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"It is the responsibility of the people of Mississippi to try to raise the level - economically, educationally, spiritually and otherwise - of all the people of Mississippi. There's nobody else who's going to come in here and do it for us."

Spoken in 1982 by our founder, the late George McLean, these words continue to be the guiding force for CREATE Foundation. As Northeast Mississippi’s community foundation, we strive to meet the high standards set by George and Anna Keirsey McLean and improve the quality of life in our region. Read more of Mr. McLean's own words from the Charter Meeting of CREATE.

CREATE Foundation Earns Another Four Star Rating

"We are proud to announce that CREATE Foundation has earned its fifth consecutive 4-star rating for the ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. Only 5% of the charities we rate have received 5 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that CREATE Foundation consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This 'exceptional' designation from Charity Navigator differentiates CREATE Foundaiton from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust," reported Ken Berger, President & CEO, Charity Navigator.

Charity Navigator is America's premier independent charity evaluator. They help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing in-depth, objective ratings and analysis of the financial health of America's largest charities. Charity Navigator awarded CREATE Foundation four out of four stars which demonstrates CREATE's exceptional financial health.

National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations

CREATE Foundation meets National Standards for operational quality, donor service and accountability in the community foundation sector.

The National Standards Seal by our name indicates official confirmation from the Council on Foundations that we have met the most rigorous standards in philanthropy. It affirms our commitment to financial security, transparency and accountability. It says our grantmaking includes an open, competitive process designed to address the changing needs of our community. The National Standards Seal also confirms our history of honoring donors’ wishes—to support the arts, cultivate gardens, save endangered species, cure illness, expand literacy, feed children—and support countless other important causes.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Program was established in 2000 in cooperation with the Council on Foundations. National Standards guide community foundations in establishing legal, ethical and effective operational practices that serve as blueprints for internal development and benchmarks for external assessment. The 43 National Standards require CREATE Foundation to document its policies in donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration. To receive confirmation of National Standards compliance, CREATE Foundation submitted its organizational and financial policies and procedures to a rigorous peer review.

CREATE is First Foundation to be Certified

TORONTO, April XX, 2010 – The Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX), announced today that it has certified the General Investment Account of the CREATE Foundation, Inc., of Tupelo, MS as adhering to a global standard of excellence for Investment Stewards. The CREATE Foundation Inc. is the first foundation in the world to successfully complete the independent CEFEX certification process.

The CEFEX standard of excellence for Investment Stewards is based on 22 fiduciary practices that seek to increase long-term investment performance by diversifying the portfolio across multiple asset classes and peer groups, evaluating investment management fees and expenses, and selecting or terminating Investment Managers. The practices also help uncover investment and/or procedural risk, which may assist in prioritizing investment management projects.

CEFEX General Manager Carlos Panksep said: “Through CEFEX’s independent assessment, the certification provides assurance to foundation donors and stakeholders that CREATE has demonstrated adherence to the industry’s fiduciary best practices.”

“Mike Clayborne, President of the CREATE Foundation has assembled a management team which is committed to excellence in the management of their investment processes.” said Katie A. Umile, the CEFEX analyst who led the assessment. “The staff, which is advised by the firm Hardy Reed Capital Advisors, LLC., is keenly aware of its fiduciary responsibilities and understands the significance of an independent assessment of internal systems.”

The fiduciary practices are based on the Fiduciary360 publication: Prudent Practices for Investment Stewards and are substantiated by legislation, case law and regulatory opinion letters from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Uniform Prudent Investor Act (UPIA), Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) and the Uniform Management of Public Employee Retirement Systems Act (MPERS) in the U.S. A summary of the fiduciary practices can be viewed by clicking on ASML’s on-line CEFEX certificate.

The annual certification process involves a detailed review of foundation documents, investments and procedures followed by on-site interviews with key personnel. A full copy of the Fiduciary Practices is available at www.cefex.org .

About CEFEX:
The Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC. is an independent certification organization. CEFEX works closely with industry experts to provide comprehensive assessment programs to improve the fiduciary practices of investment stewards, advisors, recordkeepers, service providers and managers. CEFEX has offices in Toronto, Canada, and Pittsburgh, PA.

Annual Report

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