"It is the responsibility of the people of Mississippi to try to raise the level - economically, 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."
- George McLean
- George McLean
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Hull Davis Family, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Hull Davis Family, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Larry and Judy Kirk, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Larry and Judy Kirk, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Jack and Lisa Reed, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Jack and Lisa Reed, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Heywood and Sue Washburn, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Heywood and Sue Washburn, 2022 Recipient
Jack Reed, Sr. Northeast Mississippi
Community Leadership Award
Community Leadership Award
The Jack Reed, Sr. Northeast Mississippi Community Leadership Award is presented on an annual basis to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in helping improve the quality of life in his or her community and in the northeast Mississippi region. This award is supported by an endowment at CREATE, which was funded by a special dividend from Journal, Inc.
Pictured: Bill Renick, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Bill Renick, 2022 Recipient
James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award
To recognize the efforts of community affiliates, Journal, Inc. established the James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award. 2022 award went to Union County/New Albany Initiative to Excel (UNITE).
Pictured (L to R): Carol Riddell, Mike Kirk,
Cathy Garrett, and Bo Collins
Learn MorePictured (L to R): Carol Riddell, Mike Kirk,
Cathy Garrett, and Bo Collins
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
The commitment of Toyota to establish a $50 million endowment over ten years at the CREATE Foundation is the most extraordinary gift to support public education in the history of our state.
Learn More
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At CREATE, we believe the future of our region is tied to enhancing the ability of our people to pursue their goals and aspirations. We encourage you to explore the many ways the CREATE Foundation can help you accomplish your charitable giving.
The CREATE Foundation was established in 1972 by George and Anna Keirsey McLean to enhance the ability of people in northeast Mississippi to pursue their goals and aspirations. As CREATE celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization is what McLeans wanted the CREATE Foundation to be: a vehicle for people and organizations to fulfill their charitable interests. Watch the video to learn more about CREATE and its impact on our region.
"It is the responsibility of the people of Mississippi to try to raise the level - economically, 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."
- George McLean
- George McLean
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Hull Davis Family, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Hull Davis Family, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Larry and Judy Kirk, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Larry and Judy Kirk, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Jack and Lisa Reed, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Jack and Lisa Reed, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Heywood and Sue Washburn, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Heywood and Sue Washburn, 2022 Recipient
Jack Reed, Sr. Northeast Mississippi Community Leadership Award
The Jack Reed, Sr. Northeast Mississippi Community Leadership Award is presented on an annual basis to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in helping improve the quality of life in his or her community and in the northeast Mississippi region. This award is supported by an endowment at CREATE, which was funded by a special dividend from Journal, Inc.
Pictured: Bill Renick, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Bill Renick, 2022 Recipient
James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award
To recognize the efforts of community affiliates, Journal, Inc. established the James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award. 2022 award went to Union County/New Albany Initiative to Excel (UNITE).
Pictured (L to R): Carol Riddell, Mike Kirk, Cathy Garrett, and Bo Collins
Learn MorePictured (L to R): Carol Riddell, Mike Kirk, Cathy Garrett, and Bo Collins
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
The commitment of Toyota to establish a $50 million endowment over ten years at the CREATE Foundation is the most extraordinary gift to support public education in the history of our state.
Learn More
Previous slide
Next slide
"It is the responsibility of the people of Mississippi to try to raise the level - economically, 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."
- George McLean
- George McLean
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown, 2022 Recipient
Donate NowPictured: Elizabeth “Betsy” Brown, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Hull Davis Family, 2022 Recipient
Donate NowPictured: Hull Davis Family, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Larry and Judy Kirk, 2022 Recipient
Donate NowPictured: Larry and Judy Kirk, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Jack and Lisa Reed, 2022 Recipient
Donate NowPictured: Jack and Lisa Reed, 2022 Recipient
The McLean Award for Philanthropy
The McLean Award for Philanthropy is given to honor those individuals, families, and corporations that exemplify CREATE Founders George and Anna Keirsey McLean’s spirit in charitable giving. It recognizes the extraordinary leadership of people and organizations working to improve the quality of life in our community and our region.
Pictured: Heywood and Sue Washburn, 2022 Recipient
Donate NowPictured: Heywood and Sue Washburn, 2022 Recipient
Jack Reed, Sr. Northeast Mississippi Community Leadership Award
The Jack Reed, Sr. Northeast Mississippi Community Leadership Award is presented on an annual basis to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in helping improve the quality of life in his or her community and in the northeast Mississippi region. This award is supported by an endowment at CREATE, which was funded by a special dividend from Journal, Inc.
Pictured: Bill Renick, 2022 Recipient
Learn MorePictured: Bill Renick, 2022 Recipient
James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award
To recognize the efforts of community affiliates, Journal, Inc. established the James Hugh Ray Community Affiliate Award. 2022 award went to Union County/New Albany Initiative to Excel (UNITE).
Pictured (L to R): Carol Riddell, Mike Kirk, Cathy Garrett, and Bo Collins
Donate NowPictured (L to R): Carol Riddell, Mike Kirk, Cathy Garrett, and Bo Collins
Toyota Wellspring Education Fund
The commitment of Toyota to establish a $50 million endowment over ten years at the CREATE Foundation is the most extraordinary gift to support public education in the history of our state.
Learn More
Previous slide
Next slide
At CREATE, we believe the future of our region is tied to enhancing the ability of our people to pursue their goals and aspirations. We encourage you to explore the many ways the CREATE Foundation can help you accomplish your charitable giving.
The CREATE Foundation was established in 1972 by George and Anna Keirsey McClean to enhance the ability of people in northeast Mississippi to pursue their goals and aspirations. As CREATE celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization is what McCleans wanted the CREATE Foundation to be: a vehicle for people and organizations to fulfill their charitable interests. Watch the video to learn more about CREATE and its impact on our region.
Community Affiliates
Community Affiliates are led by a local board made up of community leaders. The Affiliate manages its own independent grant cycle and makes local grants determined to be important in improving the quality of life in that county. CREATE's Community Affiliate program brings together the best thinking leadership to meet community concerns.
The Commission
CREATE Foundation has a distinguished history of highly effective community engagement as the leading regional community development organization in northeast Mississippi. Capitalizing on those strengths, in 1995, CREATE formed the Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi to strengthen regional unity and cooperation.
The Commission
Establishing your own named charitable fund does not require great wealth and it isn’t complicated. You can provide ongoing support to your favorite organizations, choose different nonprofit organizations each year during your lifetime, make your own choices, take advantage of our staff’s expertise to help you address the community’s most pressing challenges, and distribute gifts during your lifetime or leave a lasting legacy – or both!
Donors
Establishing your own named charitable fund does not require great wealth and it isn’t complicated. You can provide ongoing support to your favorite organizations, choose different nonprofit organizations each year during your lifetime, make your own choices, take advantage of our staff’s expertise to help you address the community’s most pressing challenges, and distribute gifts during your lifetime or leave a lasting legacy – or both!







Create's Impact on the Region in 2021

$16 Million
Contributions

$166 Million
Assets

$20 Million
Asset Growth

276
Endowment Funds

Over $700,000 equating to 35% of statewide gifts
Endow MS Gifts

$9.72 Million
Total Affiliate Balance
Why North Mississippians Give
















































It is a very effective vehicle which is directly attuned to the programs I want to support.
Aubrey Patterson
To support causes that our family believes in and helping our community.
Becky Rollins
I give through CREATE because of the ease of giving and knowing that a highly-ranked foundation will be the conduit.
Cathy Robertson
It’s an opportunity to make sure funds are used right here in our backyard and contribute to the local community.
David Fernandes
Concise, efficient, and God fearing.
David Rumbarger
I have found my Advised Fund a very easy way to go online and make donations or memorials. Because of CREATE’s reputation, I can give without reservation knowing my wishes will be carried out.
Grace Clark
It is easy and stretches into the future.
Greg Pirkle
I am assured that the contributions are handled professionally and are distributed to the intended targets.
James "Bo" Collins
Create provides an avenue for giving through the foundation that allows me to receive the maximum tax credit available on my giving; whether large or small in amount. I also have confidence that the money will be invested with the mindset of a consistent and fair return so that the funds will have the maximum benefit for the charity of my choosing.
Julie Henry
Being a new member to the board, I’m just putting CF in our family planning. We give to help others that are less fortunate and improve the quality of life in our community.
Kirk Lewis
CREATE helps me support several causes through a single process at year-end and during the year when unforeseen needs arise, while also raising awareness for CREATE to others who could benefit from professional help in meeting their charitable goals.
Larry Kirk
The Donor Advised Fund simplifies the giving process. Contributions to the fund may be made at any time throughout the year. The Donor Central portal is very simple to use and allows you to disburse funds to charities of your choice at any time. CREATE does the rest. The staff is very efficient, pleasant and always helpful.
Mary Childs
I’m confident in the efficient administration and long-term fiduciary assurance.
Mitch Waycaster
It is convenient; it can provide a tax benefit; it is a responsible way of giving.
Sandy Williams
I believe in the role CREATE plays within our region and have confidence that my donations are used in the best ways to support our region.
Shane Spees
An annual accounting for my records and to be a part of the greater good that CREATE generates.
Jack Reed, Jr.