Baton Rouge Area Foundation

The Foundation is currently seeking skilled individuals to join our team as an Administrative Coordinator. The Administrative Coordinator will support the Enterprise Operations team with grant applications, internal and external stakeholder communications, document management and more. If you or someone you know would be a good fit, visit our job postings to learn more and apply! ?? https://lnkd.in/e_w7jfjE

#60for60 celebrates the incredible partnerships that have been pivotal in our journey. Hear real stories from our partners about the impact we've made together over six decades. Diana Payton, CEO of the YWCA and chair of the Board of Commissioners for the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority, discusses the transformative vision of the Ardendale Project. Watch now and join us in commemorating #60YearsOfBRAF! ?? https://lnkd.in/gZ68A88a

??? Save the Date! Tuesday, October 8, 2024 Join the Baton Rouge Area Foundation for an insightful event exploring the K-12 public school landscape in East Baton Rouge Parish. We’ll dive into over 20 years of data on educational outcomes, followed by a dynamic discussion between Chris Meyer, CEO of BRAF, and LaMont Cole, Superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools. This event will shine a light on both the challenges and opportunities in our local education system, while encouraging collaborative strategies to support every student. The event is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot now at braf.org/events!

We are excited to welcome our newest staff member, Damyionne Brown! Damyionne joins the Center for Nonprofit Excellence team as our Nonprofit Engagement Coordinator. ?? In her previous role at New Schools for Baton Rouge, she oversaw EnrollBR, helping thousands of families connect with educational resources and explore school choice options. Starting her career as an educator at Louisiana Key, Damyionne brings strong organization and communication skills, along with valuable experience in event planning and program management. In her new role, she’ll support the Foundation’s efforts to provide capacity-building programs to nonprofits across the capital region. Welcome aboard, Damyionne!

?? This #FoundationFriday, we're excited to share what our Civic Leadership team has been working on! Last week, BRAF convened the Early Childhood Education Task Force for its kick-off meeting at our office. Guided by recent insights from the Opportunity Data Project, the task force is focused on crafting a data-driven strategy to strengthen early childhood programs and increase funding efficiency parish-wide. Leaders from education, nonprofits, business, and philanthropy have come together to ensure the task force reflects diverse expertise from across the community. Together, we’re creating lasting impact!

Last week, we hosted our members for an exclusive sneak peek of the newly remodeled Main Street Market, operated by Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA) The updated space now features incubation areas for aspiring restauranteurs, a teaching kitchen, educational space, and a store for BREADA and its farming partners to sell goods beyond the Saturday farmers' markets. A collaboration between BRAF and the state, this transformation aligns with Plan Baton Rouge's vision to bring state offices downtown and activate first-floor spaces around parking garages.

The Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2025 John W. Barton Sr. Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award and Rising Star Award! These awards honor John Barton's philanthropic legacy by celebrating established and early-stage nonprofit leaders in the capital area. Members and Fund Advisors of the Foundation are invited to submit nominations. Winners will be announced at the Foundation's Annual Meeting. The deadline for submissions is October 18, 2024. Submit your nominations here: https://ow.ly/Lv6k50TzmmM Not a member but want to submit a nomination? Learn more about our membership options at braf.org/membership.

#60for60 celebrates the incredible partnerships that have been pivotal in our journey. Hear real stories from our partners about the impact we've made together over six decades. Ty McMains, former legal counsel for BRAF, discusses the organization's role in leading innovative projects, including the development of the Water Campus. Learn more about their impactful journey and ongoing partnership. Watch now and join us in commemorating #60YearsOfBRAF! ?? https://lnkd.in/gZrq3JzZ

We are excited to welcome Sydney Grafals, our new Donor Services Intern! Sydney is currently a student at the LSU Honors College, studying Anthropology and Public Relations. In her role, she will support the Foundation’s Philanthropic Advancement team by providing administrative and clerical assistance.? Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Sydney!

This month, BRAF members were invited to join an informative Insider Briefing led by Eric Dexter, our Vice President of Civic Leadership Initiatives. Eric presented an overview of our ongoing projects, providing valuable insights into our current endeavors and future plans. Want to be sure you're on the invite list for our future member-exclusive events? Join as a member today! Memberships are available for individuals, nonprofits, and businesses. Visit braf.org/membership to learn more.