The recipient entity's physical address:
           1341 Russell Rd
Shreveport, LA 71107

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1341 Russell Rd
Shreveport, LA 71107

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

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Bennie R Dotie
Carol Smith
Arthur Russell

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  7331

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $150,000

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:
           Bennie Ray Dotie, President/CEO
748 Booth Dr.
Shreveport, LA 71107

Carol Smith, Secretary/Treasurer
2630 Kemp Lane
Shreveport, LA 71107

Arthur Russell, Vice President
1806 Mack Marshall Dr
Shreveport, LA 71107

Beverly Humphrey, Center Director
5982 Jefferson Paige Road
Shreveport, LA 71119

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association is a multi-purpose organization with a mission to enhance and empower our community by providing nutritional, educational and recreational programs. Our organization provides various workshops that are grant funded and rental space for the community. We seek to improve the quality of life for Seniors in our community by providing them with a facility to visit Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 1:00pm. We have also partnered with "Caddo Council on Aging" to make sure they have at least one hot meal a day, five days per week. The MLKNA Center is open to address issues such as social isolation, loneliness, depression, and cognitive decline. We offer various activities for our Seniors on a daily basis. We obtained a grant from BCBS in 2022 to purchase laptops and cameras to make sure they were taught basic computer knowledge and were comfortable in a world that had been forced to go virtual due to COVID-19. This initiative was designed for Senior Citizens needing assistance in a world based around technology as well as those struggling with depression, anxiety, isolation or who may have simply needed "a way out". Our facility is still being used to provide instructors who are patient enough to work with those who have no prior computer knowledge and we are still offering an emotional outlet through photography classes for those who need it.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $75,000
          Professional Services. . . $12,900
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $10,600
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $55,350
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $4,150

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?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Our overall purpose is to enhance and empower our community. We have been a strong community organization for the past 60 years and we are established in the MLK Neighborhood. The MLKNA is one of the few. If not only, neighborhood associations in the region that also owns and operates a physical facility that provides, facilitates and support a range of daily programs and services. State monies will help us to continue operating while we rebrand our facility.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Rebranding the facility helps the community and potential patrons and supporters differentiate the needs and obligations of the MLKNA in comparison to other similar neighborhood based organizations. We need state monies to help sustain the cost of operating while we create other revenue streams to cover the cost of operating the building. Our goal is to continue operating this facility as we plan to: Increase space rental income; increase donors and membership dues; request other grant funds; partner with community nonprofits to host community workshops; and increase presence and visibility.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           The proposed length of time to accomplish this purpose is 1 year.

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:
                 N/A
    
     (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:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 N/A

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  n/A

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: 
               N/A

(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:
               n/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(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:
                 N/A

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               N/A


Contact Information
name:  Bennie R. Dotie 
                                       address:  1341 Russell Rd
Shreveport, LA 71107
                                       phone:  318-207-2081
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  mlknacenter@gmail.com
                                       relationship to entity:  President/CEO