Q Under the authority of Section 21-17-1(8), may a municipality provide a donation of matching funds to any program administered by the State of Mississippi, the United States government, or any nonprofit organization, or may it only match funds to those types of programs enumerated in Section 21-19-65?

A Section 21-17-1(8) permits a municipality “to match any state, federal or private funding for any program administered by the State of Mississippi, the United States Government or any nonprofit organization that is exempt under 26 USCS. Section 501(c) (3) from paying federal income tax.” However, any donation of matching funds pursuant to this Section must further a proper municipal purpose. (Attorney General’s Opinion to Melchi, September 20, 2019)