Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation

Contact: Flozell Daniels, Jr., President and CEO 

fdaniels@louisianahelp.org

 

LDRF’s mission is to transform the disaster caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita into an unprecedented opportunity for a new Louisiana — providing resources for the relief, recovery and betterment of all its people by ensuring access and opportunity in rebuilding their communities and culture.

 

(a) Description of the inequity or injustice being addressed, and the opportunities for using philanthropy to remedy the problem

 

The Equity and Inclusion Campaign is a nonpartisan policy advocacy and public messaging campaign advocating for fulfillment of the federal commitment to confront persistent poverty and inequity during the Gulf Coast recovery and rebuilding process. The vision for the Equity and Inclusion Campaign is to establish sustainable Gulf Coast communities characterized by economic, social and environmental fairness. The Campaign is working to effect systemic change so that all people are included, valued and empowered.

 

Core Values

People First: LDRF staff works directly with those impacted by disaster – both natural and man-made – to learn first-hand about their needs, ideas and aspirations, and to develop citizen-driven solutions that empower residents to achieve self-sufficiency. 

Equal Access: LDRF stands firm in its conviction that those historically disenfranchised by racial discrimination and economic hardship must have access to sufficient resources and opportunities. 

Sustainability:Sustainability has multiple implications for LDRF’s work. Sustainability means creating opportunities that do not come at the expense of others or the environment. Sustainability requires us to find means to transform temporary improvements into permanent progress. Sustainability is embodied in the LDRF’s development of new leadership posed to carry on the work of rebuilding a better Louisiana. 

 

As indicated by its name, LDRF’s Equity and Inclusion Campaign is centered on values of equity and inclusion:

Equity: The Campaign works to ensure that America’s leaders fulfill their pledge to provide adequate benefits and opportunities to those with disproportionate needs due to injustice, risk and harm. These disenfranchised groups must have access to the

resources and opportunities necessary to close the gaps and improve their lives.

 

Inclusion: The Campaign supports policies that enable everyone (especially those most marginalized before the storm and those still displaced) to shape the public decisions that affect their lives and communities, to influence redevelopment policies, and to retain

control over the decisions that will impact their lives and recovery.

 

(b) Illustration of one or more of the Pathways; 

 

Discussing social justice and racial equity safely:  LDRF was the first local funder after the Katrina and Rita to begin supporting community organizing among ACORN, PICO and IAF and other nonprofit organizations with the expressed purpose of building capacity to ensure voices of the disadvantaged and the least heard are included in the build back of Louisiana.  LDRF led discussions with groups remaining in and returning to Louisiana (not just New Orleans).  LDRF also held public forums on the topic and spoke openly about this agenda with the media and conferences.  The Equity and Inclusion Campaign is predicated on these discussions.

 

Strengthening relationships, networks and leadership:  In the Gulf Coast region, which in recent years has been plagued by economic decline and neglect, many residents of low-income communities have historically been disconnected from the democratic process. Since the 2005 hurricanes, it is individuals and community-based organizations that have risen to fill government voids in order to lead their communities. The Equity and Inclusion Campaign has seized the opportunity to bring together nonprofit leaders, community organizers, activists and advocates, who represent low-income communities across the Gulf Coast to reengage them in our country’s democratic processes during this critical post-storm recovery. The Campaign provides them with the tools they need to have an impact on federal policy decisions that affect their communities. The Campaign is focused on building advocacy capacity in the region. This will help to ensure that the leadership developed through the Campaign will endure long after the programming of the Campaign ends so that community leaders continue to have a voice about policy that affects them.

 

LDRF’s grantmaking reflect its mission.  In addition to its grantmaking, LDRF organizes convenings, meetings and dialogue to build public will and to facilitate the right relationships to empower citizens to shape their own futures.  Further, LDRF awards funds to organizers for respite and renewal which is key to ensuring a pipeline of leaders.

 

LDRF works to build a stronger base.  Since the 2005 hurricanes, a strong sense of competition for federal aid has existed between the three hurricane-affected states – Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Closer examination reveals, however, that the most marginalized and vulnerable communities in all three states continue to have unmet needs and face similar challenges. For the first time since the storms, a forum exists to create linkages across states so that organizations are working toward similar goals in a unified way. The Equity and Inclusion Campaign is combining the power and voices of these communities across the region and building a stronger base from which to advocate for continued attention to the Gulf Coast. Additionally, the Campaign’s multi-issue focus allows for a comprehensive approach to advocacy for a full and just Gulf Coast recovery.

 

(c) Clarity of the connection between actions taken and progress made toward remedying the problem. 

 

The Equity and Inclusion Campaign’s primary activity is coordinated policy advocacy at the federal level to ensure an appropriate level of resources and attention for an equitable and inclusive Gulf Coast recovery. The Campaign provides Gulf Coast advocates with regular action alerts and legislative updates to help them keep up with federal legislative activity affecting the Gulf Coast. Since June 2007, the Campaign has sponsored three series of Legislative Days, during which Gulf Coast advocates traveled to Washington, DC to visit congressional offices. Additionally, 45 advocates from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama met with more than 50 congressional offices about six specific pieces of legislation. And, during a trip to the Gulf Coast by Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Majority Whip Clyburn, Campaign representatives met with these leaders and participated in sessions as they marked the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a number of other Members of Congress. The Campaign has also been successful in attracting new co-sponsors to Gulf Coast focused legislation. These congressional champions have made sure that Gulf Coast priorities are addressed in federal budget and appropriations bills. The Campaign has been keeping Members of Congress informed about regional needs and priorities and calling attention to policy issues related to recovery in the region. The Campaign also serves as a vital resource for federal policymakers who continue to fight for Gulf Coast priorities.