FHLB Dallas & Hancock Whitney Award $105K to 4 Louisiana Nonprofits
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), in collaboration with its member Hancock Whitney, recently awarded a total of $75,000 in grants through the Heirs’ Property Program to three nonprofit organizations in Louisiana. These grants were presented ceremonially to Louisiana Appleseed, Desire Community Housing Corporation (Desire Community HC), and Divine Touch Community Development Center (Divine Touch CDC). Additionally, as part of FHLB Dallas’ Partnership Grant Program (PGP), Coastal Communities Consulting (CCC) received a $30,000 grant to further its mission in supporting small businesses and community development.
Addressing Heirs’ Property Challenges
Heirs’ property refers to real estate that is inherited without a legal will or proper documentation of ownership. Over generations, as properties are passed down informally, the number of heirs increases, often creating significant legal challenges. Without a clear title, property owners may struggle with securing financing, accessing government assistance, or maintaining their homes and land.
In an effort to tackle these issues, FHLB Dallas has provided a series of grants that will empower organizations to educate communities, offer legal assistance, and facilitate property title clarifications.
Desire Community Housing Corporation
Desire Community HC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to housing stability and financial education, received $25,000 in grant funding. The funds will be used to provide homebuyer financial literacy education and workshops, as well as affordable legal services aimed at helping families maintain legal ownership of their property.
Deborah Davenport, a Certified Housing Counselor with Desire Community HC, emphasized the importance of this initiative:
“Our focus is directed toward the stability of disenfranchised populations’ ability to maintain their land and property legally. Many families are at risk of losing generational wealth due to a lack of understanding of legal processes, and this grant will allow us to extend our reach and help them secure their futures.”
Louisiana Appleseed
Louisiana Appleseed, a legal advocacy organization, also received $25,000 to support its work in reducing the prevalence of heirs’ property issues in the state. These funds will enable the organization to conduct legal clinics across Louisiana in partnership with local legal aid service providers.
“Louisiana Appleseed is grateful to be a part of efforts to reduce heirs’ property in Louisiana,” said Executive Director Adrienne Wheeler. “With these grant funds, Louisiana Appleseed’s new online Louisiana Legacy Application will double the output of wills generated by legal aid for low-income and vulnerable communities in our state.”
This initiative aims to provide crucial legal documentation to families, ensuring their properties are protected and can be legally transferred to future generations without complications.
Divine Touch Community Development Center
Divine Touch CDC, another recipient of a $25,000 grant, will utilize the funds to host community events focused on homeownership and estate planning. The grant will also be used to educate individuals on how to execute a will, file paperwork to transfer a title into someone’s name, and cover certain legal fees associated with these processes.
“These funds are a much-needed asset to a community that does not typically have the resources they need. Without them, we would not be able to assist as many people as we do,” said Eleanor Shaw, Executive Director of Divine Touch CDC.
By providing legal guidance and financial education, these organizations aim to address a long-standing challenge that has disproportionately affected low-income and marginalized communities.
The Broader Impact of the Heirs’ Property Program
In 2024, FHLB Dallas, along with 20 participating member institutions, awarded a total of $2 million through the Heirs’ Property Program. This funding has been distributed to 33 organizations across a five-state district, including Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, and New Mexico. The financial support is expected to assist in clearing approximately 560 property titles and educate more than 5,670 individuals about heirs’ property issues and solutions.
LaCarsha Babers, Vice President and Community Outreach Officer at Hancock Whitney, highlighted the significance of these grants:
“We are committed to giving families the resources to create generational wealth, as well as helping entrepreneurs fulfill their dreams of owning a business. These funds give members in our community the opportunity to create successful futures.”
Partnership Grant Program (PGP) and Coastal Communities Consulting
In addition to the Heirs’ Property Program grants, FHLB Dallas also supports community initiatives through its Partnership Grant Program (PGP). This program enables FHLB Dallas member institutions to contribute between $500 and $5,000 to a nonprofit, with FHLB Dallas matching the donation at a 5:1 ratio—allowing each member to provide up to $25,000 in grant funds per organization.
Through this initiative, Coastal Communities Consulting (CCC) was awarded a $30,000 grant to support its technical assistance programs for small businesses. CCC provides critical services such as start-up planning, entity filings, licensing, permitting, financial literacy training, and more. The organization primarily assists businesses in rural and coastal regions, helping them become more resilient to economic shifts, climate change, and environmental challenges.
Sandy Ha Nguyen, Executive Director of CCC, expressed her gratitude at the check presentation event:
“It boils down to this: we focus on ‘Doing Things That Matter’ to the individuals or groups in front of us seeking our assistance. Every task or service provided often comes with an educational piece to it. The goal is for our clients to leave every session with higher self-confidence after learning something new. Then, they can share with others and ultimately become leaders in their own communities.”
Through this grant, CCC will be able to expand its outreach and impact, providing essential resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs in need.
The Continued Commitment of FHLB Dallas
FHLB Dallas has been a long-time supporter of economic development initiatives in the region, and the recent grants are part of a broader strategy to invest in community-based solutions. In 2024 alone, FHLB Dallas and its participating members allocated a total of $1.2 million in PGP funding, benefitting numerous organizations that work towards financial empowerment, small business development, and housing stability.
Greg Hettrick, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas, underscored the importance of these programs:
“It’s encouraging to see these programs in action in a city as vibrant as New Orleans. These grants play a vital role in ensuring that individuals and families have access to the resources they need to secure property ownership, build businesses, and create sustainable communities. We hope to be a part of these celebrations for years to come.
