Capital One donates $250,000 to Flood Relief Fund

08.25.2016

Capital One today donated $250,000 to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Flood Relief Fund, one of the largest donations to the fund since it was started earlier this year. The bank, which offers a broad array of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients and has branches across Louisiana and other parts of the country, made the donation to help people impacted by the historic flooding in the region recover as quickly as possible.

“The contribution couldn’t have come at a better time,” said John G. Davies, CEO and president of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. “It will let us continue making grants to nonprofits that are providing food, supplies, health care, and all that is necessary to get people back in their homes.  The need is enormous; Capital One has come through again.”

Four days of torrential rain produced massive flooding across South Louisiana. Places that had never flooded before went underwater. The deluge flooded and damaged more than 100,000 homes. In the past week, residents from Louisiana – and across the U.S. – have provided millions in support. They have come together to clean out homes of friends and neighbors.

“In the aftermath of the historic flooding, it is critical that nonprofits providing immediate relief have the funding necessary to meet the needs of impacted communities. BRAF is leading the way in achieving this goal,” said Ric Kearny, Baton Rouge Market President for Capital One Bank. “Capital One is a proud member of the greater Baton Rouge community and a longtime supporter of BRAF. We are committed to do everything we can to help our customers and local communities recover and rebuild from this devastating event. We encourage individuals, families, businesses and other organizations to join us in supporting BRAF during this difficult time by contributing to BRAF’s Louisiana Flood Relief Fund.”

The Foundation established the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund earlier this year to help people after spring flooding in North Louisiana. It was opened with a $100,000 gift from Foundation’s assets. After the floods earlier this month, the Foundation has collected more than $1 million in online donations from more than 13,000 people. Capital One’s donation will be added to that fund, and the Foundation expects to grant all the money to nonprofits before the week is over.

Grantees include the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, Together Baton Rouge, Alzheimer’s Services, Ascension Parish School System and Unlocking Autism Baton Rouge.

Donations to the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund can be made online at BRAF.org. Contributions to the fund are tax deductible.