Longtime CREATE Foundation president announces retirement
TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – It was a chance to celebrate the largest community foundation in the state. The annual meeting of the CREATE Foundation featured a panel discussion with leaders of various non profits, who talked about the importance of endowment funds.
It was also an opportunity to learn how the CREATE Foundation has distributed local grants, helped guide community affiliate programs, and student scholarships, all to lift Northeast Mississippi.
State Senator Hob Bryan says CREATE is especially efficient when it comes to providing funds to area non profits .
‘There are times when a small amount of money makes a difference if you can get it quickly, and CREATE can quickly approve small amounts , which for small organizations make all the difference in the world,” Sen. Bryan said.
The CREATE Foundation also manages the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation, a program for high school juniors and seniors. Two of the youth foundation members were helping at the annual meeting and say they have learned a lot of valuable life skills.
‘When I first walked in here I was scared, had my head down, but once I got here and saw everyone welcome me, I feel great about myself and starting to open up to people,” said DeMarion Jones.
“It has helped me with leadership skills, we learn how to talk to people and how to build our community through philanthropy,” said Levi Massey.
For the past thirty years, Mike Clayborne has been at the helm of The CREATE Foundation as its president. When he came on board, the community foundation had 13 million dollars in assets. That number hit 210 million recently. The oldest community foundation in the state helps individuals, businesses, families and non profits establish permanent endowments, donor advised funds and student scholarship funds.
During his presentation, Clayborne said he will retire in June. Clayborne says he has been blessed to lead the foundation, created by Daily Journal Publisher George McLean in 1972.
“”It has been the pleasure of my life to have this opportunity and I truly thank the organization is fulfilling the vision of George McLean and it is humbling and fulfilling to see and glad to have been a part of it, and I emphasize that part, so many have played significant roles, and the region is better because of CREATE,” Clayborne said.
As CREATE prepares its transition to new leadership, the legacy of Mike Clayborne will leave behind a stronger, better connected region.
The CREATE Foundation will be the Grand Marshals for the upcoming Tupelo Reed’s Christmas Parade on December the 11th.
