The next Competitive Grant Cycle opens on August 1. Community Foundation is offering two Grant Applicant Training sessions for all applicants. Trainings are optional but are highly encouraged for first-time applicants.

• Session 1 - July 21 at 11 a.m.
• Session 2 - August 4 at 11 a.m.

Reservations are required and can be made with the link below. Trainings will be held in Community Central at Community Foundation. 401 Edwards Street, Suite 125, Shreveport, LA 71101. 

SIGN UP TODAY 

IMPORTANT DATES

• Grant Applicant Training Session 1
• July 21 at 11 a.m.
• Competitive Grant Applications Open
• August 1 at 8 a.m.
• Grant Applicant Training Session 2
• August 4 at 11 a.m.
• Competitive Grant Applications Close
• August 21 at 4 p.m.

cfnla.org/grants

Navigating disasters can be complex. In the first days following a disaster, most organizations are focused on securing shelter, food, water, and supplies. That said, another critical component of recovery that warrants our focus and attention concerns legal issues.

Legal Aid Resources Webinar

The Greater New Orleans Foundation is proud to partner with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) for a webinar spotlighting legal issues, resources, and other information in or after a disaster. Please join them on Wednesday, July 20th from 12:00-1:00 pm for Legal Aid Resources in Disaster Preparedness and Recovery webinar with Laura Tuggle, Executive Director of SLLS.

This webinar is free, but registration is required. 

REGISTER NOW

Disaster Title Clearing Project

Thanks to support from AARP, Louisiana Appleseed Center and Southeast Louisiana Legal Services have launched a Coalition dedicated to estate planning, successions, powers of attorney, and related matters for low-income families impacted by Hurricane Ida. Screened and qualified applicants are eligible to have any court costs related to estate planning and clear title covered by the program. The Coalition is available to provide attorneys at your next event who can answer questions related to estate planning.

Organizations interested in more information, or that want to host an in-person educational event for staff or directly impacted communities, should contact Adrienne at AWheeler@LouisianaAppleseed.org.

Legal Resources for People with Disabilities

Disability Rights Louisiana provides legal and advocacy services to people with disabilities around disaster-related issues like: FEMA disputes; accessing medical care, equipment, sign language interpreters in the wake of a disaster; accessing special education services after evacuating; and more. Learn more here.

Additional Disaster Resources

The last disaster preparedness newsletter focused on creating a Continuity of Operations Plan for organizations. It is also important that individuals prepare their own personal disaster kits. Emergency Legal Responders has created a guide for the documents you'll need to include in your own personal emergency kit. This includes identification, housing, financial documents, and more. Click here to access the guide.

CreateAthon is a national organization whose mission is to champion effective, nonprofit marketing through pro bono “creative marathons.” For 24 hours, the BBR team will cease all regular operations to focus their time and talents on marketing for nonprofits in the community.

Since 2019, through a partnership with CreateAthon, BBR has donated over $382,000 worth of marketing services across nine Louisiana nonprofits. This year’s event is on September 22 and 23, and will provide free production deliverables for selected nonprofits.

CreateAthon Service Offerings include:
• Social Media Strategy & Content Development
• Email Marketing
• Event Branding, Planning & Promotion
• Marketing & Advertising Campaign Development • Marketing Plan

For more information, email: createathon@bbrcreative.com.

APPLY BY JULY 8, 2022

LEARN MORE

The Center for Literacy & Learning was founded in 1992. They have office locations in Metairie, Baton Rouge, Alexandria and work is done state and nationwide

Mission statement: Advance literacy and learning through evidence-based practices in the classroom, home, and community.

Top Goal: Everyone is empowered through literacy

As temperatures rise and summer approaches, we are reminded that Hurricane Season is here. 

Here are some resources and opportunities that can help you and your organization become better prepared for hurricane season, which starts June 1.

• Resources and TipsCheck the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness website and Get a Game Plan for the State of Louisiana's latest information on hurricane preparedness.
• Follow @GOHSEP and @NolaReady on social media.If your organization provides critical support to disaster response efforts, you should be aware of the special needs registry and disaster re-entry placards. Both require registration through the parish in which your organization is located. Please note re-entry placards must be applied for yearly.
• Click here for your parish’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness contact information.Training OpportunitiesShelter Operations TrainingThe Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is hosting a Red Cross shelter training in partnership with Volunteer Louisiana and the State Citizen Corps Council.The training will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the First United Pentecostal Church (1020 South Range Ave. Denham Springs, LA 70726). A portion of this training can be attended virtually. See the agenda and register here. Registration is first-come-first-serve and subject to approval if capacity is exceeded.
• NOLA Ready Presentations and Outreach (Orleans Parish only)Is your organization working with historically underserved communities (particularly the unhoused, elderly, children & families, low-income, and/or undocumented individuals)? Request a 2022 hurricane preparedness training from NOLA Ready for your organization or community by completing the form at ready.nola.gov/training.

We know many nonprofits across our 13-parish region have and are still supporting rebuilding efforts in response to Hurricane Ida and the tornadoes in St. Bernard parish. It is our hope that sharing these resources and training opportunities will help us all be well-prepared as we head into another hurricane season.If you know of additional Hurricane Preparedness learning opportunities that we should be aware of, please let us know! And be sure to stay tuned for our next Disaster Preparedness email regarding Continuity of Operations Plans.

For questions or comments, contact Kristen Craig at kristen@gnof.org. 

Kids' Orchestra was founded in Baton Rouge in 2010.

MISSION: To build a community of creative, confident, and socially engaged students through music education.

Their top goal right now is to offer high-quality afterschool musical instruction in a safe and nurturing space for all children.

The Bossier Arts Council (BAC) was created in 1980 through a joint effort by a local arts organization and the City of Bossier. The Bossier Arts Council continues to partner with the City to provide excellence in the arts for citizens and visitors. Over the years BAC has grown, focusing on expanding arts opportunities in community theatre, visual arts, festivals and exhibits, arts education for children and adults, public arts, and grants opportunities.

The Bossier Arts Council is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and providing cultural events and programming in order to enhance the quality of life and to develop a cultural identity for Bossier Parish.

Located at 630 Barksdale Blvd
Bossier City, LA 71111

ONLINE GIVING IS NOW OPEN!
APRIL 19 - MAY 3

North Louisiana's largest philanthropic giving event is back in its ninth year! Last year, over 5,500 donors came together to raise a record $2.2 MILLION for 239 area nonprofits. Choose your causes today and let's work together to transform our community! 

Giving is easy:

1. Visit giveforgoodnla.org now through May 3 to browse 221 participating nonprofits.
2. Choose your favorite causes and add them to your cart. Whether you give $10 or $10,000, every gift is indispensable to the nonprofits and the community members they support.
3. Check out in one easy step! You'll receive a tax receipt immediately via email.

Let's work together to create a stronger, more vibrant North Louisiana!

The Association of Fundraising Professionals' Baton Rouge Chapter is currently welcoming new members!

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Baton Rouge has been named a 2022 Ten Star GOLD Chapter, offering members the opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage in creative thinking, network with new friends, and achieve great results in their work. AFP offers many free and discounted resources for fundraisers as well as other opportunities to grow your career and better our community.

As a benefit to achieving our Gold Star Status, AFP-Baton Rouge has the ability to gift a one-year membership to two potential new members. To qualify for the complimentary membership organizations are required to join one of the diverse committees and commit to attending 90% of chapter meetings (these double as educational sessions with networking opportunities).

If you are interested in a complimentary membership or have questions please email Kristy Mayes, our Vice President of Membership (kristy.mayes@ohcc.org), and Nicole Falkenheiner, our IDEA Chair (nfalkenheiner@manshiptheatre.org), describing your organization, when it was founded, your role at your organization, and how long you have been in fundraising.

Any additional information is welcome. 

Go for the Gold

Candid is extending a special offer to small nonprofits with less than $500,000 in revenue or expenses. Earn a 2022 Candid Gold Seal to qualify for one year of free access to Foundation Directory Essential, a resource to help you win more grants. Offer details. 

Please contact Candid if you’d like to schedule a Candid Profile training in the coming months. Candid offers at least two free trainings for Alliance members.