"The focus of the fund will be to help those individuals and families evacuated from the greater New Orleans area as they address immediate concerns related to housing, food, education, health care, and basic survival necessities," said JALC president Derek E. Gordon. "The fund will also provide resources to assist individuals over time to rebuild their homes and livelihoods."

Applications for the grants, which are administered through the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, are available at www.foundationsforrecovery.org. Applications are due by November 7.

JALC raised more than $2 million for the Higher Ground fund with a benefit concert and television broadcast on September 17. Blue Note Records will release a CD of excerpts from the concert on November 22; proceeds from sales of the CD will also go to the Higher Ground fund.