Acting on a request from the Louisiana Bankers Association, the ABA Foundation will raise funds to assist bank staff hit hard by the storm
The American Bankers Association Foundation today announced it will start collecting tax-exempt contributions through its new Disaster Relief Program to help aid bank employees directly affected by Hurricane Laura. The ABA Foundation’s Disaster Relief Program was established earlier this year to help state bankers associations respond to community needs after natural disasters. At the request of the Louisiana Bankers Association, the ABA Foundation will begin accepting donations today and at the conclusion of the fundraising campaign all funds raised will be directed to the Louisiana Bankers Association Employees 1st Fund for grant distribution by Employees 1st, a program of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.
“In the middle of a pandemic, this hurricane left thousands of Louisianans, including members of our banking family, without power, water and other essential needs,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “Through our Foundation, we hope to rally the industry to support bank employees directly affected by Hurricane Laura.”
“As Louisianans begin to put the pieces back together, we are grateful to the ABA Foundation and our industry colleagues around the country for their willingness to help fellow bankers hit hard by Hurricane Laura,” said LBA CEO Robert Taylor. “With the added challenge of COVID-19, this assistance can make a tremendous difference.”
Through the Disaster Relief Program—which was created after a vote by ABA member banks—state bankers associations are able to designate a specific 501(c)(3) organization that provides relief after a presidentially-declared disaster. If the request meets certain criteria and is approved by the ABA Foundation Board, the ABA Foundation can solicit donations nationwide on the state association’s behalf.
“By using the ABA Foundation’s new fundraising capabilities we will be able to gather donations from within and outside the banking industry to help speed relief to those affected by Hurricane Laura,” said Corey Carlisle, executive director of the ABA Foundation. “Our fundraising mechanism is open to more than just bankers, so we encourage everyone to consider donating.”
To donate, visit aba.com/donaterelief. To learn more about the Louisiana Bankers Association Employees 1st Fund, visit https://employees1st.org/la-bankers.