NGO Funding Request
The recipient entity's full legal name:
Christian Home Educators Fellowship, Inc.
The recipient entity's physical address:
4700 MILWOOD DR.
77675
BATON ROUGE, LA 70817
The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
P.O. BOX 77675
BATON ROUGE, LA 70879
Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):
Non-Profit Corporation
If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:
2584
What is the dollar amount of the request?
$30,000
What type of request is this?
General Appropriation
Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?
Yes
Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
ADAM HANEY
PRESIDENT
30766 OLD RIVER RD
DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726
MARK ST CYR
VICE-PRESIDENT
37284 OAK HILLS DR.
DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70706
CHASITY AUTHEMENT
SECRETARY
8839 GREENLEAVES DR
DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726
WHITNEY SMITH
TREASURER
13755 ANDREWS RD
DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726
GRETCHEN HANEY
DIRECTOR
30766 OLD RIVER RD
DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726
Provide a summary of the project or program:
Christian Home Educators Fellowship of Baton Rouge (DBA: CHEF of Baton Rouge) is a Christian organization dedicated to supporting and promoting home education through community. CHEF of Baton Rouge operates as a nonprofit entity and is neither a church nor a school. Through its programs, the organization seeks to come alongside families by providing opportunities that enrich both educational and personal development in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension, West Baton Rouge, and East Feliciana Parishes.
For this project, CHEF of Baton Rouge is requesting funding to support its Athletics Program, which serves as a central component of its mission. The program provides organized team sports activities for students in grades 6 through 12, including baseball, soccer, and tennis. Offered during both the spring and fall seasons, the program ensures that homeschool students have access to structured, competitive, and recreational athletic opportunities that may otherwise be limited.
Athletic activities are conducted primarily by dedicated volunteers who invest their time and skills to mentor and coach students. On a limited basis, independent contractors are engaged to provide specialized instruction or training to enhance the quality of the program. Activities take place at various athletic facilities throughout the greater Baton Rouge community, allowing for accessibility and community engagement.
The Athletics Program represents a significant portion of CHEF of Baton Rouge’s operations, accounting for approximately 70% of total volunteer time and 73% of overall program expenses. Funding for the program is derived from a combination of participation fees, charitable donations, and fundraising efforts. Participation fees are intentionally set to offset program costs rather than generate profit, and financial assistance is made available to families when needed to ensure broader access.
This program directly advances the organization’s exempt purpose by providing structured instruction and supervision that teaches athletic skills, rules, strategy, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Beyond physical development, the program fosters character growth, discipline, leadership, and Christ-centered values within a supportive community environment.
Through its Athletics Program, CHEF of Baton Rouge not only meets a practical need for homeschool families but also cultivates well-rounded students who are equipped to grow in character, community, and lifelong learning.
What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . .
$0
Professional Services. . .
$0
Contracts . . . . . . . . . . .
$0
Acquisitions . . . . . . . . .
$0
Major Repairs . . . . . . .
$0
Operating Services. . . .
$0
Other Charges. . . . . . .
$30,000
Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?
No
If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
Yes
What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
The public purpose of Christian Home Educators Fellowship of Baton Rouge (CHEF of Baton Rouge) in seeking state funding is to expand access to organized athletic opportunities for homeschool students within the broader community. By providing structured, supervised sports programs, the organization promotes physical health, teamwork, discipline, and personal development among youth who may otherwise have limited access to school-based athletics.
Through its Athletics Program, CHEF of Baton Rouge contributes to the overall well-being of participating students by encouraging active lifestyles, fostering social interaction, and developing important life skills such as leadership, perseverance, and sportsmanship. These outcomes support not only individual growth but also strengthen families and the community as a whole.
State funding will help ensure that the program remains accessible to a diverse range of families by offsetting operational costs and reducing financial barriers to participation. This investment enables the organization to maintain quality programming, provide safe and structured environments, and expand opportunities for youth engagement.
Ultimately, the use of state monies will serve a broad public benefit by supporting youth development, promoting health and wellness, and enhancing community connections through inclusive, community-based athletic programming.
What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
The primary goal of CHEF of Baton Rouge’s Athletics Program is to provide accessible, high-quality athletic opportunities that promote physical health, character development, and community engagement among homeschool students. To achieve this purpose, the program seeks to expand participation in organized sports for students in grades 6 through 12 by offering seasonal athletic activities and reducing financial barriers through scholarships and fee assistance. The program is designed to promote physical wellness by encouraging consistent activity through structured practices, games, and skill development in sports such as baseball, soccer, and tennis.
In addition to physical benefits, the program emphasizes the development of character and essential life skills, including teamwork, discipline, leadership, perseverance, and sportsmanship. This is accomplished through intentional coaching, mentorship, and supervised competition. CHEF of Baton Rouge also prioritizes the delivery of quality instruction and safe environments by relying on trained volunteers and, when necessary, qualified independent contractors to provide specialized support.
The program further seeks to strengthen community engagement by fostering meaningful connections among homeschool families and encouraging volunteer involvement, while utilizing local athletic facilities to remain accessible and community-centered. To ensure long-term sustainability, CHEF of Baton Rouge is committed to responsible financial management, maintaining a funding model supported by participation fees, donations, and fundraising efforts, and regularly evaluating program effectiveness. Progress toward these goals will be measured through participation rates, retention, skill development, and overall satisfaction of students and families.
What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
CHEF of Baton Rouge’s Athletics Program is an ongoing initiative, with state funding supporting a 12-month program cycle while advancing its long-term mission to serve families for years to come.
If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
(a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
(b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
(c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
(d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
Provide the name and address of such person:
Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
What is the nature of the relationship?
(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
The proposed contract will provide funding to support the operation, maintenance, and expansion of CHEF of Baton Rouge’s Athletics Program, which delivers organized team sports and related athletic services to homeschool students in grades 6 through 12.
Services provided through the program include organized team practices, competitive games, and skill-building instruction focused on developing athletic ability, understanding of rules and strategy, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The program emphasizes proper supervision and safety standards to ensure a positive and secure environment for all participants. Activities are conducted primarily by trained volunteers, with limited use of independent contractors to provide specialized coaching, instruction, or officiating as needed.
Funding received under the contract may be used to support a range of program-related expenses necessary for effective implementation. These expenses include, but are not limited to, facility rentals at local athletic venues, purchase and maintenance of sports equipment, uniforms, league and registration costs, insurance, officiating services, and compensation for specialized instructional support. In addition, funds may be used for the development and improvement of a designated home field, including the purchase and installation of equipment such as bleachers, public address (PA) and sound systems, and other necessary infrastructure to support safe and functional athletic events.
The program is offered on a nonprofit basis, with participation fees structured to help offset costs rather than generate profit, and financial assistance may be provided to ensure accessibility for families with demonstrated need. With significant volunteer involvement, CHEF of Baton Rouge is able to maximize resources while maintaining a strong, community-centered approach for East Baton Rouge and surrounding parish families.
Contact Information
name:
Gretchen Haney
address:
30766 Old River Rd.
Denham Springs, LA 70726
phone:
2252472374
fax:
e-mail:
president@chefbr.org
relationship to entity:
Director