50th Independence Bowl: December 22 at 7:30 p.m. CST
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1st & Give
The Independence Bowl spans over six decades, and the Independence Bowl Foundation, great partners and support, and the Northwest Louisiana community are a few of the many reasons for its successful endurance.
The Independence Bowl is more than just a football game, and through 1st & Give, the Independence Bowl is committed to impacting as many people and organizations in our local area as possible.
The goal of 1st & Give is to raise the charitable giving profile of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl and Independence Bowl Foundation – further serving the mission of the Independence Bowl Foundation of enhancing the community impact in the Shreveport-Bossier City area. 1st & Give initiatives include the Willis Knighton Community Service Scholarships, Extra Yard for Teachers donations, Big Game Show Charity Round and other philanthropic projects and endeavors.
Check out all of our 1st & Give endeavors and sponsors below!
1ST & GIVE SPONSORS
Extra Yard for Teachers
Partnering with the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl has donated over $142,000 to local teachers and schools since 2021.
In 2025, the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl donated $40,000 to local educators in Northwest Louisiana. The Independence Bowl and Extra Yard for Teachers \ teamed up in March 2025 to donate $10,000 to Starbase Louisiana to help fund Barksdale Air Force Base’s Starbase branch during federal budget negotiations, and in December 2025, the bowl donated $1,000 to 29 local educators. They also donated $1,000 total to two teachers on the Extra Yard for Teachers BIG DAY on September 16, 2025.
Willis Knighton Community Service Scholarships
Each year, the Independence Bowl Foundation and Willis Knighton Health award a scholarship to one Caddo Parish and one Bossier Parish graduating senior. The scholarship is awarded based on academic success and commitment to improving the community through service. The scholarship was increased from $2,500 to $5,000 apiece in 2025. $105,000 in scholarships has been awarded in the first 20 years of the program. 2025 marked the 20th year of the program.
Big game Show Charity Round, presented by Martin Specialty Coatings
In 2025, for the second straight year, the annual Big Game Show went bigger than ever. Martin Specialty Coatings sponsored the second annual Charity Round of the Big Game Show.
Hannah House Ministries received a $10,000 donation from the winning team, and Hub Ministries received a $5,000 donation. Over the first two years of the Big Game Show Charity Round, presented by Martin Specialty Coatings, local charitable organizations have received $22,500 in donations.
INdependence Bowl Scholar Program
A program entering its third year, the Independence Bowl Scholar Program provides Independence Bowl game tickets and meal coupons to up to 2,000 students from Caddo Parish Public Schools (K-12) based on academic achievement or progress during the fall semester.
Students who receive the tickets and meal coupons are selected by each school and receive a letter with the directions on how to redeem their game tickets and meal coupons.
“SHOW YOUR INDEPENDENCE” ART CONTEST
The Independence Bowl started the “Show Your Independence” Art Contest 11 years ago, which asks local elementary school kids to draw what the word “Independence” means to them. Winners are selected from each grade level and given two tickets to the game, and their artwork is displayed during the game.
Independence Bowl Foundation
425 Ashley Ridge Blvd, Suite 360, Shreveport, LA 71106 | P.O. Box 6834, Shreveport, LA 71136
318.221.0712 | 888.414.BOWL | [email protected]