News Release

Northwest Mississippi Conference A Huge Success

Southaven, May 2, 2003 - The Northwest Mississippi Conference for Nonprofits, held on May 2, 2002 at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, MS was a huge success. Underwritten by the Hernando based Maddox Foundation, the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits brought together nonprofits from the region together for two very successful meetings.

On March 6, 2002 a three hour planning and needs assessment meeting was coordinated by the Center in conjunction with the Maddox Foundation to explore interest in nonprofit management training and pinpoint specific training desired by local nonprofits. A very successful meeting was attended by more than 70 nonprofit and community leaders at the DeSoto Civic Center.

Building on the training needs identified, the MS Center planned and conducted a day-long management conference for nonprofit leaders from 9-4 PM< May 2, 2002 that featured seven separate sessions on Fundraising, Financial and Legal Compliance, Building Community Partnerships, Grant-seeking, Measuring Program Outcomes, and Mission-Oriented Marketing and Communication Strategies. The noon program focused on Board Development.

This first-ever Northwest Mississippi nonprofit training seminar drew some 80 nonprofit staff and board members and won exceptional ratings from the participants.