Mississippi Urban League

What Mississippi Urban League does

The Mississippi Urban League is a private nonprofit affiliate of the National Urban League headquartered at 2548 Livingston Road, Suite 1, Jackson, Mississippi. Formed from the predecessor organization Mississippi Roadmap to Health Equity, it serves African-Americans and other historically underserved communities across Mississippi, focusing on sustainable pathways to health equity, improved educational outcomes, economic empowerment, and civil rights. Its program portfolio spans maternal and child health (SIPPS Mothers' Forum with quarterly educational webinars and a free baby resource closet), financial empowerment (Individual Development Account matched-savings program for education, homeownership, or small business startup), senior engagement (Fred Gross Seniors Program meeting twice monthly to address social isolation), food security (UMMC EversCare Food Pantry partnership and broader produce distribution initiative), and disaster recovery coordination (Hinds County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Committee). A volunteer auxiliary, the Mississippi Urban League Young Professionals (MULYP), targets adults aged 21-40 for volunteerism and philanthropy.

The organization's underlying technology stack is intentionally minimal and oriented around community delivery rather than software: donations are processed through QuickClick and PayPal, event registration for the annual Golfing for Good tournament runs on QuickClick, and educational programming uses Zoom webinars. Programs are distributed through direct outreach from the Jackson headquarters, through partner locations including UMMC and faith-based venues, and via mobile distribution events reaching Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Bolivar, Sharkey, and Tallahatchie Counties. Strategic partners include the University of Mississippi Medical Center (Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute), Mississippi Food Network, Southern Poverty Law Center, Baby2Baby, PriorityOne Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, United Way of the Capital Area, Red Cross, and MEMA.

The revenue model is a multi-stream nonprofit structure: grants and foundation funding (notably UnitedHealthcare's Empowering Health program and SPLC food security grants), individual and corporate donations processed online via QuickClick and PayPal or by check, Young Professionals annual membership dues at $50 per year, and event-based fundraising including the Golfing for Good tournament with individual ($100), team ($400), and hole-in-one ($150) registrations plus tiered sponsorships from $500 (Hole Sponsorship) to $5,000 (Mission Driver). Leadership is Dr. Portia Ballard Espy (President/CEO), supported by a small 1-10 person staff and a Board of Directors chaired by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dr. Tyrone A. Williams with Vice Chair Rev./Dr. K. Jason Coker, Treasurer Dr. Alan P. Branson, and Secretary Dr. Carolyn DuPre'.

Name

Mississippi Urban League

Legal name

Mississippi Urban League

Website

https://msul.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Mississippi Urban League is a Jackson, Mississippi-based nonprofit affiliate of the National Urban League that delivers community programs addressing health equity, education, economic empowerment, and disaster recovery for historically underserved Mississippians across maternal, senior, and disaster-affected populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Housing Services (62422), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL), State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM), Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

Keywords

• Community services
• Nonprofit programs
• Food insecurity relief
• Disaster recovery services
• Civil rights advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Jackson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grants and Foundation Funding: Primary revenue stream from healthcare organizations and foundations including UnitedHealthcare's Empowering Health program grants and Southern Poverty Law Center grants for food security and community programs.
2. Donations: Individual and corporate donations accepted online via secure portal and PayPal, or by check to the organization's headquarters.
3. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for the Mississippi Urban League Young Professionals auxiliary at $50 per year, providing access to events, resources, and networking opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Mississippi Urban League is a nonprofit organization that delivers community-based social service programs to historically underserved Mississippians, focusing on health equity, educational outcomes, economic empowerment, and disaster recovery. It operates programs including the SIPPS Mothers' Forum (maternal/child support), Individual Development Account matched-savings program, Fred Gross Seniors social isolation program, the EversCare Food Pantry partnership, and the Hinds County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Committee. Funding is generated through foundation grants, individual/corporate donations, and Young Professionals membership dues.

Product overview

The Mississippi Urban League operates as a community services organization offering a portfolio of social impact programs rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include maternal and child support (SIPPS Mothers' Forum), financial empowerment (Individual Development Account Program), senior engagement (Fred Gross Seniors), food security (EversCare Food Pantry partnership and food distribution), and disaster recovery coordination. The organization also runs MULYP as a young professionals auxiliary and conducts annual fundraising events including the Golfing for Good tournament. Online donation processing is handled through PayPal and QuickClick, with virtual programming via Zoom webinars.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Donation Portal Secure online donation processing system allowing donors to contribute funds via QuickClick and PayPal with options for one-time and recurring donations to support the Mississippi Urban League's community programs.
• SIPPS Mothers' Forum Maternal and child support program providing breastfeeding promotion, health education, nutrition resources, and a free baby resource closet for mothers throughout Mississippi.
• Individual Development Account (IDA) Program Matched savings account program helping individuals and families with lower incomes build financial stability, with matching funds for goals such as education, homeownership, or small business startup.
• Mississippi Urban League Fred Gross Seniors Program Social isolation reduction program for older adults, meeting twice monthly to provide companionship, discussion opportunities, and community engagement activities.
• UMMC EversCare Food Pantry Partnership Community food pantry operated in partnership with University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi Food Network to address food insecurity and health-related social factors.
• Hinds County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Committee Disaster recovery coordination initiative addressing unmet needs of Hinds County residents following county, state, or federally declared disasters, working with social services and faith-based organizations.
• Mississippi Urban League Young Professionals (MULYP) Membership Annual $50 membership to the Mississippi Urban League Young Professionals auxiliary for adults ages 21-40, including a lapel pin, member discounts for events, and Urban League updates.
• Golfing for Good Tournament Annual fundraising golf tournament supporting the Mississippi Urban League's mission, offering individual and team registration, hole-in-one contest entry, and multi-tier sponsorship packages.
• Food Distribution Program Community food distribution initiative partnering with Southern Poverty Law Center and Mississippi Food Network to distribute fresh produce boxes to families experiencing food insecurity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,200 boxes (24,000 lbs) of fresh produce distributed to families in need
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mississippi Food NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Mississippi Food Network to distribute fresh produce boxes to families in need across Mississippi communities.
• Baby2BabycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Baby2Baby to distribute essential baby items (diapers, wipes, formula, hygiene kits) to families affected by winter weather in Sharkey County, Durant, and Tallahatchie County.
• PriorityOne BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with PriorityOne Bank on $120,000 roof repair project for 8 families whose roofs were damaged during storms. John Price of PriorityOne Bank led the initiative.
• University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMMC Ambulatory EversCare Clinic operates a community food pantry in partnership with the Mississippi Urban League through the Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities.
• United Way of the Capital AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way of the Capital Area serves as the fiscal agent for the Hinds County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Committee, which was formed and led by Mississippi Urban League.
• M.E.S.S. MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental, Emotional, and Spiritual Support (M.E.S.S.) training partnership where Mississippi Urban League Program Manager Ida Patterson served as a M.E.S.S. trainer.
• Lutheran Disaster ResponseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Support training in Jackson.
• Bolivar County Board of SupervisorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the 1st Annual Disaster Preparedness Fair in Cleveland, MS.
• Bolivar County Long-Term Disaster Recovery CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the 1st Annual Disaster Preparedness Fair in Cleveland, MS.
• Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor/partner at the 1st Annual Disaster Preparedness Fair.
• Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor/partner at the 1st Annual Disaster Preparedness Fair.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hope Enterprise Corporation / Hope Credit Union: Mississippi-headquartered CDFI providing financial services and economic development to underserved communities. Directly comparable as a mission-driven Mississippi organization addressing economic empowerment, with overlapping board ties and financial-literacy/community-development overlap.
• Baby2Baby: National nonprofit providing essential items to children in poverty, with which MSUL partners on disaster-response baby-item distribution. Directly comparable as a partner organization addressing material hardship for vulnerable families in overlapping geographies.
• United Way of the Capital Area: Jackson, Mississippi-based United Way affiliate that serves as fiscal agent for MSUL's Hinds County Long-Term Disaster Recovery Committee. Directly comparable as a regional funder and convener for health and human services in the same Jackson-area market.
• Mississippi Food Network: Mississippi's largest food bank and a direct MSUL partner on produce distribution. Directly comparable as a Mississippi food-security nonprofit that MSUL partners with to deliver food assistance in overlapping counties.
• Southern Poverty Law Center: Alabama-headquartered civil rights nonprofit that is also an active MSUL grant partner on food-security initiatives. Directly comparable as a Southern-focused civil rights and social justice organization that funds and operates community-facing programs in the same states.
• Mississippi Center for Justice: Mississippi-based legal advocacy nonprofit whose Health Law Director sits on MSUL's board. Directly comparable as a Mississippi nonprofit pursuing social justice and health equity through advocacy and direct services to underserved communities.
• William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation: Mississippi-based racial reconciliation and community-building institute where MSUL's current CEO previously served as Executive Director. Directly comparable as a Mississippi nonprofit focused on racial equity, civic engagement, and community-building.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross (Mississippi Region): National disaster-response organization partnered with MSUL on the 1st Annual Disaster Preparedness Fair in Cleveland, MS. Comparable as a larger established disaster response and recovery operator active in the same Mississippi counties.
• Children's Defense Fund: National child advocacy organization where MSUL's CEO previously worked. Comparable as a broader-incumbent child and family policy nonprofit with overlapping constituencies on child poverty, health, and education.
• National Urban League: The national parent network of which the Mississippi Urban League is an affiliate. Directly comparable as the umbrella civil rights and economic empowerment organization that MSUL operates within; serves similar constituents across employment, education, health equity, and civic engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/msurbanleague
• Facebookfacebook.com/MSUrbanLeague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mississippi-urban-league

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mississippi Urban League