WASHINGTON—On Saturday, April 22, the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund will host a grant-writing workshop at the New Orleans Marriott for faith leaders of houses of worship destroyed and damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The conference will include workshops providing technical grant writing assistance on how to apply for rebuilding grants of up to $35,000 and counseling sessions for affected Gulf Coast religious leaders. Due to hotel capacity the event is limited to 1,000 persons so each institution is urged to send only one representative.
“This day touches spiritual, emotional, and practical needs,” said Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund Interfaith Advisory Committee co-chair Bishop T. D. Jakes. “This day is one step in a journey to help the helpers, and though it’s the first step, it’s the right step.”
“Grants of up to $35,000 cannot rebuild entire churches, but they can lay foundations and begin to rebuild hope,” said Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund Interfaith Advisory Committee co-chair Rev. William Gray. “The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund has allocated $20 million for religious institutions. Before the end of the day, applicants will know what the criteria are and how to complete an application form.”
WHAT: Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund Technical Assistance Conference and Spiritual Renewal Service
WHEN: Saturday, April 22; 7 am to 6 pm
WHERE: New Orleans Marriot Hotel, 555 Canal St., New Orleans, LA
Schedule:
7 to 830 am: Registration
8:30 to 10:15 am: An ecumenical spiritual renewal service led by Bishop T. D. Jakes
10:45 to 12:30 pm: 5 Workshops (3 on the Grant Application Process; 1 Counseling session; 1 on Rebuilding)
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12:45 to 1:45 pm: Lunch Break
2 to 3:45 pm: 5 Workshops (3 on the Grant Application Process; 1 Counseling session; 1 on rebuilding)
4 to 5:45 pm: 5 Workshops (3 on the Grant Application Process; 1 Counseling session; 1 on Rebuilding)
Public/Private Ventures who is administering the grant application and selection process in conjunction with the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund will have representatives at the conference to lead the technical assistance workshops. Public/Private Ventures, headed by the Rev. Fred Davie, is a national non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and administers community and faith-based programs.
Registration: One representative from each affected congregation is encouraged to register on line at www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org, or by phone at 504-284-5554
Media Access: The spiritual renewal service is closed to the media, however there will be a media availability at 10:20 a.m., immediately following the service for representatives showing official media credentials.
The Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund mailed or sent by email applications to religious leaders who attended the December gathering in New Orleans. For those who did not receive an application or cannot attend the New Orleans event, applications can be downloaded from www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org. For questions about the grant process applicants can also call the Rev. Angela Williams, of the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund at 202-289-2732 or Mr. Alvin Brown, executive director of the Interfaith Advisory Committee at 202-477-9657.
The Bush Clinton Katrina Fund will accept grant applications May 1 through July 31, and grants will be made on a rolling basis with intent to complete the process as soon as possible. Among several requirements, religious leaders must have proof of the building’s existence before the storm.
For more information on the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund visit: www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org
