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Lois And Lloyd Hawkins Jr Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.8M
Grant Range
$15K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,815,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $43,927,758
  • Grant Range: $15,000 - $250,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Number of Grants (2024): 17
  • Geographic Focus: Louisiana, with emphasis on New Orleans area

Contact Details

Address: 300 Board of Trade Place, New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone: (504) 525-0208

Contact Person: H L Hawkins III, President

Application Method: Submit name, address, phone number, and type of request to the contact above

Overview

The Lois And Lloyd Hawkins Jr Foundation was established in 2005 as a private family foundation (501(c)(3)) based in New Orleans, Louisiana. With total assets of approximately $44 million and annual charitable disbursements of $1.8 million, the foundation supports nonprofit organizations primarily in Louisiana with a strong emphasis on the New Orleans area. Led by President H L Hawkins III (son of the founders Lois & Lloyd Hawkins Jr), along with Vice President/Secretary Deborah Hawkins and Treasurer John C Lovell Jr, the foundation demonstrates a focused commitment to arts and culture, veterans' causes, and community services. In 2024, the foundation was honored by The American Legion at its 105th National Convention in New Orleans for over a decade of charitable giving to the organization, with National Commander Daniel Seehafer noting that the foundation's gifts "have helped change lives and, as you know, save lives."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grantmaking program with no specific deadlines, accepting applications on a rolling basis. Recent grants have ranged from $15,000 to $250,000, with a median grant size of $50,000. The foundation typically makes 15-17 grants annually.

Priority Areas

Based on 2024 grant distributions and historical patterns, the foundation focuses on:

Performing Arts (major funding area):

  • Opera
  • Ballet
  • Symphonic music/orchestras

Arts and Culture:

  • Art museums
  • Cultural institutions

Veterans Support:

  • Military-related causes
  • Veterans organizations

Human Services:

  • Food banks
  • Addiction recovery programs

Community Foundations:

  • Support for community-based grantmaking organizations

Top 2024 Grant Recipients

  • Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra: $250,000
  • New Orleans Ballet Association: $250,000
  • New Orleans Museum of Art: $250,000
  • Greater New Orleans Foundation: $200,000
  • New Orleans Opera Association: $200,000
  • The American Legion: $100,000+

Governance and Leadership

H L Hawkins III - President: Son of founders Lois & Lloyd Hawkins Jr. Speaking about the foundation's support of The American Legion, he stated: "It's a privilege to be able to donate to The American Legion. I'm honored to accept this in recognition, on behalf of my parents and the foundation."

Deborah Hawkins - Vice President/Secretary

John C Lovell Jr - Treasurer

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with no reported officer compensation, relying on investment income and asset sales to fund its charitable activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis with no published deadlines. The application process is intentionally simple and straightforward.

To apply, submit the following to the contact address:

  • Organization name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Type of request (brief description of what you're seeking funding for)

All correspondence should be directed to: H L Hawkins III, President 300 Board of Trade Place New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: (504) 525-0208

There is no online portal or formal application form. The foundation appears to prefer initial contact via written request.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. As a private family foundation with rolling applications, the review process likely varies depending on when applications are received and when board meetings are scheduled.

Success Rates

The foundation makes approximately 15-17 grants per year from total charitable disbursements of $1.8 million. With limited application information publicly available, specific success rates are not disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. However, the foundation demonstrates a pattern of repeat funding to organizations it supports, as evidenced by multi-year relationships with organizations like The American Legion (over a decade) and major New Orleans arts institutions.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of the foundation's grantmaking patterns and publicly available information, the following factors appear critical for success:

Strong New Orleans Connection: The foundation shows a clear geographic preference for New Orleans-based organizations or those serving the New Orleans community. Nearly all major grants go to New Orleans institutions.

Alignment with Core Interests: The foundation's giving is highly concentrated in performing arts and culture, particularly opera, ballet, and symphonic music, along with veterans' causes. Organizations outside these areas appear to receive limited consideration.

Established Institutions: The foundation favors well-established, prominent organizations with proven track records. Top grant recipients include major cultural institutions like the New Orleans Museum of Art, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and New Orleans Ballet Association.

Significant Funding Requests: With a median grant of $50,000 and many grants in the $200,000-$250,000 range, this foundation appears to prefer making meaningful investments rather than many small grants. Organizations seeking grants below $15,000 may not align with the foundation's grantmaking approach.

Long-term Relationships: Evidence suggests the foundation values ongoing partnerships with organizations it supports, maintaining multi-year funding relationships rather than frequently rotating grant recipients.

Simple, Direct Communication: The foundation's streamlined application process (requiring only basic contact information and request type) suggests they value clarity and directness over elaborate proposals.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic focus is critical: Organizations must have strong ties to Louisiana, particularly the New Orleans area, to be competitive for funding.

  • Arts organizations have clear advantage: The foundation's primary interest is in performing arts, especially opera, ballet, and orchestral music. Cultural institutions represent the majority of funding.

  • Think big: With grants ranging from $15,000 to $250,000 and a median of $50,000, this foundation makes substantial investments. Small grant requests may not be the best fit.

  • Veterans' organizations are priority: Beyond the arts, the foundation demonstrates consistent commitment to veterans and military-related causes, as evidenced by over a decade of support to The American Legion.

  • Keep initial contact simple: Don't over-complicate your first approach. The foundation requests only name, address, phone, and a brief description of your request.

  • Institutional credibility matters: The foundation's track record shows preference for established, well-known organizations with proven impact in their communities.

  • Consider multi-year potential: The foundation appears to value sustained partnerships, so frame your request with potential for ongoing relationship rather than one-time funding.

References

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