In August of 2025, BCM commemorated the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by inviting the community to nominate and vote for 10 organizations to receive the $400,000 K20 grant award. The goal of this grant was to uplift and support the work of organizations in the 9th Ward and St. Bernard, areas directly hit by the storm that have had a slower recovery process and continue revitalization efforts.
K20: Fortified Not Forgotten
K20: Fortified Not Forgotten is a storytelling campaign that continues the mission of the K20 Grant Award. So often we say “never forget,” but this campaign compels us to remember and commemorate our resilience in day-to-day life as we engage with and support organizations that continue to stand in the gap. BCM is excited to amplify the work of these organizations so that nonprofit partners, community members, donors, and other funders become more familiar with their contributions and impact in our community.
K20 Grant Recipients
Our Katrina Story
August 29, 2005, forever marked our communities, yet the story since then is one of strength, innovation, and hope. BCM is proud to have played a role in rebuilding and transforming health, education, and public safety systems through homegrown strategies and solutions. As we commemorated the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we honored the lives lost, celebrated the strength of community, and reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to Greater New Orleans.
Hurricane Katrina displaced millions and caused catastrophic damage to homes and communities across the region. The 9th Ward and neighboring St. Bernard Parish were among the hardest hit, and recovery in these areas has been slow. In the 9th Ward, fewer than 35% of households have rebuilt. In St. Bernard Parish, the population has struggled to rebound, with thousands relocating and entire neighborhoods reshaped by the storm.
The progress made in these communities is a testament to the determination of residents and the dedication of nonprofit organizations that refused to let vibrant neighborhoods fade into history. To mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, BCM awarded a total of $400,000 in general operating grants to organizations driving transformative impact in the 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish – two of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. Join us in highlighting the efforts of those working tirelessly to rebuild, restore, and revitalize our communities.
