BCF Awards $205,070 in Grants

(HOUMA) The Bayou Community Foundation (BCF) today presented grants totaling $205,070 to 28 non-profit organizations working in Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle as part of the foundation’s seventh annual competitive grants program.  With today’s announcement, the community foundation and its generous donors have funded 152 nonprofit grants worth over $1.2 million since 2013 to fill critical needs in our Bayou Region.

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Bayou giving from generous communities

HoumaToday.com

When it comes to generous giving, there aren’t many places that can outdo our own hometowns.

This part of south Louisiana is exceptionally generous and caring, and the evidence of it is everywhere around us. Most recently, it turned up in response to BayouGives, the online fundraising campaign that asked local donors to give to local nonprofits – groups that do all sorts of good things all year round and need our support to continue those good deeds.

They got it. In fact, in just the first day, donors accumulated more than $46,000 – an impressive total. But they weren’t done there. Originally intended to be a 24-hour event, organizers extended it to 48 hours for folks to help dozens of nonprofit groups get much-needed donations. In the end, nearly 500 donors had contributed more than $53,000.

“Sometimes 24 hours just isn’t enough time to do all you want to do, said Bayou Community Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Armand, whose group put together the event. “A lot of those (nonprofits) are volunteer-based organizations that still make great impacts in our community. BayouGives gives them an opportunity to showcase their work and reach out to donors in a way that they might not be able to throughout the year.”

In the face of the continuing downturn that has affected the local oil industry and cost thousands of jobs, more local people are in need of help than was the case just several years ago. Programs such as food banks, for instance, help make a difference in countless local lives, making it just a bit easier for families to make ends meet and put food on the table.

But that’s just one example of the kind of local organizations that get help from the community so they can turn around and help that very same community. It’s a wonderful way to remind ourselves that in our small part of the world, we really do rely on one another. We can help turn around the fortunes of those among us who need help. And we also know that when we need help, our friends and neighbors will be here to lend a hand.

Congratulations to all who played a part in this campaign. The people who gave, of course, deserve a huge portion of the praise. But the people who asked and who continue to do so much with the limited resources they get also deserve a round of applause.

Well done all around.

Nonprofits: Register for BayouGives by March 11!

Bayou Community Foundation is excited to announce the first-ever community giving day just for our Bayou Region – BayouGives on Tuesday, April 30!  Terrebonne, Lafourche and Grand Isle nonprofit organizations are eligible to participate in this 24-hour online giving event and nonprofit registration is now open through Monday, March 11 at www.BayouGives.org.

The goal of BayouGives is to inspire our Terrebonne, Lafourche and Grand Isle community to come together as one to support the critical work of our local nonprofits on this exciting giving day.  Join us in celebrating the unique culture and generous spirt of our Bayou Region by registering your nonprofit for BayouGives by March 11! For more information, visit www.BayouGives.orgor email Bayou Community Foundation at armandj@bayoucf.org.

February 6 Info Session for BayouGives

The Bayou Community Foundation will host an information session on Wednesday, February 6 for Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand nonprofits interested in learning more about the NEW BayouGives online giving event planned for April 30.

BayouGIVES Information Session

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 6, 2018

North Branch of the Terrebonne Parish Library

4130 West Park Avenue in Gray (across from H.L. Bourgeois High School)

Email armandj@bayoucf.org to let us know you will be attending!