I have accepted the invitation to serve as the new Chair of the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation to help ensure that funds donated for recovery are used wisely and creatively in the interest of all of the people of Louisiana. I found in accepting this responsibility that some questions have been raised about how this new fund differs from other philanthropic organizations and how it will participate in the state's recovery. As a native of Louisiana with a long career in organized philanthropy, I agreed to participate in this effort because:
A° It provides an opportunity to help rebuild and strengthen the Louisiana nonprofit sector.
A° It is an independent statewide fund created to work on the ground with the people of Louisiana to help support their recovery efforts.
A° It is led by a private, nonpartisan, board of directors comprised of highly respected civic and community leaders who come from all regions of the state affected by the recent disasters.
A° It will work through and collaborate with existing philanthropic organizations seeking to help rebuild a new Louisiana that is fair and just.
A° It will provide resources and help ensure access and opportunity for the direct involvement of the people of Louisiana, especially those who have not traditionally had a voice, in rebuilding their communities and cultures.
It is important to understand that LDRF is an independent foundation with a mandate that is very different from the Louisiana Recovery Authority. While both were established by the Governor of Louisiana, the Authority is a government body that will work with federal agencies and coordinate initiatives to rebuild the physical infrastructure of the state. The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation has been incorporated as a private foundation designed to support private, nonprofit organizations working to transform the recent disasters into unprecedented opportunities to build a new Louisiana.
When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck, they ravaged communities, industries, properties and a wide variety of physical infrastructures in the state of Louisiana. However, there is another kind of damage that transcends the immediate and the physical: the impact on the social capital that the citizens of southern Louisiana will need to rebuild their lives and recover the "joie de vivre," the vibrant cultures and unique spirit that have been the heartbeat of their communities. A large number of donors have come forward to provide immediate relief. The Foundation will be engaged in long-term recovery.
The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation is making substantial gains toward stabilization. It is presently supported by loaned executives and volunteers. Sherece West, the president and chief executive officer of the Carrier Foundation in Lafayette, Louisiana, is serving as a loaned executive managing director. We will be moving soon to hire a chief executive and a small staff to ensure accountability and to coordinate the work of volunteers. It is our intention to raise funds specifically dedicated for overhead in order to ensure that funds donated for recovery will go directly to Louisiana's people through local organizations.
I will continue my work at Duke University, commuting to Louisiana as often as good governance requires. I hope I will be able to count on your readers for help. We have an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen the nonprofit sector in Louisiana and enhance the capacity of nonprofit organizations to respond to this extraordinary challenge.
Donations for operating support should be designated for that purpose and made 24/7 toll-free by calling 877-HELPLA1 or 877-435-7521 and using credit and debit cards. Donations can also be made online at www.louisiana.org. Donations by check should be made payable to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation and mailed to PO Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095.
James Joseph is a professor of the practice of public policy studies.
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