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The Oscar J Tolmas Charitable Trust

Annual Giving
$2.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $1.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,530,350 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation/selection only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Varies significantly - from smaller grants to major gifts of $1-1.5 million
  • Geographic Focus: Greater New Orleans metropolitan area (Louisiana)
  • Number of Awards: 71 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Website: www.ojtolmastrust.org

Address: 121 Metairie Lawn Dr Ste B, Metairie, Louisiana 70001

Note: The trust does not accept solicitations or unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Oscar J Tolmas Charitable Trust was established in 2013 through the last will and testament of Oscar J. Tolmas, a prominent New Orleans attorney, real estate developer, and World War II veteran who served as Chairman of the Louisiana Racing Commission. Upon his death in December 2013, Tolmas left his entire estate to create this charitable trust. The trust's mission is "to spread the legacy and generosity of Oscar J. Tolmas throughout the region by assisting local charitable organizations with their missions of helping others." Managed by two trustees who knew Tolmas personally, the foundation made 71 grants totaling $2,530,350 in 2023, supporting a diverse range of nonprofit organizations serving the greater New Orleans community. The trust has made transformational gifts including a $1.5 million donation to the New Orleans Jewish Community Center for the Oscar J. Tolmas Aquatics Complex and a $1 million gift to Volunteers of America for the Oscar J. Tolmas Veterans Pavilion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The trust does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. Instead, trustees proactively identify and select charitable organizations to support based on their evaluation process.

Grant Size Range: The trust awards grants of varying sizes:

  • Major capital gifts: $1-1.5 million for naming opportunities and significant facility projects
  • Program support grants: Amounts vary based on organizational need and project scope
  • Average grant size: Approximately $35,600 (calculated from 2023 total giving divided by number of awards)

Application Method: Invitation/selection only - no public application process

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the trust prioritizes:

  • Veterans Services: Support for homeless veterans, transitional housing, mental health services, and job training (reflecting Oscar Tolmas's WWII veteran status)
  • Jewish Community Organizations: Significant support for Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, and other Jewish communal institutions
  • Special Education and Disability Services: Funding for St. Michael Special School serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Children and Family Services: Support for Hope House (Children's Advocacy Center) and similar organizations
  • Community Infrastructure: New Orleans City Park, public broadcasting (WYES), and other civic institutions
  • General Human Services: Volunteers of America and other social service providers

Geographic Focus: Local charitable organizations serving the greater New Orleans metropolitan area, including New Orleans, Metairie, and surrounding communities.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the trust's documented giving patterns suggest:

  • Organizations outside the greater New Orleans region
  • National or international organizations without local programming
  • Organizations that do not align with Oscar Tolmas's values and interests

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Vincent J. Giardina, CPA (President)

  • Graduated from University of New Orleans (1974)
  • Worked in public accounting until November 2015
  • Served as Oscar Tolmas's CPA for approximately 20 years
  • Named Executor of the estates of Oscar J. Tolmas and Marjorie S. Tolmas in 2013
  • Extensive experience serving on nonprofit boards, often as Treasurer

Lisa N. Romano, CPA (Vice President)

  • Graduated from University of New Orleans (1982)
  • Worked in public accounting until January 1985
  • Worked directly for Oscar J. Tolmas from November 1998 until his death in December 2013 (15 years)
  • Brings intimate knowledge of Tolmas's philanthropic values and intentions

Trustee Philosophy

According to Vincent Giardina: "We evaluated and selected Hope House and determined that this was an organization that we wanted to support."

The trustees' approach reflects a hands-on, personal evaluation process grounded in their deep knowledge of Oscar Tolmas's values and the New Orleans community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Oscar J Tolmas Charitable Trust does not have a public application process. The trust explicitly does not accept solicitations for donations.

Instead, the two trustees proactively identify and select charitable organizations to support using their own evaluation process. According to available information, the trustees evaluate:

  1. The organization's mission
  2. The individuals involved with the organization
  3. The organization's financial stability

Grants are awarded based entirely on trustee discretion and initiative, not in response to applications or proposals.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the trust operates on a trustee-initiated selection model rather than responding to applications with defined timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable - there is no public application process to generate success rate data.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations cannot apply or reapply as the trust does not accept solicitations.

Application Success Factors

Since this trust does not accept applications, the traditional concept of "application success factors" does not apply. However, based on the documented pattern of grants, organizations that have received support share these characteristics:

Criteria for Selection

Mission Alignment: Organizations that align with Oscar Tolmas's known interests and values:

  • Veterans services (honoring his WWII service)
  • Jewish communal organizations (reflecting his heritage)
  • Education and special needs services
  • Community infrastructure and quality of life
  • Social services for vulnerable populations

Financial Stability: The trustees explicitly evaluate "the organization's financial stability," suggesting they prefer supporting well-managed organizations that will use funds effectively.

Quality Leadership: The trustees consider "the individuals involved" with an organization, indicating that strong, trustworthy leadership matters in their evaluation.

Community Impact: Recent grants demonstrate preference for organizations providing critical services to underserved populations in the New Orleans area.

Notable Funded Projects

Examples of projects the trust has supported include:

  • $1.5 million to New Orleans Jewish Community Center for the Oscar J. Tolmas Aquatics Complex
  • $1 million to Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana for the Oscar J. Tolmas Veterans Pavilion (36 beds for homeless veterans)
  • Funding for Hope House conference room renovation and parking lot construction in Covington
  • Lead sponsorship of St. Michael Special School fundraisers (Blue Rose Ball, Harbor Fest, Chefs' Charity)
  • Two new vans for St. Michael Special School to transport over 70 students annually
  • Funding for Oscar J. Tolmas Visitor Center at New Orleans City Park

What Makes Organizations Stand Out

Based on trustee statements and giving patterns:

  • Deep community roots and local focus - all documented grants support New Orleans-area organizations
  • Clear mission and measurable impact - trustees look for organizations with defined purposes
  • Quality of people involved - leadership quality is an explicit evaluation criterion
  • Financial responsibility - financial stability is a key consideration
  • Connection to Oscar Tolmas's values - veterans, Jewish community, education, and community service

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This trust cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - they do not accept solicitations and operate entirely through trustee-initiated selection
  • Focus is exclusively on greater New Orleans area - organizations outside this region are not within scope
  • Major gifts are possible - the trust has made transformational gifts of $1-1.5 million for significant projects
  • Trustee discretion is absolute - Vincent Giardina and Lisa Romano personally select all recipients based on their knowledge of Oscar Tolmas's values
  • Veterans and Jewish community organizations receive significant attention, reflecting Oscar Tolmas's WWII service and heritage
  • Financial stability matters - trustees explicitly evaluate organizational finances as part of selection criteria
  • Long-term relationships valued - trustees knew Oscar Tolmas for 15-20 years and appear to value similar sustained connections with grantees
  • Building visibility in the New Orleans nonprofit community may be the only path to consideration, as trustees must become aware of an organization through other means than solicitations

References

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