Hattiesburg, Miss. – The Mississippi 30 Day Fund is excited to announce a new partnership with Cooperative Energy. Cooperative Energy is continuing its commitment to the communities they serve by giving $30,000 to the Fund. One hundred percent of this donation will go directly towards serving Mississippi’s small businesses suffering from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In keeping with Cooperative Principle #7: Concern for Community, our partnership with the MS 30 Day Fund supports our mission to impact the communities where we live, serve, and work. We strongly believe that helping our neighbor and lending a hand keeps our communities vibrant for generations to come,” said Christa Bishop, executive vice president/chief communications officer at Cooperative Energy.
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, many of our small businesses are facing closure or decreased revenue. “Small businesses are vital to communities that Cooperative Energy and our Members serve. The MS 30 Day Fund is truly Mississippians helping Mississippians – a way to help our neighbors in uncertain economic times. Our hope is that these funds will be the catalyst needed to keep these small businesses open and foster opportunities to create jobs for Mississippians,” said Mitch Stringer, director of economic development for Cooperative Energy.
Thousands of small businesses dot the map of Mississippi, providing character and life to the communities they serve. The generosity of Cooperative Energy will allow the Fund to help even more of the hundreds of small businesses that have asked for assistance during these difficult times. “The donation by Cooperative Energy reflects their commitment to assisting the needs in regions they serve. With their help, we will be able to give even more small businesses a lifeline they may need to stay viable in the coming months,” said Brian Sanderson, a native of Pascagoula and cofounder of the Fund.
“Since we started this project, we have simultaneously been overwhelmed by two patterns: the overwhelming need our state’s small businesses face, and the incredible generosity our fellow Mississippians have displayed,” said Marie Sanderson, a native of Jackson and cofounder of the Fund. “Cooperative Energy’s support is going to make a sizable and tangible impact on many small businesses throughout the state.”
Since its launch on June 8, the Mississippi 30 Day Fund has provided assistance to over 50 businesses throughout the state, totaling over $160,000. These businesses encapsulate a wide variety of industries, including but not limited to bakeries, event planning studios, fitness centers, restaurants, retail stores, dance studios, and even a small animal farm. Of businesses funded, 60% are owned by women, and 53% are minority-owned.
Other corporate sponsors of the Fund include CSpire, Sanderson Farms, the Blackburn Group, Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes, Atmos Energy, McNeely Plastics, and Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. Private citizens throughout Mississippi have also been generous in donating to the Fund.
Businesses struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic can request up to $3000 in no-strings-attached funding. The non-profit Mississippi 30 Day Fund is designed to be quick, easy, and free of red tape, as small business owners work to keep employees on board and operations running in the near term.
“Cooperative Energy’s donation will allow us to make that many more phone calls to businesses to notify them that they will receive the funds–phone calls typically met with tears and shouts of joy. Every dollar raised goes directly towards helping the individuals on the other side of the phone. We are so grateful for Cooperative Energy’s support,” said Julia Grant, a native of Gulfport and Executive Director of the Fund.
For more information about MS 30 Day Fund and how to apply or donate, visit their website at www.ms30dayfund.com. The Fund is a 501c(3), and charitable contributions are tax-deductible.
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About Mississippi 30 Day Fund
The nonprofit, charitable organization, the Mississippi 30 Day Fund was launched by Jackson native, Marie Thomas Sanderson, and her husband, Pascagoula native, Brian Sanderson. Their response comes after watching neighbors and friends across the state struggle to sustain their small businesses and jobs as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The Sandersons met during recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and witnessed how instrumental small businesses are to the economy and character of Mississippi. The response and leadership of the private sector was important then, and is critical now. The Fund’s goal is to help Mississippi small businesses that face substantial shortfalls and an uncertain economic future. The Mississippi 30 Day Fund is a complement to the very worthy state and federal programs created to help Mississippians as well. Mississippi businesses that qualify for assistance from the Fund are: (1) Small businesses that employ three to 30 people; (2) Based in Mississippi and have been operating for at least one year; and (3) Owned and operated by a Mississippi resident.
About Cooperative Energy
Cooperative Energy generates and transmits electricity to 11 Member-owned electric distribution cooperatives. Known as the Power of 12, Cooperative Energy and its Member cooperatives work together to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power from the Mississippi Delta to the Coast. The 11 electric cooperatives own and maintain more than 57,000 miles of distribution lines and provide service to approximately 432,000 homes and businesses throughout 55 counties.