Sarah Barnet is a Nonprofit Coordinator at Gulf Coast Bank, where she helps lead Auctions in August, a unique fundraising initiative that has raised nearly $1.7 million for nonprofits across the Gulf South. We sat down with Sarah to talk about how the program works, why it was created, and how it helps organizations raise funds without taking on the burden of running their own auction. She shares how businesses, community members, and nonprofits come together each year to turn donated items and experiences into meaningful support for local causes.

We also discuss what makes a successful auction item, the creative donations that have stood out over the years, and how smaller nonprofits can use the program to increase both funding and visibility. Sarah gives us an inside look at the logistics behind managing hundreds of auction items, the impact Auctions in August has had on participating organizations, and Gulf Coast Bank’s broader commitment to strengthening communities through nonprofit partnerships, financial literacy, and community engagement.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Kenneth Hoffman is the Executive Director of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. We sat down with Kenneth to talk about the museum’s mission to preserve and share over 300 years of Jewish history in the American South, and why understanding these stories matters now more than ever. From immigration and identity to community-building and cultural exchange, Kenneth shares how Southern Jewish communities helped shape the South while also creating spaces of belonging for generations of families.

We also dive into the museum’s newest exhibit, Holocaust Survivors in a New Land: The New Americans Social Club of New Orleans, which highlights Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in New Orleans after World War II. Kenneth walks us through the powerful stories behind the exhibit, the process of curating personal artifacts and oral histories, and the importance of creating spaces that encourage empathy, curiosity, and conversation. We also discuss education programs, genealogy research, New Orleans hospitality, and why the museum wants every visitor to feel at home the moment they walk through the doors.

To learn more about the museum’s collection and special exhibitions, visit www.msje.org

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/

Emily Snyder is a Program Manager at Urban Conservancy. We sat down with Emily to talk about how Urban Conservancy is helping build a greener, healthier, and more resilient New Orleans through stormwater management, native plants, tree advocacy, and community-driven environmental education. From protecting the city’s tree canopy to helping residents better understand green infrastructure, Emily shares how small actions can create a major impact across neighborhoods.

We also dive into Urban Conservancy’s work with local schools, volunteer programs, and community projects focused on reducing flooding, improving urban habitats, and making environmental advocacy more accessible for everyday residents. Emily explains why trees are one of the city’s most valuable resources, how native plants strengthen local ecosystems, and what New Orleanians can do to get involved in protecting the environment around them.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot. Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

Follow Comfy Stone:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfystonefilms/

Website: https://www.comfystone.com/