Baton Rouge Area Foundation Establishes Hurricane Katrina Disaster Funds.

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Baton Rouge Area Foundation announced today the establishment of two new funds in response to the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Katrina to southeast Louisiana. Donations are now being accepted.

The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund will benefit those individuals and families evacuated to Baton Rouge from the hurricane impacted areas in Greater New Orleans, who are now unable to return for what may be an extended period. Early official estimates suggest that as many as 500,000 individuals may be required to remain in our area for up to six months, and they will face numerous challenges related to housing, food, education, healthcare and basic survival necessities. This fund will support those entities and programs in our area that endeavor to meet these critical needs, as well as address the impact this influx of residents will have on our community.

The Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund will focus on the rebuilding of infrastructure to provide basic human services to residents of these devastated areas. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation will coordinate closely with federal, state and local officials in an attempt to provide resources to programs and efforts that positively and immediately impact the quality of life of these individuals, and contribute to the overall rebuilding of critical service delivery mechanisms in the Greater New Orleans area.

Tax deductible donations to one or both of these funds are now being accepted online at www.braf.org. Donations by check should be made out to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the designation of the fund noted on the memo line. Checks should be mailed or delivered to 402 North Fourth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.

"We are just beginning to discern the magnitude of destruction and human loss that is unfolding in southeast Louisiana. This is a human tragedy on a massive level that will have a much greater local impact than many may realize. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the Baton Rouge community must stand ready to assist the many thousands who are displaced from their homes through evacuations to our community," said John G. Davies, President and Chief Executive Officer, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is a community foundation, a nonprofit organization composed of over 300 charitable funds with over $375 million in assets established by individuals, families, corporations and organizations. In 2004, the Foundation has made $9.6 million in grants in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Community Development, Education, Environment, Human Services, Medical/Health, Religion and Scholarships. For more information about the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, please visit www.braf.org.