IN Good Company: Susan Bonnett and the Northshore Community Foundation
It’s come a long way in two years.
When we first looked at the Northshore Community Foundation in spring 2007, it had just formed and had been awarded a $1 million grant from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. The local foundation’s assets have now grown to $10 million, and, as Susan Bonnett, NCF president and CEO, says, “To date, we’ve given away about $800,000. That’s just huge.” Parishes, municipalities, schools, churches, other foundations and charitable organizations have all benefited, as have individuals who received NCF-funded scholarships.
NCF serves St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Tammany parishes, with the goal of improving the quality of life in the area. Much of its effort is focused on planning for growth in the community. “It’s managing this growth so we don’t wake up in 10 years in a place [where] we don’t want to live,” Bonnett says.
Grants made under the NCF’s Katrina Recovery Planning Assistance program have been substantial, with $440,000 awarded to Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Helena parishes; the cities of Hammond, Covington and Amite; Roll Out the Green Carpet (Hwy. 190 corridor planning); and the St. Tammany Housing Initiative. Some of these grants have been matched on a 1:1 basis, doubling the funds for those projects. Coordination is a big job. “Frank Saxton is our director of community development. His role is to manage the process that goes along with nearly a half-million in funds,” Bonnett says.
As a part of the overall recovery from Katrina, NCF is also working with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and other groups to create a marketing and branding strategy for the I-10/I-12 corridor from Slidell to Lake Charles. “After Katrina,” Bonnett says, “our image was wounded, if not toxic. If we are to thrive as an economic region, we have to re-brand ourselves and change the perception that we’re just someone waiting on our roof to be rescued.” Parishes lining the interstate are experiencing population growth rates higher than the rest of the country; a coherent marketing strategy will ensure that economic growth keeps up.
In Washington Parish, the aquifer that provides water to the Bogalusa area is in decline. NCF is working with the parish leadership on a comprehensive plan for a 3,400-acre drinking water reservoir to respond to this serious problem. The reservoir project, which is not without opposition, is to be developed in an area just west of Bogalusa. Bonnett says, “It’s a relatively controversial issue. If it’s going to happen, we need to plan for it so it becomes an asset and not a liability because it’s been badly executed.”
NCF also serves as a “foundations’ foundation”—a resource for other non-profit and charitable groups. Bonnett says, “We serve on a number of levels that speak to what a community foundation does—help non-profits meet their mission.” NCF’s financial services are an important resource for this effort. For example, NCF opens and holds funds for non-profits that are just starting up and awaiting their tax-exempt status.
NCF donors may designate contributions for a specific agency or scholarship, or allow the foundation to make grants as it sees fit. NCF handles all the administrative chores, including issuing quarterly statements and IRS documentation. Donors may also choose to establish funds directed at specific purposes through NCF—the foundation invests the funds and manages governmental paperwork.
Integrated into NCF’s office on Lafitte Street at Mandeville’s Tammany Trace Trailhead is the Coatney Center for Philanthropy. Made possible by a donation from Doyle Coatney, it serves as a physical resource center for non-profits. Computers, internet access for research, meeting rooms and other facilities are available for non-profits to use to find funding resources and for training staff and volunteers.
One group that recently took advantage of the center is trying to raise funds to build an off-leash dog park at Pelican Park—the Pelican Bark Park. After having 3.5 acres in Pelican Park donated, but without funds for construction or maintenance, organizer Sarah Pokorny turned to NCF and used the center’s grant research database. Members also received training on how to approach and partner with potential corporate donors. “It was very positive. Between their help with the grants and help with how to approach donors, they provided a lot of valuable information, and they also offered meeting rooms to us,” Pokorny says. The group is now raising funds through the Friends of Pelican Park foundation at pelicanbarkpark.org.
NCF’s top-notch board of directors and staff have done a great job in steering it towards success. Dick Knight is board chair. Other members are Jimmy Maurin, vice chair; Tim Carpenter, secretary; also, Debra Neill Baker, Stephanie Berault, Maura Donahue, Dr. Martis Jones, Willie Paretti, Todd Richard, Ellis Sampson Sr., Carl Schneider, William Trist and Randy Waesche. In addition to Bonnett and Saxton, the staff includes Carla Mouton and Tara White.
As Bonnett notes, “If you look around the country at thriving, successful communities, you’ll find there is a successful community foundation behind it.”
The past two years have proven we’re lucky to have ours.
– Stephen Faure
The Northshore Community Foundation is located at 635 Lafitte St., Unit A in Mandeville. For more information, call 624-7160 or go to northshorefoundation.org.
