At an awards ceremony at the Greater New Orleans Foundation today, 21 nonprofit leaders within a 10-parish area celebrated the impact of a $5 million gift from an anonymous donor who wanted to help residents in the coastal parishes who are still struggling in the wake of the Gulf Coast oil spill. The donor established the $25 million gift through the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors to assist people in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The Greater New Orleans Foundation received the largest share with a gift of $5 million.
“Per the wishes of the donor, we rolled out almost $5 million in grants over a six month time frame across the region,” said Marco Cocito-Monoc, director of regional initiatives at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “The collective impact is still being measured, but we know these resources are improving the lives of many across the region.”
For example, 90,000 households are being fed through the support of food pantries; 20,000 residents are being assistance in social services; 30,000 residents are benefiting from financial planning, literacy, education, and workforce training; 1,040 women and children are receiving emergency shelter; medical services are being provided to over 3,000 underinsured patients; and, efforts are being made to protect the heritage of 1,000 members of the United Houma Nation.
“We chose the Greater New Orleans Foundation because they are more than just grantmakers,” said Amy Holmes, senior philanthropic advisor at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. “They have created a comprehensive, holistic approach throughout the region. They listen. They strategize. Then, they invest.”
In addition to receiving grant dollars, the nonprofits will benefit from technical trainings and workshops conducted by the staff at the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
“It’s more than just a check,” said Joann Ricci, director of organizational effectiveness at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “We offer advice, best-practices, and networking opportunities to make these organizations stronger.”
The Greater New Orleans Foundation focused its funding on the following areas: mental health and wellness; social services and financial stability; and youth resiliency. The ten parishes served include the following: Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, Terrebonne, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist.
Announcing Final Round
The following nine organizations received $2.2M in the latest round:
Bayou Grace Communities Service – $241,850
To support case management services, job re-training assistance, after-school youth tutoring/mentoring services, and community outreach.
Children’s Bureau of New Orleans – $250,000
To ensure that children, youth and families who are experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, and other significant mental health issues have access to mental health and psycho-educational services.
Partnership for Youth Development – $299,708
To support expanded learning, workforce training, and paid work placement opportunities for youth.
Houma Regional Arts Council – $240,447
To fund the Coastal Communities Youth Arts Project for six parishes.
Youth Empowerment Project – $210,548
To develop and intensive, mentoring-based prevention program for youth at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Mercy Family Center – $274,500
To continue the expansion of the successful post-disaster mental health program, Mercy Community Hope Project.
Grow Dat – $214,586
To support the Grow Dat Youth Farm, a program that aims to develop young leaders through urban agriculture.
South Central Industrial Association – $374,000
To continue the Work It! Louisiana program which provides student information on job opportunities.
Latino Farmers’ Cooperative of Louisiana – $125,857
To expand community food initiatives that will reduce hunger, promote food security, and increase access to social services.
Previously Announced
The following thirteen organizations previously received $2.4M:
Bayou Interfaith Shared Community Organizing
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
Catholic Charities Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Coastal Communities Consulting
Community Center of St. Bernard
Plaquemines Community C.A.R.E. Centers Foundation
Options for Independence
Saint Anna’s Episcopal Church
St. Bernard Battered Women’s Program
Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
Seedco Financial
United Houma Nation
For more detail on the previously announced first round and second round Coastal Community Fund grantees, see the above hyperlinks.
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The Greater New Orleans Foundation is the community foundation serving the 13-parish Greater New Orleans region. We design and lead initiative that improve the region, connect donors to community needs, identify and support great nonprofits, and strengthen civil society.
2012 GRANT & FUNDRAISING NEWS 