THE BROADCASTERS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA SPRINGS INTO ACTION TO HELP BROADCAST COLLEAGUES AFFECTED BY THE LOUISIANA FLOODS

After devastating flooding in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana, The Broadcasters Foundation of America moved swiftly to provide emergency grants to broadcasters whose lives and property had been severely damaged. The Emergency and Disaster Grant Program features an abbreviated vetting process that gets emergency funds to victims within a week.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Foundation acted speedily to award $250,000 in one-time emergency grants of $1,000 each to 250 broadcasters. The Foundation also moved quickly following the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri and Hurricane Sandy in the New York area.  Now, the Foundation has given out over $85,000 in emergency grants to those affected in Louisiana.

“It’s imperative that we get these emergency funds into the hands of broadcasters within days,” stated Dan Mason, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation of America. “The Broadcasters Foundation has a track record of moving quickly and nimbly in emergencies, while thoroughly screening the abridged applications for need.”

Requests from Louisiana flood victims were coming in almost hourly, and the Foundation reviewed completed applications immediately to rapidly deliver emergency grants to those who are approved.

The Broadcasters Foundation contacted the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters to distribute emergency grant application information among its members. To be considered for the Broadcasters Foundation Emergency and Disaster Emergency Grant Program, applicants must have worked in Radio or Television Broadcasting and be facing extreme financial hardship due to a natural or environmental disaster.  

Polly Prince Johnson, President of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters expressed her thanks to the Foundation.  “On behalf of Louisiana Broadcasters ‘Thank You’ for the emergency grants that were given to our broadcasters in our time of need and for the unbelievable follow through.  The speed with which it happened amazed me.  Thank you doesn’t seem adequate enough….however we are so grateful to the Broadcasters Foundation of America as all the people that received the $1,000 emergency grant really were in need and it has made each and every one of them feel so blessed and proud to be a Broadcaster.  They can tell all their family and friends that the Broadcasters Foundation of America had their backs and that it’s great to be a broadcaster.”

The emergency grant program is still on going, so if you were affected by the flooding in Louisiana or were a victim of Hurricane Matthew, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation of America about applying for an emergency grant.  Visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, email info@thebfoa.org or call 212-373-8250.