PASCAGOULA—The name Todd Trenchard has become synonymous with the name Bacot after serving the Foundation and the Gulf Coast for the past 23 years.
The Bacot Foundation was formed in 1978 and later added the name McCarty in 2003 to become known as the Bacot McCarty Foundation in 2003. Its establishment was designed to enhance lives in the Gulf Coast region with a focus on youth, education, the arts, and other worthy causes.
Because of how the Foundation has grown and expanded its geographical reach westward down the coast and even into Alabama, in 2022 the name was again changed to the Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi.
“The foundation is named for Ed and Bertha Bacot,” Trenchard said. “Upon her death in 1978, a foundation was set up to disperse funds into the community that they had accrued and had blessed them.”
To enhance lives, the Bacot Foundation supports local non-profit organizations financially through partnerships and networking with other non-profit leaders, major corporations, and individuals. For 20 years, the Foundation hosted The Jolly cocktail party and golf tournament and has now shifted its focus to Renaissance the Runway Fashion Show.
“The Foundation has raised funds through partnerships with major corporations, generous individual donations and super fundraising events,” Trenchard said of his always sold-out events. “The Foundation is changing into an organization that promotes philanthropy through legacy gifts and management of donor advised funds.”
Most of the non-profits supported by Bacot have a long-standing relationship with the community and with board members. Trenchard said he regularly reviews the needs of the community to determine how to best supplement and enhance the mission of these organizations.
But while Bacot has blessed so many organizations, it has served as not only a blessing but also a lifesaver for Trenchard. He became involved in 2003 after graduating from the Home of Grace where he was being treated for alcohol addiction. In 2005 he was named the first and only executive director of Bacot while he was also an executive officer at Merchants and Marine Bank. His experience combined with business development provided him the time and skills to run the foundation.
“Together the two positions made my responsibilities very important,” he said. “We were able to help start the recovery after Hurricane Katrina with Rebuild Jackson County, and I became the chairman of many of the non-profits and was afforded the opportunity to meet people across the region and establish relations with all the media resources along the Gulf Coast.”
Even through his struggle with addiction, he said he was in the right place at the right time, and through philanthropy and the generosity of the community, he recently celebrated 28 years since his Home of Grace graduation and recovery.
“I’ve been able to lead the foundation and be a voice for the many agencies and causes in our region,” Trenchard said as he looked back over the past experiences. “Through it all, I have been able to personally give back.”
Trenchard said he has been recognized for his work and recovery, but he remains humble with a very simple goal.
“To stay sober, help others and show them what God can do through anyone’s life,” he said. “I am just someone who God touched used to make a difference all across our region.”
