Frequently Asked Questions

Being a "501(c)(3)" means a nonprofit organization has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax-exempt, charitable organization. This means the Ben D. Johnson Educational Center is approved to accept charitable donations and provide tax receipts to donors.

501(c)(3) organizations are non-profit organizations, established around a mission. Most people are familiar with 501(c)(3) organizations existing as churches and charities, but they also include private foundations. As long as they operate to support their mission, they receive favorable tax treatments, such as avoiding federal income and unemployment taxes.

Most of the donations made through our website are Unrestricted Funds, which means the use of these funds is left up to the BDJ Center’s needs and can be utilized for any purpose. It is essential to have unrestricted funding because other funding sources, such as grants and state/federal compensation, are Restricted Funds. The spending of these restricted funds is predetermined and cannot be used for any other area of need.

By donating Unrestricted Funds, you make it possible for the BDJ Center to have some flexibility to apply them where they are needed most within the organization.

Special Events will say if they are for a special funding area. For example, the funds from the “Continue the Legacy Campaign 2022” were used to for the Legacy Workforce Development Program.

We have made signing up easy with a few different ways. You can sign up through our website using this link Sign up here! You can also come into our office and anyone will be more than happy to help. Or you can call (318) 460-7460 and we will get your signed up via phone.

We also offer assistance to those during and after the program. Such as

-Child Care

-Gas Cards

-Uniform Costs 

-One-Time Rent/ Utilities Assistance 

-Clothing for Interviews 

-Drug Tests/ Background Check Expenses

-Work/Training Tools Expenses 

-Personal Hygiene Expenses 

-Job Placement Upon Completion

Yes! We gladly accept “in-kind” donations. In-kind donations are contributions of goods, services or time instead of cash. Please call ahead to ensure we are ready to receive your donation. Call (318) 460-7460 to tell us about what you have. Or Contact us.

Examples of Goods we need often:

Office Supplies

Garden supplies and tools

Professional Clothing

PPE and cleaning supplies

Services can also be an “in-kind” donation. If you volunteer your professional time and expertise to us, something you would or have been paid for, that is considered a Service donation. This would include but is not limited to:

Building or repair services

Professional cleaning

Presentations to Students

Workshop Presentations for the public

Please call (318) 460-7460 or email info@bdjcenter.org to let us know how you would like to contribute.

Volunteer! Your time is always in need! We have many volunteer opportunities and areas of need. Please check out our Volunteer page to see what you may be interested in. Or call us at (318) 460-7460 and we will be happy to answer your questions and find a use for your talents!

SPREAD THE WORD! Tell everyone about the BDJ Center and our programs. Share our posts on social media.

Help us Recruit Potential Students for the Legacy Workforce Development Program!

For more ideas see the Get Involved page.

VILLAGE MEMBER – Recurring Donors

Yes! A recurring gift is a donation made on a schedule. We call these recurring donors Village Members because “it takes a village” to Transform Lives and Build Community.

When donating on our website with a credit or debit card there is a box on the donation form marked, “Show my support by making this a recurring donation”, additional boxes will come up asking you to select a “Frequency” & a “Start Date”.

Frequency Choices include: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly and more.

This will set up a donation to automatically be charged to your account on the schedule that you choose, starting on the date that you choose. Become a Village Member by Donating Today.

If you would like to set up a recurring gift without a credit card, please call (318) 460-7460 and we would be happy to help you set up a recurring gift schedule that you fulfill another way. You can send a check or money order to us on the schedule that you prefer. An Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) can be set up through your bank.

Recurring gifts build the most sustainable support for our programs and our organization. Your recurring gift would be appreciated, no matter the size. Call or donate online to become a Village Member.