a proven plan
to renew
our community

Education

Comprehensive community education is the linchpin in BDF’s overall mission. There is compelling evidence of the enormous literacy crisis for children of poverty, which continues to be a major problem in New Orleans ten years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Learn More

Housing

To date BDF have completed 685 mixed-income rental units serving families and seniors and have developed 6 affordable single family homes.

Learn More

Wellness

The Bayou District community has a modular federal qualified health clinic on site and is working to design and build a grocery and drug store proximate to the community garden and senior housing already in place.

Learn More

bayou oaks golf

Opened in spring 2017, the new 18-hole championship Bayou Oaks south course in New Orleans City Park replaced the park’s previously blighted former east and west courses. Through its innovative partnership with City Park, BDF will receive a share of Bayou Oaks’ net operating revenues, which will support the Foundation’s mission to support the nearby Bayou District community.

we’re reshaping lives

at Bayou District Foundation

A Holistic Community Revitalization Model

The center of the Bayou District Foundation effort is the redevelopment of the former St. Bernard Public Housing Development, destroyed by Katrina. On the 53 acre site, Columbia Parc at the Bayou District provides high quality affordable workforce housing, a "cradle to college” educational resources including the Educare New Orleans, KIPP Believe Charter School and a college prep public high school. Commercial and retail facilities, as well as a health clinic, are being developed within the site to provide "walkable” support services. Additionally, a gymnasium and the restoration of City Park’s golf facilities will provide recreational amenities and sustained funding to support Bayou District educational programs. These housing, education, recreation and economic development components are being fully integrated in a unique community redevelopment initiative that will make the Bayou District community a model for similar efforts in New Orleans and other areas across the country.

View a full size image of the holistic model

our footprint

Bayou District Foundation is working to raise a total of $20 million in philanthropic funding to complete key building blocks in the comprehensive community revitalization model. The BDF model incorporates a diverse variety of funding means, thus reducing dependence on philanthropic dollars. The master community plan led by BDF will result in $375 million in assets brought to the area, with $260 million in residential and community service facilities already in place.

News & Noteworthy