Creating a Vibrant and Diverse Coastal Community Where All Can Thrive!

August 20, 2026

Good Grows Here

News from Bayou Community Foundation

ANCHOR the Bayou Hits the Road for Bus Tours of South Lafourche and South Terrebonne!

Bayou Community Foundation's ANCHOR the Bayou Leadership Cohort recently hit the road with two community bus tours through South Lafourche and South Terrebonne. Designed to give cohort members a firsthand look at the people, places and partnerships that strengthen our coastal communities, the tours highlighted important community assets while creating opportunities to learn about local successes, challenges and opportunities to build social resilience.

In South Lafourche, cohort members visited the Cut Off Youth Center, Lafourche Parish Public Library South Lafourche Branch, Lady of the Sea General Hospital, Clinics and Pharmacies, and Catholic Community Center in Galliano.

Along the way, they heard from Lafourche Parish President Mitch Orgeron and representatives from Larose Regional Park and Civic Center, Lafourche Behavioral Health Center, Lafourche Parish Career Magnet Center and the Hope Center in Gallano about the important services and resources available to residents of South Lafourche.

Special thanks to Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office for providing buses and drivers for the South Lafourche tour.

In South Terrebonne, the cohort continued its exploration with visits to the Terrebonne Parish Library System's South Regional Branch, David Chauvin's Seafood Company and Clanton Chapel United Methodist Church.

Cohort members heard from Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Housing and Community Development, South Louisiana Medical Associates, Dulac Community Center, United Houma Nation and École Pointe-au-Chien.

The day also included a look at innovative resources serving the community, including HAP Organization's Mobile Unit, Fletcher Technical Community College's Mobile Training Lab and Terrebonne General Health System's CARE Unit. The tour concluded with a look at BCF's own Rebuild the Bayou initiative, including several of the 24 new storm-resistant homes built in Dulac through the program.

ANCHOR the Bayou is Bayou Community Foundation's grassroots, community-led initiative in partnership with The Water Institute’s Community Resilience Center to strengthen the long-term social resilience of our southern Lafourche and Terrebonne communities. To learn more about ANCHOR the Bayou, contact Project Manager Elizabeth Daigle at Elizabeth@BayouCF.org.

BCF Recognized by Louisiana BESE

as a Community Partner

BCF was honored to be recognized by our LA Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 3 Representative Sandy Holloway and the full Louisiana BESE as a Community Partner at the Board's August 19 meeting.

Working alongside educators, nonprofits, community leaders and partners committed to creating opportunities for children and families is an important part of BCF’s work to strengthen our precious Bayou Region.

We are grateful to BESE for this recognition and proud to continue investing in the people and organizations working every day to help create a community WHERE ALL CAN THRIVE!

BCF Presents $345,500 in Grants to 29 Local Nonprofits in 2026 “Growing Good” Grants Program

Bayou Community Foundation proudly presented grants totaling $345,500 to 29 local nonprofits today to fund the incredible work they do to serve neighbors in need in Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle. Join us in congratulating our 2026 grantees and every local nonprofit working tirelessly to make our precious community a place where ALL CAN THRIVE! We are growing good together!

Special thanks to our 2026 Grants Program Funding Champions:

The Gheens Foundation, Woodside Energy, and Chevron and

each and every donor whose charitable gift fuels these impactful grants.

BCF Supports Those Who Serve with

“Don’t Carry It Home” Workshop

On August 5, Bayou Community Foundation hosted “Don’t Carry It Home: Finding Balance in the Work of Helping Others,” a special workshop focused on supporting the people who spend their days caring for and helping others throughout our community.

We are deeply grateful to our workshop facilitator, Sarah Hensley, BSN, RN, for sharing her wisdom and practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries between work and home, staying connected to purpose and remaining the caring helpers we are while also respecting ourselves and the families we love.

Her presentation sparked meaningful conversations among participants about the challenges of caring deeply for others without carrying everything home.

We also extend our sincere thanks to the Lafourche Council on Aging for graciously hosting us and providing such a warm and welcoming space for this important conversation.

BayouHelp.org Helps Connect Students

to BayouHelp.org and Community Resources

On July 30, Bayou Community Foundation staff had the pleasure of attending Unitech Training Academy - Houma Campus's Care, Career & Community Connection Event.

We were excited to introduce Unitech students, faculty and staff to BayouHelp.org, BCF's FREE community resource database, while connecting with other local organizations that provide services and support throughout our community.

Thank you Unitech Training Academy for hosting this event and for helping connect your students and staff with valuable community resources that support success both in and out of the classroom!

Just For Our Nonprofits

Register NOW for "Grant Budgets and Beyond" Workshop September 8

Date: Tuesday, September 8

Time: 9:00–11:00 AM

Location: LUMCON Blue Works

335 Dickson Rd., Houma

Cost: $40 per person

Limited scholarships available

Contact@BayouCF.org or

985-219-0047

Registration is OPEN through Thursday, September 3.

Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to help nonprofit leaders build stronger budgets and use them as tools for planning, accountability, sustainability and fund development. Because budgeting is the FIRST step in delivering your nonprofit’s important work!

Whether you’re a Board director, Board member, staff member or nonprofit leader who wants to better understand the numbers behind the mission, this workshop is for you.

This workshop is FUELED by Louisiana Blue.

LAST DAY for Nonprofit Conference DISCOUNTED "Early Bird" Registration is September 1!

Register NOW through September 1 at the DISCOUNTED rate of $75 for BCF's 2026 Nonprofit Conference.

This year’s theme, “LEAD, GROW, INSPIRE!”, will bring together nonprofit professionals, board members, volunteers and community leaders for a day of learning, collaboration and inspiration.

Join us on Thursday,

October 8 at Fletcher Technical Community College for a day of LEARNING, CONNECTING and GROWING.

This conference is POWERED by Louisiana Blue, the Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits and Fletcher Technical Community College.

Interested in becoming a Conferece Sponsor or reserving Exhibitor space? Contact President and CEO Jennifer Armand at Jennifer@BayouCF.org or call 985-219-0047

Good Grows Here

www.BayouCF.org

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