On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina left an indelible mark  on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and our entire region. Over 400,000  inhabitants of Mississippi’s coastal counties were pummeled with sustained  hurricane-level winds and a vicious tidal surge that reached over 35 feet  and stretched inland over 10 miles in places. Many lost their lives. Over  100,000 homes and businesses were damaged –– more than 70,000 of those  structures suffering severe damage or total destruction. But even though our  region and our way-of-life was dealt such a powerful blow, the indomitable  spirit of our people continues to thrive.

Like most other  organizations, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and its staff have  suffered terrible losses due to Katrina. We are eternally grateful to those  who answered our initial call for help. Our foundation has operated in  recent months from cars, trailers, homes, and borrowed offices as we  continued to serve our community. To date, we have granted over $5,000,000  dollars to Katrina Relief and Rebuilding. Indeed, the generosity of coastal  residents is a constant source of amazement: since Katrina, GCCF has  increased its endowed assets with local donations to its highest level in  the history of the Foundation.

Months after the storm, however, our  needs continue to be great as we begin to rebuild the vast infrastructure  that was destroyed while maintaining the multi-ethnic mix of the people that  make up the fabric of our community. We continue to address ongoing  challenges such as affordable housing, mental health issues, educational  needs, and the socioeconomic impact of entire neighborhoods being displaced.  We also continue to preserve our history, our landmarks, and the  arts.

The Board of Directors and I encourage you to browse through  this site. In it, you’ll find information about grants, stories of  generosity by local organizations and individuals, and information about how  you can help a community in need. The need is great but your reward, even  greater.

Thank you, for your continued support.

Dave  Treutel

Gulf Coast Community Foundation