The recipient entity's physical address:
           2325 Highway 15
Winnsboro, LA 71295

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           P.O. Box 907
Winnsboro, LA 71295

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

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  7004

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $56,000

What type of request is this?  Both

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:
           Michael Blaise Sims, MBA, Board Member - President
670 Highway 868
Winnsboro, LA 71295

Michael Ryan Ellington, JD, Board Member - Vice President
225 Ellington Road
Winnsboro, LA 71295

Kirk Thevis, CPA, Board Member - Treasurer
1739 Sugar Cane Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Carmen Sims, MBA, Board Member - Secretary
2325 Highway 15
Winnsboro, LA 71295

Hunter White, BS, Board Member - Officer at Large
1082 New Zion Road
Winnsboro, LA 71295

Lauren Reed, BS, Board Member
1307 Althea Street
Houston, TX 77018

Caroline Sims, BS, Board Member
670 Highway 868
Winnsboro, LA 71295

Melanie Christian, COTA, Board Member
2714 Carondelet Lane
Monroe, LA 71201

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The Brandon Kirk Sims Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office, requests grant funding to facilitate two initiatives within the MERIT program: an Educational Achievement Incentive Program for students receiving tutoring and a Vocational Skills Development Program for adults with disabilities.

Both projects reflect the Foundation's commitment to improving lives through educational opportunity, personal development, community service, and meaningful participation.

Project 1: Educational Achievement Incentive Program

Purpose and Description: This project will recognize and reward students in grades 2–12 who receive tutoring through MERIT and demonstrate improvement in academic performance or personal learning goals. Incentives may recognize improved grades, standardized test scores, increased numbers of books read, reading comprehension, tutoring attendance, assignment completion, and progress in other targeted learning areas.

Rationale: Students learn at different rates and begin at different academic levels. Those who struggle may become discouraged when success does not come easily. Positive reinforcement can encourage perseverance, build confidence, and strengthen motivation to learn. By rewarding measurable improvement rather than only high grades, the program recognizes effort and achievement at every level.

Students will be encouraged to set attainable goals and celebrate progress toward them. Incentives may include books, educational supplies, certificates, and other age-appropriate rewards. Progress will be monitored through tutoring records, teacher feedback, available academic data, reading logs, and individualized goals.

Project 2: Vocational Skills Development for Adults with Disabilities

Purpose and Description: This project will establish a vocational program within MERIT's Adults with Disabilities program, teaching participants to assist in producing concrete candle containers and handmade soap products. Activities will be adapted to individual abilities and may include sorting supplies, filling molds, smoothing surfaces, decorating, labeling, wrapping, and packaging finished products.

Rationale: Adults with developmental and physical disabilities deserve opportunities to develop practical skills, build confidence, and participate meaningfully in their communities. In rural areas, accessible vocational opportunities may be limited. This initiative will provide a structured, supportive environment where participants can learn through hands-on experience.

Concrete candle and soap production can be divided into simple, repetitive, sequential tasks that accommodate a range of abilities. Tasks can be demonstrated visually, practiced consistently, and adjusted to individual needs. Participants may perform a single step or several steps, with adapted tools, verbal prompts, or staff assistance as appropriate.

Repetition can reinforce task familiarity, attention, coordination, and confidence. Participants will also practice following instructions, making choices, organizing materials, working with others, and taking pride in completing a product. Success will be measured by individual progress and meaningful participation, not production volume.

All activities will be supervised, with appropriate safety procedures, accessible equipment, and protective supplies. Staff will manage hazardous steps, including handling hot materials and ingredients requiring special precautions.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $51,000
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $5,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

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?
          Both projects are grounded in the belief that every individual deserves an opportunity to grow, achieve, and experience the satisfaction of personal success. Whether encouraging a student to read another book, improve a grade, or persevere through a difficult subject, or helping an adult with disabilities complete a meaningful vocational task, these initiatives turn that belief into practical community action.
By supporting educational improvement and inclusive vocational development, this grant will help MERIT strengthen individual potential, expand meaningful opportunities, and contribute to a more supportive and resilient Franklin Parish community.
The Brandon Kirk Sims Foundation, Inc. remains committed to reaching into the community through financial contributions, community service, and spiritual endeavors to help build a better community.
Community is family.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The incentive program will seek to achieve the following outcomes:
1. Increase student motivation, engagement, and participation in tutoring.
2. Improve academic performance in targeted subjects and overall coursework.
3. Encourage measurable growth in standardized test scores where assessment data are available.
4. Increase reading frequency, reading comprehension, and the number of books completed.
5. Strengthen study habits, persistence, self-confidence, and personal responsibility.
6. Establish a consistent system for tracking and celebrating individual student progress.
Program effectiveness will be evaluated through tutoring attendance, documented individual goals, available academic and assessment data, reading logs, incentive participation, and periodic review of student progress. Results will help MERIT identify successful strategies and make appropriate adjustments to the program.
The vocational program will seek to achieve the following outcomes:
1. Establish a structured, supervised vocational skills program within MERIT's Adults with Disabilities program.
2. Increase opportunities for participants to engage in meaningful, hands-on activities.
3. Develop task-specific skills through demonstration, repetition, and supported practice.
4. Encourage improvements in task completion, attention, coordination, organization, and following instructions, as appropriate to individual abilities.
5. Promote self-confidence, personal choice, social interaction, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment.
6. Provide opportunities to learn introductory vocational concepts, including packaging, quality awareness, and responsibility for assigned tasks.
7. Create an adaptable model of vocational engagement that can be sustained and refined based on participant needs and program resources.
Progress will be evaluated using individualized participation goals, staff observations, task-completion records, skill checklists, participant engagement, and periodic reviews of each person's development. Evaluation will focus on individual progress and meaningful participation rather than comparing participants with one another or measuring success solely by the number of products made.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           July 2027 through June 2028

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:
                 0

     (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: 
               NA

(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?  NA

(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:
                 NA

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


Contact Information
name:  Carmen R Sims 
                                       address:  P. O. Box 907 2325 HIGHWAY 15
Winnsboro, LA 71295
                                       phone:  3183665385
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  carmenrsims@gmail.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Director, Secretary