Philpott named new Community Foundation of Mississippi official
Credit: Community Foundation of Mississippi
July 8 -The Community Foundation for Mississippi (CFM) Monday announced the hiring of Jay Philpott as Vice President of Growth and Development.
Philpott has dedicated decades to nonprofit work, beginning as a student phonathon caller in high school and advancing through roles such as phonathon manager and advancement intern during his college years. Over the span of 25 years, he has honed his skills in marketing, fundraising, and revenue generation, primarily within independent schools, colleges, and universities across the Southeast Region.
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Philpott pursued his education at a boarding school in New York before earning his Bachelor of Arts in History from Presbyterian College (SC) and his Master of Science in Leadership with a concentration in higher education from the University of Memphis.
Throughout his career, he has spearheaded fundraising and revenue efforts at various institutions, including Presbyterian College (SC), Sweet Briar College (VA), Rhodes College (TN), The University of Memphis, St. George’s Independent School in Tennessee, Trinity-Pawling School (NY), and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Mississippi. His development work has taken him across the Southeast and Midwest, where he has cultivated relationships and secured funding for crucial educational initiatives.
In July of 2021, Philpott transitioned to The Education Group, a national search firm specializing in leadership searches for independent schools. During his tenure, he facilitated over ten searches for schools across several states and represented the firm at sales conferences. He completed more than ten searches for schools located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia and represented the firm at sales conferences.
His passion for facilities, endowment work, and nonprofit governance is evident through his service on various boards and committees, including those at St. Columba Episcopal Retreat and Conference Center (TN), St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral and as Vice President of the Dinsmor Neighborhood Home Owners Association in Mississippi.
Residing in Ridgeland with his wife Emily, who serves as the Director of Global Studies and an AP teacher at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Philpott cherishes family time and global travel adventures. An avid cyclist, he recently completed the entire 444-mile stretch of the Natchez Trace Parkway in four days, in addition to routine century rides, including the UCI Gran Fondo World Series at Cheaha State Park.
