The Cleveland Development Foundation Welcomes You

The mission of the Cleveland Development Foundation is to support initiatives that improve and enhance Cleveland and the quality of life for its citizens. The Cleveland Development Foundation was established in 2017 to serve as a fiscal sponsor for community partners and key stakeholders including the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, Bolivar County Library System, Cleveland School District, Delta State University, and Delta Arts Alliance. Some of the initiatives supported by the Foundation include 50 Nights of Lights, the Cleveland School District Dual Credit Program, Deep Roots Music, Cleveland Animal Shelter, City Beautification, the Martin and Sue King Railroad Museum, Cleveland Parks and Recreation, and the Cleveland Farmers Market.

About

The Cleveland Development Foundation is a nonprofit organization 501c3 that serves as a fiscal sponsor for organizations and projects in the community. By partnering with the Cleveland Development Foundation, these organizations are able to obtain grant funding and collection donations that offer donors a tax write-off.

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Our Programs

Cleveland Animal Shelter

The Cleveland-Bolivar County Animal Shelter’s mission is to facilitate the placement of stray and unwanted animals and pets in desirable homes; to establish and maintain an animal shelter and associated procedures that promote health, care, safe handling, and to prevent overpopulation; and the prevention of animal cruelty. The Shelter is here to partner with the community in order to manage animal welfare and provide education as to the keys to managing the animal population that has been left in our care both in Cleveland and Bolivar County.

Our Animal Shelter staff works diligently to provide the best care for our animals until they find their forever homes. Follow The Cleveland-Bolivar County Animal Shelter of Mississippi on Facebook for tips on caring for your fur babies and to see the sweet ones just waiting for you to give them a forever home through the gift of adoption!

50 Nights of Lights

50 Nights of Lights is Cleveland’s annual holiday light event, which starts on the second Saturday in November and continues until the end of December. Cleveland’s downtown is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring over 1 million lights. Lighted displays are placed along the green strip and on Court Street from downtown to Delta State University. The lights can be viewed by driving or by walking the downtown walking trail. 50 Nights of Lights is funded by donations made through the Cleveland Development Foundation.

Deep Roots Music-Cultivating Live Music in Cleveland

Our goal is to build on the culture of the blues and the birth of the American sound by celebrating and promoting roots music to our local community and visitors here in the heart of the Americana Music Triangle.

The Deep Roots music project showcases American roots music through live and recorded performances from a selected roster of local musicians. Additional roots music artists from the area make guest appearances throughout the Deep Roots seasons.

Find your groove in our creative community as we cultivate and celebrate our current ‘crop’ of musicians and tend to the roots of our musical heritage.

Cleveland Parks and Recreation

The Parks & Recreation Department maintains 10 parks with playground equipment and 19 ball fields, eight tennis courts, one gymnasium, one swimming pool, and two wading pools located throughout the city. Programs are offered in a variety of sports including baseball, softball, youth basketball, adult softball, and flag football. Our staff works diligently to offer additional events or special programs and has made efforts to look for ways to expand their current programming capabilities. Follow the Cleveland Park Commission on Facebook to find out what fun things are coming in the future!

The Cleveland, MS Farmers, Bakers, and Makers Market

Located on the Downtown green strip, the Cleveland, MS Farmers, Bakers, and Makers Market is one of Cleveland's most charming community assets. Open seasonally since 2005, farmers, hobby gardeners, bakers, makers, and more sell locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables as well as eggs, honey, baked goods, jams and jellies, pickled vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, and other unique Mississippi Delta items. Throughout the season, the market also features local musicians, master gardeners, kids' activities, taste tests, cooking demonstrations, and other special events.

The market provides a space where local vendors can sell directly to the public. Drawing from small farms, home gardens, cottage food operations, and makers of home-crafted goods throughout the Mississippi Delta and the state, the market strives to provide the public with an alternative to conventional marketplaces. The market strives to build community by promoting better health, social awareness, and public dialogues that drive a sustainable economic system for vendors, customers, the market, and the communities we serve.

The Cleveland, MS Farmer, Bakers, and Makers Market participates in the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Mississippi Certified Farmers Market Program.

Martin and Sue King Railroad Heritage Museum

Providing limitless education and abundant activities, the Martin and Sue King Railroad Heritage Museum has become a staple in the community. The largest model O-gauge train layout in the Southwest is the center of the museum. With no entry fee, the museum hosts visitors from Cleveland to California to England. The Railroad Museum is a true gem in Cleveland's downtown.

City Beautification

The Beautification Commission works to keep Cleveland a beautiful place. From planning city cleanups to planting roses and flowers throughout our city, this organization ensures that Cleveland always looks its best.

Chamber Scholars Program

The Foundation has assisted the Cleveland Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce with its Chamber Scholars Program. Chamber Scholars provides scholarships to Bolivar County high school seniors each year.