For two days in October, something powerful happened. Something that Mississippi doesn’t see often enough. Nonprofit leaders and funders in the same room, at the same tables, working on the same problems.
More than 100 people showed up each day of Mississippi Chat ’N Chew on October 21 and 22. They came from the Delta, the Golden Triangle, the Capital City, and points in between. And about 10 funders and philanthropic organizations didn’t just give a speech and leave. They stayed, listened, and talked one-on-one with the people doing the work.
WHY WE GATHERED
Mississippi’s nonprofits carry a heavy load. They’re feeding families, mentoring young people, caring for survivors, and filling gaps in some of the hardest-hit communities in the country, in a state where nearly 18% of residents live below the poverty line. But many of these organizations run on small staffs and tight budgets, and too many have never had a real conversation with a funder that wasn’t a grant application.
Chat ’N Chew was built to change that. The Foundation for the Mid South partnered with the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy and the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi to create two days that would strengthen nonprofits from the inside and connect them with the people and institutions that fund the work.
DAY ONE: BUILDING STRONGER ORGANIZATIONS
The first day focused on capacity. Workshops covered funder relationships, turning data into stories, leadership and organizational culture, and financial strategy. A lunchtime strategy conversation and an evening funders reception with pitch training gave attendees room to practice what they’d learned.
Attendees didn’t wait long to put it to use. One leader went home and built a boilerplate document for future grant applications. Another started rethinking how her board could open doors to donors and partners, so board members make introductions while staff builds the relationships. Peggie Henderson of Family Biz Builder said a presenter sat with her one-on-one to help her tell her organization’s story in a way that connects.
DAY TWO: FROM LISTENING TO INVESTMENT
The second day turned toward funders. A CEO panel opened the morning, followed by a funder discussion series and roundtable rotations where nonprofit leaders spent about 20 minutes at a time with funders, asking questions, sharing their work, and learning what funders look for.
For many attendees, that time at the table was the highlight. Shelley of the Delta Blues Museum called the one-on-one roundtable time with funders “incredible.”
And those conversations are already turning into next steps. Of the attendees who responded to our feedback survey, seven out of ten said a roundtable conversation led to a follow-up, and the rest said one might.
WHAT ATTENDEES TOLD US
Early feedback has been strong. Nine out of eleven survey respondents rated Chat ’N Chew a five out of five, and ten out of eleven said they’re very likely to come back.
But the numbers don’t say it as well as attendees did:
“This was one of the most authentic and useful conferences I’ve been to. I felt like we were all in there solving problems and doing the work, not just talking about the work.” — Meg Lovett, Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center
“Bringing nonprofits and funders together to learn from one another, build relationships, and better understand each other’s needs is an important first step.” — Peggie Henderson, Family Biz Builder
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR COMMUNITIES
When a small nonprofit learns how to tell its story, builds a relationship with a funder, or finds a partner organization down the road doing similar work, the benefit doesn’t stay inside that organization. It reaches the families, students, survivors, and neighbors they serve.
That’s the real measure of Chat ’N Chew. Not how many people filled the room, but how many relationships leave the room and turn into stronger programs, shared resources, and investment in Mississippi communities.
“Mississippi’s nonprofits already know what their communities need. What they often don’t have is a seat across the table from the people who fund the work. Chat ’N Chew was about pulling up those chairs and making sure the conversation keeps going.” — Ebonee Johnikin, Chief Strategy Officer
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