CREATE Foundation's Clayborne to Retire in June
Mike Clayborne, who has led the Mississippi-based community foundation for thirty years, plans to step down as its president.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Philanthropy
Mike Clayborne announced he will retire as president of the CREATE Foundation in June. The foundation, the largest and oldest community foundation in Mississippi, is preparing its transition to new leadership.
Why it matters
Clayborne's departure marks the end of a three-decade tenure that saw the foundation's assets grow substantially. Its leadership change matters to donors, nonprofits and students who rely on its grants and scholarship funds across the state.
CREATE's assets rose from 13 million dollars when Clayborne took over to 210 million dollars now, across a seventeen-county service area. The announcement did not identify a successor or the timing of the search.
The players
CREATE Foundation
The CREATE Foundation is the largest and oldest community foundation in Mississippi, serving a seventeen-county area in the northeastern part of the state.
Mike Clayborne
Mike Clayborne has led the CREATE Foundation as president for thirty years and is now preparing to retire.
George McLean
George McLean, a Daily Journal publisher, created the CREATE Foundation in 1972.
The details
The CREATE Foundation, created by Daily Journal Publisher George McLean in 1972, helps individuals, businesses, families and nonprofits establish permanent endowments, donor advised funds and student scholarship funds. It also distributes local grants, guides community affiliate programs and manages the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation for high school juniors and seniors.
Timeline
1972: CREATE Foundation is created by George McLean.
About 1996: Mike Clayborne becomes president of the foundation.
June: Clayborne's planned retirement takes effect.
December 11: CREATE serves as Grand Marshal of the Tupelo Reed's Christmas Parade.
Market Landscape
As the oldest community foundation in Mississippi, CREATE has grown from a 1972 founding by George McLean into a seventeen-county institution holding 210 million dollars. Its leadership change arrives as the state's philanthropic sector depends on long-established local foundations to manage endowments and grants.
Donors and nonprofits working with CREATE may see new leadership and continuity questions after June. Families considering endowments or scholarship funds in the foundation's seventeen-county area should watch for the successor announcement.
The takeaway
Long-tenured leaders often build the institutional memory that sustains community foundations, so donors should ask how a successor will continue existing funds and grant priorities. Clear communication during transitions helps protect the trust that keeps local philanthropy working.
Further reading
Explore more on Philanthropy to see how community foundations like CREATE shape giving across the state.
