Center for World Affairs taking steps to stay solvent

Faced with the loss of $115,000 of its $165,000 budget for 2012, the Baton Rouge Center for World Affairs is focusing on securing bare-bones funding to keep afloat. At an emergency meeting today, members of the nonprofit center’s board met to explore potential funding avenues to meet center expenses in January, and to determine a long-term financial plan. “One thing we cannot do is shut down and give up,” center President Monika Olivier told the board. “Once we’re closed, we’re closed.” The center is seeking about $2,500 to meet basic expenses in January, including rent, insurance and payroll for its two employees. Part of that will be covered by an existing $1,000 balance, as well as by small donations from many of the board members. The board agreed to form a committee that Olivier says will “put us on some kind of path” to financial stability. The center will also seek outside donations to stay open in January; request a meeting with Mayor Kip Holden—who sits on the board but was not present—to explore alternative public funding sources; and write to council members explaining the group’s mission and economic impact. The Center for World Affairs lost $115,000 of its annual budget after the Metro Council voted at its special Dec. 13 meeting to redirect the money to the Louisiana Youth Leadership Institute. A budget issued at today’s meeting listed a projected income of $165,000 for 2012, including the now-canceled funding. Among the center’s most high-profile activities is the International Heritage Celebration. —Ian McGibboney