[10] Recognized for his contributions to the community, Kennedy and his wife, Sarah, were awarded the Philanthropists of the Year by the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Fund-raising Professionals in 2003.
The purpose of this institute is to identify innovative and cost-effective means for promoting and sustaining the educational success of vulnerable children.
Kennedy's gift sustains in perpetuity the teaching, research, and outreach program in waterfowl and wetlands ecology and conservation at MSU.
[11] In 2013, Tallahatchie General Hospital, with funding from Jim Kennedy, chairman of Cox Enterprises, announced plans to build a Wellness Center in Charleston, Mississippi.
[15] He also gave $3.3 million to Clemson University to establish and endow the James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center, headquartered at the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in Georgetown and Nemours Wildlife Foundation in Beaufort.
[17] Wetlands America Trust presented Kennedy with its 2014 National Blue-winged Teal Award for giving his time, talent and treasure for the conservation of natural resources.
[18] He encouraged sustainability through the company's participation in the American Business Act on Climate Change Pledge.
[20] He is currently cancer free and encourages Cox employees to participate in health screenings for early detection.
[21] In 2015, he announced a $25 million grant to Emory University from the James M. Cox Foundation that will support prostate cancer initiatives.