the Endow Mississippi state income tax credit made this initiative even sweeter. This provides a 25% tax credit to donors who give to permanent endowments at qualified community foundations in Mississippi as long as donors give a minimum of $1,000.

Soon after the fund was announced, a prospective donor contacted CFM, accessing the tax credit for their donation, supporting MHC, helping meet the match and benefitting their own bottom line with the tax credit. Win, win, win.

Why do endowments play such an important role? In the case of MHC, the fund creates a stable funding source in case of future government shutdowns, ensuring new programs can continue to be designed and implemented. MHC can access the spendable portion of the endowment but is not required to, allowing the balance to grow.

Investments are overseen by CFM’s Investments Committee and Board of Trustees, as well as the Council’s own Board. Jane Alexander, president and CEO of CFM, said, “MHC’s decision to combine their assets with the pooled investments of CFM meant access to better-performing investment options, and therefore faster growth.” Another 360-degree win.

The Mississippi Humanities Council joins Delta Blues Museum, University Press of Mississippi, Operation Shoestring, Magnolia Speech School, Mississippi Boychoir, Mississippi Children’s Museum, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Foundation, New Stage Theatre, Women’s Foundation of Mississippi, and many others as nonprofit partners with funds at the Community Foundation for Mississippi.

Donors to any endowed fund at an accredited community foundation in Mississippi can qualify for the limited pool of tax credits, and applications are currently open, on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about Endow Mississippi here.

Blake Coghlan had dreams of building the best farm in the Delta.

At 19 years old, Blake Coghlan had dreams of building the best farm in the Delta. He grew up in Holly Bluff, MS to a fourth generation Mississippi farm family. Blake was a promising young farmer with a passion for farming. He was an exceptional person with tremendous potential. He was undeniably authentic, unassuming, easy-going, and loved by everyone who met him.

He attended Mississippi Delta Community College pursuing an Ag Science degree and had plans to further his education at Mississippi State University.

The Blake Coghlan Memorial Ag Scholarship Fund was created at the Community Foundation for Mississippi to encourage young people who share his passion for farming and agriculture. The scholarship provides financial assistance to a graduating high school senior from Yazoo County or Sharkey County intending to study Agriculture or Agriculture-related degree at a Mississippi 4-year or 2-year institution. The award is for a period of one academic year.

Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, and career objectives in the field of agriculture.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

• U.S. citizen
• 2.5 GPA
• At least two recommendations either from a teacher, counselor, principal, or others (one recommendation must be from a school representative).
• High school senior from Yazoo or Sharkey counties
• Graduating senior who will majoring Ag or Ag related degree
• Going to a Mississippi two or four-year college or university
• Full-time student
• Must submit a 500-word essay about why you are pursuing a career in agriculture.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

The Community Foundation for Mississippi must receive each complete application at 119 S. President Street, Jackson, MS 39201 by March 31, 2023.

Please include:

• Completed application form
• Essay
• Letters of Recommendation
• Official high school transcript with GPA

NOTIFICATION

Applicants will be notified by mail or email about the status of their application. Scholarship funds will be distributed directly to the institution of the applicant’s choice no later than September 28, 2023.

QUESTIONS

Please contact the Community Foundation for Mississippi at 601.974.6044 or email us at info@formississippi.org.