United Way of Acadiana, in partnership with the American Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program, announces the Building Community Resilience Program designed to provide community-based emotional wellness and resilience activities for those directly affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“United Way of Acadiana seeks to fund programs to help survivors rebound from the life-altering events that occurred during and after the storms,” explained Angela Morrison, United Way of Acadiana Chief Programs Officer.   “As a result of the funding opportunity for regional non-profits, United Way of Acadiana hopes to foster programs to heal while demonstrating while normalizing the need individual support.”

United Way of Acadiana will grant funding awards to non-profit organizations around Acadiana to fund programs that work to enhance people’s emotional well-being, such as structured opportunities to share experiences, get respite, provide mutual support, and foster supportive networks within communities. 

“This program fits into the work the United Way of Acadiana is currently doing to support the hurricane recovery efforts,” said Margaret H. Trahan, CEO/President.  “By focusing on continuing needs and targeting assistance to the unique and varied challenges of different communities, non-profits can reach out to those in need of support for full emotional recovery.” 

The following eligibility requirements must be met in order to apply for a grant:
1. Applicant must be a nonprofit under Code 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service, or have a partner organization that is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and has experience acting as a fiscal conduit and providing other management assistance services.  The nonprofit status must be in good standing.  

2. Applicant or collaborating organization(s) have experience working with people impacted by the hurricanes, either directly or in partnership(s) with other nonprofits or public agencies included in the proposed project.

3. Applicant must provide services in at least one of the following parishes: Acadia, Evangeline, Lafayette, Iberia, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and/or Vermilion Parishes.

4. Applicant must submit a complete application with all requested attachments.

Proposals should be submitted to United Way of Acadiana and will be reviewed on a regular basis.  All proposals should be received no later than October 15, 2007.  Grant amounts will range between $5,000 and $50,000.  Submitted proposals do not guarantee funding to a nonprofit organization.  BCR proposals will be considered until all available funds for the region are expended.  

American Red Cross selected United Way of Acadiana as a regional affiliate to award funds to programs that meet the criterion for Building Community Resilience, as noted above. The American Red Cross is especially qualified to be a partner in recovery due to its extensive experience in responding to major national disasters. The Hurricane Recovery Program (HRP) is committed to helping survivors on the road to recovery while providing careful stewardship and accountability for the resources entrusted to it by the American public.

Click here for grant application.

For more information or for an application, please contact Chief Programs Officer Angela Morrison at 337-706-1202.