NEMYF was established in August 2001 to offer 11th and 12th graders in Northeast Mississippi the opportunity to serve on a youth-directed foundation that offers leadership opportunities and the chance to learn about philanthropy and community involvement. The board consists of around 50 students from among the 17 counties that CREATE serves. NEMYF has an endowment fund — money totally raised by the students — that currently stands at more than $150,000!

During the fall semester, students focus some of their energy on fundraising to build the endowment. Then in the spring, the fun begins! The students submit grant ideas from their home counties, vote on which grants to fund, organize a press conference, and announce how they spent the earnings from their endowment.