FAQ
“My daughter loves playing at City Park. For her it is a great place for play and of course dog watching as well.
For me City Park today represents the next generation of fun. This was my summer park. My grandmother lived not far from here so I have fond memories of my own play time at the park each summer when I came to Baton Rouge.
I am pleased that BREC has improved this special place for our kids and the next generation of children to come.”
- Dr Kim Hunter Reed
BREC Foundation Board Member
Is the BREC Foundation part of BREC?
It supports the mission, projects and work of BREC, however, the BREC Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) organization. This allows the Foundation to place its focus on individual and corporate donors to ensure philanthropic funds are released according to the wishes of the donors and according to the policies enacted by the Board of Directors and IRS guidelines.
Why give to the BREC Foundation when I already pay taxes that support BREC?
We have the ability to leverage individual and business contributions into public-private partnerships that help turn visions into reality. For instance, in planning for park enhancements you capture public input, and add staff expertise to create a master plan. If BREC doesn’t have all of the funding available then the Foundation works to find dollars to help implement the plan.
Doesn’t BREC have all of the money it needs?
When the “Imagine Your Parks” strategic plan was approved by the BREC Commission it called for an ambitious enhancement program. However it was recognized at the time that it would be difficult to ask the voters to approve the entire amount of funding needed. Therefore $70 million was requested and subsequently approved. With the hurricanes’ aftermath and economic changes, there have been challenges to implementing as much as possible.
Can I just give and/or donate to BREC?
Some entities require giving to a tax exempt organization. The BREC Foundation operates under traditional 501(c)(3) policies and procedures.
Who runs and guides the BREC Foundations work?
Carl Stages, the Executive Director, has over 20 years of successful professional non-profit management and major donor fundraising. The dedicated, passionate and diverse board of directors have a long standing involvement in the community and BREC’s history; for instance one member is a Past Chairman of the National Recreation and Parks Association for instance while another is a member of the Board of Trustees of that group.