Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation

Who We Are > What We Fund

LDRF provides resources for the relief, recovery and betterment of Louisiana's people and communities, ensuring that access and opportunity are available to all as the state rebuilds.

Committed to responding to the immediate relief needs of the people of Louisiana quickly and responsibly, as of January 2008 LDRF has awarded $26,314,499 to the following 131 organizations. more

The board and staff of the Foundation are committed to funding and promoting strategies that result in a better, more equitable Louisiana that offers all people – regardless of race, economic status, and gender – the opportunity for full participation in its economy and society.

LDRF’s commitment to our mission can be seen in the carefully crafted grantmaking strategies below that outline how we will support the state of Louisiana through relief and recovery and ultimately to the betterment of its people and communities.

Support Relief
LDRF’s primary relief strategy is to support the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps (LFRC). Created by Governor Blanco after the hurricanes, LFRC provides direct case management assistance to displaced families throughout the state of Louisiana needing services. LDRF with support from the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund awarded $3.75 million to LFRC.

In addition to our support to LFRC, we have invested more than $3 million in Louisiana based nonprofits providing direct relief and recovery services in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Support Community Organizing
The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation is committed to promoting equity and inclusion as communities rebuild by providing resources and ensuring access for the direct involvement of Louisiana’s people, especially those who have not traditionally had a voice in the decisions that affect their lives and livelihoods. Community organizing is an effective tool in equipping displaced residents with the ability to organize, advocate for, and be involved in the many decisions affecting their lives.

We are excited to announce two funds that promote and support community organizing in the devastated areas of Louisiana: New Orleans Planning and Organizing Fund and Louisiana Organizers Renewal Award.

Support Nonprofit Housing Development and Small Business Rebuilding
The Bush Clinton Katrina Fund awarded LDRF $21.4million to support nonprofit housing development and redevelopment of small businesses affected by hurricane Katrina. LDRF will do the following:

Strengthen the Nonprofit Sector
 Louisiana ’s nonprofits, which have always worked tirelessly for the people and communities throughout Louisiana, now face doubly challenging times. Those serving areas that have provided shelter for evacuees are being asked to increase their services quickly and efficiently, often without an increase in local giving.

Those damaged by the hurricanes must determine their futures, deciding whether and how to realign their original missions to meet the changing demands. The LDRF is therefore committed to providing flexible and appropriate assistance to making the nonprofit sector a vibrant, healthy, and indispensable partner during the rebuilding process.

A Focus on Public Policy
As generous as the nation and the world have been, philanthropic contributions will provide only a tiny fraction of the resources needed to rebuild fully and equitably.

In order to leverage its limited funds, LDRF has a primary interest in generating and supporting public policy and advocacy strategies by nonprofits. These efforts will focus on ensuring the effective and accountable use of public and private funds so that they are used to address the needs of residents who have historically had the least access to resources.

Concentrate on a Core Set of Issues
All areas of Louisiana’s economy and community structures were affected by the hurricanes. However, in order to maximize the impact of its limited resources, the LDRF will primarily make grants in five issue areas especially important to helping communities recover their vibrancy and economic health: