The recipient entity's physical address:
           Independence Bowl Foundation, Inc.
425 Ashley Ridge Blvd.
Suite 360
Shreveport, LA 71106

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           Independence Bowl Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 6834
Shreveport, LA 71136

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

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Mr. Kenneth G. Hanna
Dr. Milton Chapman
Mrs. Laurie Glassell

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  7228

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $400,000

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:
           Sarah Gilgio 2829 Covington Cr. Shreveport LA 71106
Keith Burton 1053 Dumaine Drive Shreveport LA 71106
Greg Lott 8550 Fern Ave Shreveport LA 71106
Tim Wilhite 4450 Viking Loop Bossier City LA 71111
Jayce Simpson 118 Jefferson - PO Box 1308 Mansfield LA 71052
John David Person 528 Commerce Street, Suite 101 Shreveport LA 71101
Claire Rebouche 9312 Shenandoah Circle Shreveport LA 71115
Tyler Williams 9460 Milbank Drive Shreveport LA 71115
Taylor Jamison 1324 N. Hearne Ave Suite 130 Box #8 Shreveport LA 71107
Doug Bland 3336 Youree Drive Shreveport LA 71105
Victor Mainiero 1012 Fawn Hollow Bossier City LA 71111
Lee Holmes 11881 Longfellow Cr Shreveport LA 71106
Cindy Smith 401 Edwards Street, Suite 1130 Shreveport LA 71101

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the 11th-oldest college football bowl game in the country, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, held in Shreveport, La. since its inception in 1976. Each year the Independence Bowl Foundation hosts two teams in a post-season matchup that has been televised on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC for the past 33 years.

In addition to the bowl game, and the 16+ ancillary events held in conjunction with the bowl game during Bowl Week, the Independence Bowl Foundation also hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the annual Kickoff Dinner, attended by 800, the Youth Football Clinic, open to ages 5 through 13, with 300+ participants and 20+ college coaches from the 3-state region, the annual Crawfish Boil, Fish N Football and numerous other events. All events are held in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.

The Independence Bowl Foundation currently has partnerships with the Big 12, Pac 12 legacy, AAC, CUSA, and Sun Belt conferences and annually welcomes thousands of fans from the participating schools, and thousands of local and regional fans, with a concentration from east Texas and southern Arkansas.

Radiance Technologies recently extended its title sponsorship of the Independence Bowl through at least 2027, with three additional one-year options through 2030. Radiance Technologies is also expanding its footprint in the state of Louisiana, primarily in north central and northeast Louisiana.

The Independence Bowl Foundation is partnered with more than 130 sponsor partners, both locally and nationally.

The most recent economic impact report from the 2023 game indicates an impact of $30 million annually.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $480,000
          Professional Services. . . $160,500
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $707,050
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $50,000
          Operating Services. . . . $1,040,744
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $452,706

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?
          The Mission of the Independence Bowl is to attract and provide quality, nationally recognized football competition oriented to the Ark-La-Tex region. The Independence Bowl will enhance economic impact and growth in our communities through an alliance of volunteer, individual, and corporate support along with government and educational participation, while providing a safe, educational, unique experience for the student athletes participating in the game. The Foundation also strives to enhance the quality of life in Northwest Louisiana by providing events and opportunities, both paid and free to the public, that will provide not only entertainment that leads to economic impact, but also opportunities for area youth enrichment. The Foundation joins with local sponsor-partners to provide tens-of-thousands of dollars each year to area teachers and classrooms, through various fundraisers the bowl hosts each year, as well as awarding scholarships to graduating seniors in conjunction with one of our largest sponsor-partners. We strive to have a positive impact on our community in as many ways as possible.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The Independence Bowl Foundation plans, organizes, and carries out all aspects of the 49th Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, including but not limited to the Independence Bowl game, to be televised on ESPN for the 33rd consecutive year, as well as 15 additional Bowl Week events surrounding the game. The Independence Bowl is the 11th oldest college football bowl game in the country, and had an economic impact of $30 million plus in 2023. The Independence Bowl Foundation creates all events, from inception to fruition, working with the City of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, the City of Bossier City and numerous venues and organizations throughout Caddo and Bossier parishes, giving local fans and traveling fans numerous events to highlight and enjoy the area, in addition to enjoying the game. The Independence Bowl Foundation is partnered with the Big 12, Pac-12 (legacy Pac-12), American Athletic Conference, CUSA, and the Sun Belt to provide teams for the annual bowl game.

The Independence Bowl Foundation begins planning and preparation in February each year, in a process that comes to fruition by the end of December each year, with wrap up and reports being prepared and submitted in January.

The Independence Bowl Foundation consists of a staff of 6 full-time employees, 300+ members and approximately 150 volunteers on an annual basis.

The goals include fan travel from the two participating schools, local and regional ticket sales, including from the Texas and Arkansas areas, ancillary-event attendance and engagement, sponsor engagement, media coverage from across the country, education-based philanthropic work in the community, and ultimately economic impact to benefit the region and state.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           11 months - February through December

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:
                 NA
    
     (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:
                 NA

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

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

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: 
               John Fleming - Fleming Subway
Louisiana State Treasurer

(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:
               NA

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                NA

          What is the nature of the relationship?  Fleming Subway is a Sponsor/Donor to the Independence Bowl

(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:  Missy Setters 
                                       address:  Residence
10711 Misty Circle
Shreveport, LA 71106

Business
425 Ashley Ridge Blvd.
Suite 360
Shreveport, LA 71106
                                       phone:  318-221-0712 ext. 220
                                       fax:  NA
                                       e-mail:  indybowl@independencebowl.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director