The Baton Rouge Area Foundation took immediate short-term and long-term action as soon as the face of Hurricane Katrina was upon its state. By August 30, Baton Rouge had become the largest city in Louisiana, growing from 400,000 to an estimated one million. By the evening of the first day after the storm, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation had opened its doors to the New Orleans Community Foundation, and announced the creation of two funds, the Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund and the Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund, to aid care and recovery efforts.
As of early 2006 Baton Rouge Area Foundation had received a total of $30.7 million: $14.2 for the Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund, $6.9 million for donor advised hurricane funds, $4.6 million for the Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund, $3 million for employee assistance funds, $866,853 for an educational fund, $511,531 for a medical fund, and $500,000 for a planning fund. Gifts originated from four primary sources: 33% individuals, 32% private foundations, 20% corporations, and 15% community foundations. Of the ninety community foundations that contributed over $4.7 million in total to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Aspen Community Foundation was third for overall donations at $153,455, following the California Community Foundation and Community Foundation of New Jersey.
For more information, please contact Aspen Community Foundation, 110 East Hallam Street, Suite 126, Aspen, info@aspencommunityfoundation.org, 970/925-9300.
