FBLA Foundation

• Foundation History (for new FBLA Advisers)
• The Mississippi FBLA Foundation, Inc. was formed in 1987. The primary goal of this 501(c)(3) organization is promoting the education of Mississippi’s FBLA members.
• Mississippi’s Foundation was first of its kind in the national FBLA association. Other states have used Mississippi’s efforts as an example in forming their own foundations.
• Contributions are tax deductible.
• Income is placed in a trust account, and only the interest is disbursed.
• The amount disbursed yearly is dependent upon the amount of interest available and the number of students eligible to receive funds.
• The Foundation provides funds for the Rufus T. Jones Scholarship awarded yearly to one high school and one postsecondary student. Nominated students must be continuing their education in Mississippi with a major in a business or business-related field. Approximately $13,825 has been awarded in scholarships to date.

Join by December 31, 2023, to reap the benefits of membership! With the decline in the state FBLA funds, each local chapter is encouraged to become a member of the Mississippi FBLA Foundation. Thirty-five (35) FBLA Collegiate students were eligible to receive the $350 support from the Foundation to attend the 2023 NLC. Chapters are encouraged to solicit business memberships. The Foundation is also continuously recruiting new board members.

Please consider sending in contributions early in the fall for maximum accrual of interest.

New guidelines this year: If your chapter has contributed $1,000 or more over the life of the Foundation, your chapter is considered an Honorary Life Member (cumulative). The following active FBLA chapters are considered Honorary Life Members: Copiah-Lincoln CC, Wesson; Delta State University; East Central CC; Holmes CC, Ridgeland; Jones College; Meridian CC, BOT; Meridian CC, IST; Mississippi Delta CC; Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Harrison County; Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, Perkinston; Northeast Mississippi CC; and University of Mississippi, Tupelo.

The deadline for sending contributions to be eligible to nominate a chapter member for the Rufus T. Jones Scholarship and to be eligible for NLC assistance is December 31 (no exceptions).

To receive Foundation financial disbursements for the 2024 NLC and to nominate a member for the Rufus T. Jones Scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:

• Chapter membership ($50 bronze membership) and
• One bronze membership ($50) from a business or an additional $50 from your chapter (for a silver membership)
• If your chapter is an honorary life member (through a single contribution or cumulative contributions), a bronze membership ($50) from the chapter or a business is required to be eligible for disbursements.

Contributions must be postmarked on or before December 31 and mailed to:

Mississippi FBLA-PBL Foundation
BankPlus Wealth Management Group
Attention: Jessica Horne
1200 Eastover Drive, Suite 300
Jackson, MS 39211

A copy of the current FBLA Foundation agreement is attached and is available in Canvas. Please include a copy of the Foundation Agreement with all contributions. Contact Lisa Courtney, Foundation Secretary, at [email protected] if you have any questions.