The Greater New Orleans Foundation

Quick Stats

• Total Assets: Over $500 million (2024)
• Annual Giving: $43.1 million (2023)
• Grant Range: $100 - $630,626
• Average Grant: $20,000
• Number of Annual Grants: 585-666 grants per year
• Geographic Focus: 13 parishes in Southeast Louisiana
• Decision Time: Varies by programme (typically 2-4 months)
• Application Method: Mixed (online portal with fixed deadlines for most programmes)

Contact Details

Website: www.gnof.org

Email: grants@gnof.org

Phone: Not publicly listed

Address: New Orleans, LA

Donor Portal: gnof.my.site.com/login

Social Media: @gnofoundation (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

Overview

Established in 1923, the Greater New Orleans Foundation is one of the region's most significant philanthropic institutions, serving 13 parishes across Southeast Louisiana: Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington. With over $500 million in assets managing more than 1,100 funds, GNOF distributed $43.1 million through 585 grants in 2023. As a community foundation, GNOF operates as a pass-through entity enabling donors to support local, regional, and national nonprofits whilst also maintaining its own strategic grantmaking programmes. The foundation has earned a Four-Star rating (100%) from Charity Navigator and is a signatory to Philanthropy's Promise, committing to allocate the majority of grantmaking dollars to marginalised communities and at least 25% to social justice strategies including advocacy, community organising, and civic engagement. President and CEO Andy Kopplin has led the foundation since 2016, successfully growing assets beyond the $500 million centennial goal reached in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

IMPACT Grants Programme

• Status: Relaunched following programme redesign (on hold 2023-2024)
• Amount: Average $20,000 (can vary)
• Application: Online portal with annual deadline
• Timeline: Updated strategy announced periodically

IMPACT Special Funding Opportunities

• Categories: Kahn Oppenheim Trust, Harold W. Newman Trust, Gulf States Eye Surgery Fund, Michael R. Boh Fund
• Application Opens: Typically July
• Deadline: Typically August
• Award Announcement: Typically November
• Amount: Varies by fund

LGBTQ Fund

• Amount: $100,000 total distributed among multiple grantees
• Application: Annual cycle

Greater Together Fund for Racial Equity

• Total Awarded: Over $3.3 million since November 2020
• Focus: Organisations advancing racial equity in the region

Disaster Response Grants

• Recent Example: Gayle and Tom Benson Disaster Relief Fund; New Year's Day Tragedy Fund
• Application: Typically responsive, based on community needs

Other Programmes:

• New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund
• Parks and Parkways Tree Planting Grant
• Community-Led Green Infrastructure
• Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant
• GNOF Exxon-Mobil Fund
• Gert Town Community Fund
• Selley Foundation

Priority Areas

GNOF operates through six primary programme areas:

1. Civic Leadership - Overcoming challenges beyond financial constraints through civic leadership and community inspiration
2. Economic Opportunity - Workforce development and economic equity initiatives
3. Environment - Urban water management, green infrastructure, climate action with equity focus
4. Nonprofit Leadership & Effectiveness - Capacity building for regional nonprofits
5. Workforce - Job creation and training programmes
6. Disaster Response and Restoration - Emergency relief and long-term recovery

Strategic Emphases:

• Marginalised communities (majority of grantmaking)
• Social justice strategies (minimum 25% of grants): advocacy, community organising, civic engagement
• Organisations demonstrating advocacy on behalf of underserved communities
• Creative engagement of multiple stakeholders
• Integration of individual, family, and community views into needs assessment and policy initiatives
• Historic racial inequities
• Climate action and environmental justice
• Health and life sciences (Spirit of Charity Innovation District)

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Public, private, or parochial schools
• Programmes that promote religious doctrine
• Grants from donor-advised funds cannot benefit specific individuals (IRS restriction)

Note: Organisations that are not tax-exempt but have a fiscal agent relationship with a 501(c)(3) organisation are eligible to apply.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Andy Kopplin - President and CEO (since 2016)

• Previously served as first deputy mayor and chief administrative officer for Mayor Mitch Landrieu
• Led the Foundation's successful initiative to grow assets to over $500M by its 100-year anniversary in 2023, including $21 million in new endowments
• Quote: "As the Greater New Orleans Foundation celebrates 100 years of philanthropy, leadership, and action, we remain committed to ensuring our region continues to be strong and thriving 100 years from now."
• On Strategic Focus: The Foundation "is proud to lead the Spirit of Charity Innovation District efforts because it aligns with our vision to be a strong civic leader on major issues... a blueprint to create jobs, honour the Spirit of Charity Hospital, and create a model development strategy that will truly be equitable and inclusive for all New Orleanians."

Senior Leadership Team:

• Eric Seling - Chief Operating Officer
• Karla G. Rivera - Chief of Staff
• Meg Miles - Vice President for Philanthropy
• Kellie Chavez Greene - Vice President for Programmes
• Courtney Thomas - Vice President for Communications & Public Affairs
• Sherina Clavier - Vice President of Finance

Board of Trustees

Board Officers:

• Alex Gershanik - Board Chair
• Jeanette Davis-Loeb - Board Vice Chair
• Lynne Burkart - Board Secretary
• R. Foster Duncan - Board Treasurer
• David Barksdale - Past Chair (Principal of Alluvian Capital LLC)

Board Members (26 additional trustees): Christopher J. Alfieri, Shawn M. Barney, Erica N. Beck, Ronald V. Burns Sr., Vanessa Brown Claiborne, Richard F. Cortizas, Katie Crosby, Catherine G. Freeman, John M. Hairston, William M. Hammack, Jeff Hébert, Miriam Wogan Henry, Cathy Wright Isaacson, Brian A. Jackson, Dennis Lauscha, Erika McConduit, Stephanie November, Roger H. Ogden, Deanna Rodríguez, Monica Sylvain, Ann Thorpe Thompson, Allison Berger Tiller, Nancy Bissinger Timm, Patricia E. Weeks, Sharonda R. Williams, Bertrand A. Wilson, and Andy Wisdom.

Governance Practices: The board conducts formal orientation for new members, requires written agreements regarding roles and responsibilities, conducts annual written assessments of the CEO, reviews conflict-of-interest policies annually with signed disclosures, ensures inclusive recruitment for diversity of thought and leadership, and completes formal written self-assessments every three years.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application System:

1. Create an account at GNOF's online portal (managed by technology partner Foundant)
2. Complete application form with all required attachments
3. Submit by programme deadline (11:59 PM CT)
4. Important: Review the brief tutorial video provided by Foundant before starting your application
5. Critical: Proposals not submitted electronically may not be considered

Two-Step Review Process:

1. GNOF programme staff review all applications
2. Selected organisations are contacted for a site visit
3. Final grant decisions made and awards announced

Contact for Questions: grants@gnof.org

Required Application Components

• Description of the project to be funded, including strategies, measurable objectives, and timetable
• Copy of most recent Form 990
• Description of the population to be reached, how you will inform them, how they will be involved, and how they will benefit
• Number of people to be served
• Strategies for programme implementation
• Staff and organisational capacity to deliver the programme

Decision Timeline

IMPACT Special Funding Opportunities:

• Application Opens: Typically July
• Deadline: Typically August, 11:59 PM CT
• Award Announcement: Typically November

General Process: Typically 2-4 months from submission to decision, depending on programme

IMPACT Grants Programme: Timeline announced periodically with programme updates

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation made 585-666 grants annually from 2019-2023, suggesting substantial grantmaking activity across the region.

Reapplication Policy

Organisations with a current IMPACT renewal grant are not eligible to apply for additional IMPACT funding. Organisations may only submit one application per IMPACT cycle, including special funding categories. The foundation does not explicitly prohibit unsuccessful applicants from reapplying in subsequent cycles.

Application Success Factors

Priority Alignment:

• Demonstrate advocacy on behalf of underserved communities at community, legislative, judicial, and/or executive levels
• Show creative engagement of multiple stakeholders to promote creation of new public sources of support for nonprofit work
• Integrate community perspectives - individual, family, and community views into assessment of needs and services as well as policy and advocacy initiatives
• Geographic focus - Must serve the 13-parish Greater New Orleans region

Strategic Fit: The foundation prioritises organisations aligned with their six programme areas and their commitment to Philanthropy's Promise. According to CEO Andy Kopplin's statements, the foundation values organisations that "dare to take action" on climate, equity, and community challenges, and those creating "equitable and inclusive" solutions for all New Orleanians.

Application Quality:

• Provide measurable objectives and clear timelines
• Demonstrate organisational capacity to deliver the programme
• Show how you will measure impact and reach your target population
• Include specific numbers for people to be served
• Be specific about strategies and implementation plans

Recent Grant Examples (demonstrating funding patterns):

• Racial Equity: Greater Together Fund for Racial Equity recipients
• LGBTQ Community: Multiple nonprofits funded through LGBTQ Fund ($100,000 total)
• Disaster Response: Multiple nonprofits receiving disaster relief (Children's Bureau, New Orleans Family Justice Centre, Silence is Violence, Wake)
• Major Recipients (2021): Catholic Charities ($630,626), Tulane Educational Fund ($282,805), Academy of the Sacred Heart Foundation ($246,674), Bridge House ($239,076), Children's Hospital ($235,026)

Process Tips:

• Watch the Foundant tutorial video before starting your application
• Submit electronically - paper applications may not be considered
• Contact grants@gnof.org with questions before the deadline
• Prepare for potential site visit if selected for final review
• Ensure your fiscal agent relationship is clearly documented (if applicable)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Community Foundation Model: GNOF manages 1,100+ funds, so investigate whether specific funds align with your mission beyond general IMPACT grants
• Equity Commitment: The foundation has committed to allocating the majority of grantmaking to marginalised communities and at least 25% to social justice strategies - applications should clearly demonstrate how they advance equity
• Advocacy Valued: Unlike some funders, GNOF explicitly prioritises advocacy, community organising, and civic engagement work - don't shy away from highlighting policy work
• Geographic Specificity: Ensure you clearly serve one or more of the 13 parishes (Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington)
• Site Visits Matter: The two-step process includes site visits for finalists - be prepared to demonstrate your work in action
• IMPACT Programme Redesign: With programme relaunches, pay close attention to updated strategy and priorities when announced
• Multiple Funding Streams: Beyond IMPACT, explore special funding opportunities (Kahn Oppenheim Trust, Harold W. Newman Trust, etc.) and other named funds that may align with your specific mission

References

1. Greater New Orleans Foundation Official Website. https://www.gnof.org/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

2. "Grant Opportunities | Greater New Orleans Foundation." https://www.gnof.org/nonprofits/grants/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

3. "IMPACT | Greater New Orleans Foundation." https://www.gnof.org/program/impact/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

4. "IMPACT Special Funding Opportunities | Greater New Orleans Foundation." https://www.gnof.org/program/impact-special-funding-opportunities/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

5. "The Greater New Orleans Foundation | New Orleans, LA | Cause IQ." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-greater-new-orleans-foundation,720408921/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

6. "Charity Navigator - Rating for The Greater New Orleans Foundation." https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/720408921. Accessed December 27, 2025.

7. "Greater New Orleans Foundation Names Andrew D. Kopplin New President & CEO." https://www.gnof.org/greater-new-orleans-foundation-names-andrew-d-kopplin-new-president-ceo/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

8. "Board and Staff | Greater New Orleans Foundation." https://www.gnof.org/who-we-are/board-and-staff/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

9. "Our Region | Greater New Orleans Foundation." https://www.gnof.org/who-we-are/our-region/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

10. "Congratulations to the Greater New Orleans Foundation's LGBTQ Fund Grant Recipients!" https://www.gnof.org/gnof-2025-lgbtqfund-grant-recipients/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

11. "Greater New Orleans Foundation Announces Distribution of New Year's Day Tragedy Fund Grants." https://www.gnof.org/foundation-announces-distribution-of-nydtragedyfund-grants/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

12. "Greater New Orleans Foundation - InfluenceWatch." https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/greater-new-orleans-foundation/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

13. "The Greater New Orleans Foundation Audits of Combined Financial Statements." https://www.gnof.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/122024-GNOF-AFS.pdf. Accessed December 27, 2025.

14. "Andy Kopplin | Greater New Orleans Foundation." https://www.gnof.org/board-and-staff/andrew-kopplin/. Accessed December 27, 2025.

15. "Urban Water @ 10 Initiative Celebrates a Decade of the Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan." https://www.gnof.org/urban-water-10-initiative-celebrates-a-decade-of-the-greater-new-orleans-urban-water-plan-looks-ahead-to-the-future/. Accessed December 27, 2025.