The recipient entity's physical address:
           304 Hutchinson Avenue Crowley, La 70526

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1016 North Avenue C Crowley, La 70526

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Audrey Bernard Spencer, Betty Wells, Dr. Cella Bernard, Dr. Ezora Proctor, Larry Wiltz

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  3695

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $25,000

What type of request is this?  Both

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:
           Audry Bernard Spencer 1016 North Avenue C Crowley, La 70526
Betty Wells 10717 Foster Rd Baton Rouge, La 76811
Helen Harmon 623 West 11th Street Crowley, La 70526
Dr. Ezora Proctor 305 West 9th Street Crowley, La 70526

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Empowering the Community for Excellence (ETCFE) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving educational outcomes for underserved, low-income, and underachieving students. Through free, high-quality tutoring and mentoring services, ETCFE works to close achievement gaps and expand opportunities for long-term success.
Delivered by retired, certified, and degreed educators, ETCFE’s individualized one-on-one and small-group instruction provides targeted academic support that strengthens core skills, increases student confidence, and promotes sustained academic engagement.
Students served by ETCFE often face significant barriers, including limited access to academic support, scarce educational resources, and a lack of consistent mentorship. These challenges contribute to disparities in academic achievement and limit future opportunities. ETCFE addresses these issues by creating a supportive, nurturing environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.
To ensure program effectiveness, ETCFE employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods. Student progress is monitored through report cards, assessment scores, and tutor evaluations, with a focus on measurable gains in reading and math proficiency. The program also utilizes the IXL diagnostic learning platform, an adaptive tool that personalizes instruction and allows students to learn at their own pace while targeting specific skill gaps.
Beyond academics, ETCFE offers enrichment programming designed to support the whole child. Activities such as gardening, art, literacy initiatives, and motivational guest speakers promote social and emotional development while encouraging creativity and critical thinking.
Through this comprehensive and integrated approach, ETCFE empowers students with skills, confidence, and support they need to succeed in school and beyond.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $18,000
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $5,300
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $1,700

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?
          Empowering the Community for Excellence (ETCFE) is a nonprofit organization that provides free after-school tutoring and mentoring to underserved, low-income, and underachieving students. Led by retired, certified, and degreed educators, the program provides high-quality individualized and small group academic support and guidance. Many of these students perform below grade level in Language Arts and Math and have limited access to high-quality academic support outside of the school day. Without targeted intervention , these achievement gaps can widen overtime, impacting students' long term educational outcomes. In addition to academic support ETCFE offers a variety of enrichment opportunities-including gardening, art, literacy activities, and motivational speakers that promote social-emotional development and encourages a well-rounded learning experience.
These students also lack access to enrichment opportunities that support social-emotional development, creativity, and positive peer interaction. This limited exposure can hinder the development of critical thinking, confidence, and engagement in school.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Empowering the Community for Excellence program goals are to improve students’ scores on all assessments in Language Arts and Math.
Goal 1: Increase academic achievement in Language Arts and Math.
A. At least 75% of students will demonstrate measurable growth in Language Arts and Math as measured by the IXL Diagnostic Pre and Post Assessments.
B. At least 70% of students will meet or exceed individual growth targets within the program year.
C. Teachers will assess each students’ oral reading, questioning, comprehension, and critical thinking.
D. 9-week school report cards for each term will be compared for to assess growth.

Goal 2: Provide individualized, data-driven instruction.
A. 100% of students will complete an IXL diagnostic assessment within 45 days of enrollment.
B. Staff will monitor students’ progress weekly and adjust instruction accordingly. Performance - tracking includes report cards, tutor feed-back and growth metrics.
Goal 3: Promote student engagement and social-emotional development.
A. At least 75% of students will participate in enrichment activities.
B. At least 70% of students will demonstrate improved engagement and behavior, mentoring and social-emotional support in a safe, structured environment.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           Tutoring Sessions begin in September and end in May.

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:
               


Contact Information
name:  Audry Bernard Spencer 
                                       address:  1016 North Avenue C
Crowley, La 70526
                                       phone:  337-212-9753
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  mattie1207@yahoo.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Director/President