Community Engagement

At the core of all of LDRF’s work is the belief that all citizens, regardless of race, income, or geographical location, should have a voice in their future. To this end, LDRF grants support community groups’ efforts to organize, collaborate, and effectively communicate their vision for renewal to local and national leaders.

Neighborhood Leadership and Planning: Gulf South communities demonstrated remarkable resilience in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, coming together to help one another pick up the pieces and work towards a better tomorrow. LDRF supports these crucial renewal efforts by increasing the capacity of neighborhood organizations to mobilize residents in the post-Katrina planning processes that impact the quality of their recovery.

Equity and Inclusion Campaign: Recognizing that the magnitude of the problems faced by the Gulf South region far outstrips the institutions and capabilities of any single state or community, the Equity and Inclusion Campaign coordinates grassroots leaders from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, enabling them to situate recovery issues within a multi-state framework and jointly pursue mutual objectives at the federal level for a full and equitable recovery.

Non-profit Infrastructure: One of the untold stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita is the degree of destruction faced by nonprofits in their wake and the valuable services lost. LDRF supports the revitalization of the hurricane-ravaged nonprofit infrastructure in Louisiana as well as the development of new nonprofit capacity throughout the region, fostering impactful participation in issues of housing, economic development, education, the environment and healthcare.