Developing Tools to Expand Legacy

When we first started planning for MLK Holiday BR 2024, we knew it was going to be a huge effort. Pulling off a city-wide volunteer day meant juggling a lot—grant funding, event logistics, community partnerships, and making sure volunteers had a meaningful experience. But that’s exactly the kind of challenge we love at NURA. We’re not just here to organize; we’re here to make impact happen.

Partnering for a Greater Baton Rouge

MLK Holiday BR was a vision from former Mayor Sharon Weston Broome in commemoration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Her purpose in creating the initiative was to demonstrate that the national holiday is about more than just honoring Dr. King’s legacy with a single day of service—it was about igniting action that had ripple effects of impact. MLK Holiday BR was about Baton Rouge neighbors showing up for their communities through service, mentorship, and advocacy.

In 2024, the City had introduced a grant process to support local organizations in carrying out service projects, from community clean-ups to literacy and youth empowerment programs. But having funding is just one part of the equation—executing a successful event takes planning, organization, and strategy. That’s where we came in.

Making It Work, One Detail at a Time

Coordinating 14 different community initiatives across Baton Rouge was no small feat, but we knew that the key to success was structure and support. We used the volunteer management platform GivePulse to create dedicated event pages for each grant recipient, making it easier to schedule volunteers, track impact, and keep things running smoothly.

But technology alone doesn’t make things happen—people do. Our team acted as the bridge between the City and community organizations, hosting GivePulse training sessions, answering last-minute questions, and stepping in wherever needed. On the day of service, we were everywhere—checking in volunteers, troubleshooting logistics, and making sure each initiative had what it needed to thrive.

The Impact: More Than Just Numbers

When the weekend wrapped, the numbers spoke for themselves:

• $120,000 in grant funding distributed
• 14 community events supported
• 628 volunteers engaged
• Over 2,500 volunteer hours contributed

But the real impact? It was in the connections made, the neighborhoods revitalized, and the young people inspired to serve. It was in the organizations who now have stronger infrastructures to continue their work beyond MLK Day.At NURA, we specialize in taking big ideas and making them actionable. We bring order to the chaos of large-scale initiatives, ensuring that every detail is covered so the mission stays front and center. MLK Holiday BR 2024 wasn’t just another project for us—it was a chance to help build something lasting for Baton Rouge.Want to support or learn more about MLK Holiday BR? Visit their website to get involved.