Creating a Vibrant and Diverse Coastal Community Where All Can Thrive! | | BCF Brings Parish Leaders Together For Conversation and Collaboration | | Bayou Community Foundation recently hosted its first Parish Leaders Lunches in Lafourche and Terrebonne, bringing together local leaders for conversation, connection and collaboration around the needs, opportunities and future of the communities we serve. | | |
Our Terrebonne Parish Leaders Lunch held on September 16, followed by the Lafourche Parish Leaders Lunch on September 23, provided an opportunity for local leaders to connect, share perspectives and learn more about Bayou Community Foundation's work throughout the region.
During the lunches, Bayou Community Foundation shared updates on ongoing initiatives, including ANCHOR the Bayou and Rebuild the Bayou, while inviting discussion about some of the most critical needs facing local residents.
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Conversations touched on issues including housing, food security, mental health care and early childhood education, as well as opportunities to work together to address these challenges.
More than simply sharing information, the Leaders Lunches were an opportunity to strengthen relationships, encourage collaboration and share our common goal to build communities where ALL can Thrive!
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We are grateful to the Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish leaders who shared
their time, insight and ideas with us.
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Grand Isle Residents
Share Strengths and Challenges during BCF's Community Listening Session
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Over 40 island residents and others who provide services to residents on the island shared with us the community's strengths, such as neighbors' care for each other and the critical services provided by Grand Isle Volunteer Fire Department,Jefferson Parish Council on Aging, Grand Isle School, Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church and other local churches and organizations.
They also shared challenges that continue five years after Hurricane Ida such as affordable rental housing for local workers, health care access, and transportation. AND THEY DREAMED BIG with ideas to address many of these needs.
Bayou Community Foundation is working with our nonprofit and government partners, donors and all those who love Grand Isle like we do to build on current resources, fill these critical needs and strengthen the resilience of this irreplaceable island community!
Thank you, Mayor David Camardelle and staff, for helping us coordinate this important listening session.
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Local Nonprofits Build Financial Stewardship in
BCF's "Grant Budgets and Beyond" Workshop
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Strong Missions Need Strong Budgets!
On September 8, local nonprofit leaders joined Bayou Community Foundation for our latest workshop, “Grant Budgets and Beyond: Practical Budgeting for Nonprofit Leadership and Mission Sustainability,” and gained practical tools to build stronger budgets, make informed decisions and support sustainable missions.
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A huge thank you to Helene Wall of Wall Consulting Services and Joe Clements of Crown Consulting, LLC for sharing their knowledge and expertise, and to our local nonprofit leaders for joining us and bringing such great energy and engagement to the workshop.
We would also like to thank Louisiana Blue for FUELING this workshop, along with so many of Bayou Community Foundation's other learning opportunities that are essential to strengthening local nonprofit capacity.
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ANCHOR the Bayou Hosts Training for
Effective Community Engagement
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Bayou Community Foundation's ANCHOR the Bayou program was delighted to host a new interactive workshop on September 17 - MEET 2.0 (Meaningful and Effective Engagement Training) - presented by our friends from the Community Resilience Center at The Water Institute!
Alongside other local nonprofit and community leaders, our ANCHOR leadership cohort and Bayou Community Foundation staff gained practical tools to effectively and inclusively engage and connect with residents and build community leadership.
Bringing people together, listening to our community and ensuring diverse voices are part of the conversation are essential to address critical needs and create a community where ALL CAN THRIVE. We are grateful for opportunities like MEET 2.0 that help us grow this important work!
| | BCF's Reflects on 5 Years of Recovery | | As we marked the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Ida last month, Bayou Community Foundation President & CEO Jennifer Armand reflected on the incredible impact of BCF’s Rebuild the Bayou housing program as guest on HTV’s Bayou Time. | | Out and About with BCF Staff | | Local Leaders Get a Sneak Peak of Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex | | Earlier this month, Bayou Community Foundation's President/CEO Jennifer Armand joined our friends from the Morganza Action Coalition, local levee officials and industry representatives for a sneak-peak at construction progress on the Houma Navigation Canal Lock Complex south of Dulac. This critical link in the 98-mile Morganza to the Gulf levee, lock and levee protection system will protect 200,000 Terrebonne and Lafourche residents from potentially deadly storm surge and maintain thousands of acres of vital wetlands. Completion of the HNC Lock is anticipated in 2027. | | | |
Time is Running Out!!
Less Than Two Weeks Left to Register for BCF's 2026 Nonproift Conference
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Bayou Community Foundation invites you to attend our 2026 conference JUST FOR NONPROFITS on Thursday, October 8 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Fletcher Technical Community College.
This year's theme, “LEAD, GROW, INSPIRE!”, brings together nonprofit professionals, Board members, volunteers and community leaders for a day of learning, collaboration and inspiration with an incredible slate of amazing speakers and exhibitors on tap.
| | You won’t want to miss it! | | Don't Miss the Bayou Regions MUST ATTEND NONPROFIT EVENT! Registration Closes Monday, October 5! | | NEW Nonprofit Grant Opportunity NOW OPEN: ANCHOR the Bayou Ripple Pilot Grants | | |
Bayou Community Foundation's new ANCHOR the Bayou Ripple Pilot Grants will fund new and expanding nonprofit programs specifically serving residents of South Lafourche or South Terrebonne.
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded for projects or capacity-building efforts that align with ANCHOR the Bayou priorities, including housing, education-to-career pathways, health care, community spaces and connection, and disaster preparedness.
| | | Grant Applications are OPEN NOW and due October 21 at 5:00 p.m. | | |
Stay Up-to-Date on all BCF news by following us on social media and
viewing our NEW BCF EVENT CALENDAR.
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