Empower Mississippi Foundation

Empower Mississippi Foundation
Basic facts
Location:	Ridgeland, Mississippi
Type:	501(c)(3)
Top official:	Grant Callen, Chief Executive Officer
Founder(s):	Grant Callen
Year founded:	2014
Website:	Official website

The Empower Mississippi Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group. The organization describes its work as "[putting] people over divisive politics, and [working] to give voice and hope to those most impacted by public policy decisions. We work to educate, engage, and elect Mississippians dedicated to removing barriers to opportunity."

Background

Grant Callen founded the Empower Mississippi Foundation in 2014 "to ensure that every Mississippian has access to a high quality education and meaningful work." Callen obtained his bachelor's degree in political science from Belhaven University and his master's degree in government from Regent University. He earlier served as director of development for the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.

As of September 2025, the organization described its mission as "a quality education for every child, meaningful work for every adult, and justice for all."

Leadership

As of September 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at Empower Mississippi:

• Grant Calley, founder and chief executive officer
• Wil Ervin, senior vice president
• Ashley Green, director of outreach
• Kienna Horn, director of communications
• Elyse Marcellino, director of embark
• Gina Metzger, executive vice president
• Dr. Patrick Miller, vice president of development
• Dr. Kristen Vance Richard, director of research

As of September 2025, the following individuals sat on the board of Empower Mississippi:

• Abb Payne, chairman
• Grant Callen
• Betsy Dowell
• Sunny Desai
• Gerard Gibert, treasurer
• Lex Lindsey
• Marie Sanderson
• George Williams

Work and activities

Legislative and policy work

As of September 2025, Empower Mississippi engaged in policy work in three issue areas: education, work, and justice.

Education

As of September 2025, Empower Mississippi described its policy priorities for education as follows:

“

Drive Innovation by Trusting Educators Teachers know their students better than anyone in the State Capitol or Washington, D.C. Yet too often their hands are tied by top-down controls that prevent them from meeting the needs of their students. We need to give teachers support and freedom to innovate in the classroom, focus on student outcomes, and change lives. Reignite a Passion for Education Our children are more than a standardized test score. The purpose of education is to prepare students for success in life. Every education policy decision should ensure Mississippi’s children are instilled with the desire to be lifelong learners, prepared to face the world. Give Families More Options Every child is unique and learns differently, but too often, our state’s education system treats them all the same. Families deserve options when it comes to their child’s education – and the ability to choose the best option for them with their tax dollars.

”

Work

As of September 2025, Empower Mississippi described its policy priorities for work as follows:

“

Accurately Identify Problems Why aren't more Mississippians working? Answering that question requires knowledge and understanding of our state’s current labor force and related issues. Empower is conducting groundbreaking research to discover the truth - and the people - behind the statistics, so that the real issues can be addressed in government and in the private sector. Remove Barriers to Employment Various Policy hurdles can impede a person’s ability to find a job or start a business. This includes regulations and red tape that can add unnecessary time and money to starting or running a business, or requiring a college degree for government jobs when one is not necessary for the task. It also includes government programs that may unintentionally discourage work. Expand Economic Opportunity Removing barriers isn’t enough; Mississippi must actively expand economic opportunities to become the most job-friendly state in the nation. This requires examining broader issues, such as the impact of tax structures on growth.

”

Justice

As of September 2025, Empower Mississippi described its policy priorities for justice as follows:

“

Safely Reduce Justice System Interactions Mississippi has the second-highest incarceration rate in the country. This is due, in part, to a complex web of criminal laws that include relatively minor offenses. Our justice system should be designed to promote public safety in the most cost-effective way possible. Ensure Due Process Our Constitution guarantees people a series of rights designed to protect them from having their freedom or property unjustly taken. The rule of law is essential to our system of justice, and laws must be clear, fair, and equally applied to every Mississippian. Provide a Pathway to Redemption People make mistakes, but most people should not be forever defined by those mistakes. Since 95% of those in prison will eventually be released, providing a pathway to rehabilitation and re-entry is paramount. Every person who can make the most of a second chance represents the potential of reconciled families, safer communities, and a stronger economy.

”

Notable endorsements

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Affiliations

As of September 2025, the Empower Mississippi Foundation had two directly affiliated groups: Empower Mississippi Ideas for Action, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, and Empower PAC, a political action committee. As of the same date, Empower Mississippi was one of five Mississippi organizations affiliated with the State Policy Network.

Finances

The following is a breakdown of the Empower Mississippi Foundation's revenues and expenses from 2014 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica.

Empower Mississippi Foundation financial data 2014-2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses
2014	$0.2 million	$0.1 million
2015	$0.2 million	$0.2 million
2016	$0.4 million	$0.4 million
2017	$0.4 million	$0.4 million
2018	$0.6 million	$0.6 million
2019	$0.7 million	$0.7 million
2020	$1.0 million	$0.7 million
2021	$1.0 million	$0.8 million
2022	$1.8 million	$1.3 million
2023	$1.9 million	$1.5 million

See also

• What is an influencer?
• 501(c)(3)

External links

• Empower Mississippi Foundation official website
• Empower Mississippi on Facebook
• Empower Mississippi on X
• Empower Mississippi on Instagram
• Empower Mississippi on LinkedIn