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Edward G. Schlieder Educational Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$50K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.86 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Estimated $50,000 - $500,000+ (based on project types)
  • Geographic Focus: Louisiana only
  • Total Assets: $64.2 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 201 St Charles Avenue Suite 2508, New Orleans, LA 70170

Phone: (504) 599-5950

Contact: Robert Edgecombe, Executive Secretary/Consultant

Website: No official website available

Overview

The Edward G. Schlieder Educational Foundation was established in 1945 to support educational institutions in Louisiana, with a particular focus on institutions involved in biomedical research. As of 2024, the foundation holds assets of $64.2 million and distributed $3.86 million in charitable grants. The foundation operates as a private foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and has been tax-exempt since July 1951. Over the decades, the foundation has made significant investments in Louisiana's educational infrastructure, including establishing multiple endowed chairs at Tulane University in medical specialties such as biostatistics, medical oncology, pediatric cardiology, surgical oncology, and pulmonary diseases. The foundation demonstrates a strategic focus on enhancing educational capacity through capital projects and sustained academic positions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not appear to have formal, named grant programs with published guidelines. Based on documented grants, the foundation supports:

  • Major Capital Projects: Nursing simulation laboratories, science lab modernization, music recital halls (grants typically ranging from $100,000 to $500,000+)
  • Endowed Chairs: Multi-million dollar endowments for academic positions at universities
  • Educational Infrastructure: Richardson Memorial Centers and other facilities supporting educational missions
  • Scholarship Programs: Support for initiatives like Posse New Orleans

The foundation made 14 grants in 2022 totaling $4,359,600, 13 grants in 2021, and 15 grants in 2020, indicating relatively selective grantmaking with substantial award amounts (averaging approximately $311,400 per grant in 2022).

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Educational institutions in Louisiana
  • Biomedical research and healthcare education
  • Capital improvements to educational facilities
  • Medical education infrastructure (nursing, medical schools)
  • Academic endowments and positions

Known Recipients:

  • Tulane University (multiple endowed chairs including the Edward G. Schlieder Chair in Biostatistics established 2009, Chair in Medical Oncology 1992, Chair in Pediatric Cardiology 1996, Chair in Surgical Oncology 2001, and Chair of Pulmonary Diseases 1984)
  • Loyola University New Orleans (Loyola Ochsner Nursing Simulation Lab, part of $1.9 million project, 2022)
  • Baptist Community Ministries
  • RosaMary Foundation
  • Posse New Orleans (supported the 2011 launch)

What They Don't Fund

Based on their demonstrated focus:

  • Organizations outside Louisiana
  • Non-educational institutions
  • Individual scholarships (only institutional scholarship programs)
  • Programs unrelated to educational infrastructure or biomedical research
  • Operating expenses (focus appears to be on capital projects and endowments)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

  • Elizabeth S. Nalty: Director & President (unpaid position)
  • Laura S. Shields: Director & Treasurer (unpaid position)

Staff:

  • Robert E. Edgecombe: Executive Secretary/Consultant (compensated $90,000 in 2024)

The foundation operates with a small board of unpaid directors and minimal administrative staff, maintaining low overhead costs. The board manages assets of $64.2 million primarily through investment income (dividends and sales of assets), which generated $14.8 million in revenue in 2024.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not appear to have a public application process. There is no official website, published application guidelines, or formal request for proposal process. The foundation operates as a private foundation making grants through trustee discretion.

Grant awards appear to be made based on:

  • Pre-existing relationships with Louisiana educational institutions
  • Board-initiated funding priorities
  • Invitations to specific institutions for particular projects

The foundation's giving history shows a pattern of sustained support to major Louisiana educational institutions, particularly those with medical schools and biomedical research programs.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a private foundation without a formal application cycle, decision timelines are determined at the discretion of the board of directors.

Success Rates

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations seeking funding should note:

Alignment is Critical:

  • Must be a Louisiana educational institution
  • Strong preference for biomedical research and healthcare education
  • Track record shows support for capital projects that enhance educational capacity
  • Preference for established institutions with significant academic programs

Foundation Priorities Based on Giving History:

  • Major institutional partnerships: The foundation has established multiple endowed chairs at Tulane University across medical specialties, indicating a preference for transformative, long-term investments
  • Healthcare education infrastructure: Recent support for the Loyola Ochsner Nursing Simulation Lab demonstrates continued interest in state-of-the-art educational facilities
  • Interdisciplinary impact: Projects funded include nursing simulation labs, science lab modernization, and music recital halls, showing support across educational disciplines while maintaining focus on health sciences

Building Relationships: Given the foundation's approach, Louisiana educational institutions should:

  • Develop relationships through existing funded institutions that have successful partnerships with the foundation
  • Ensure board connections or leadership awareness before pursuing funding
  • Present projects that align with the foundation's documented history of supporting capital improvements and endowed positions
  • Demonstrate how the project advances biomedical research or healthcare education in Louisiana

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This is a private foundation making grants through trustee discretion, not through competitive applications
  • Louisiana institutions only: Geographic restriction is firm; only Louisiana educational institutions are eligible
  • Biomedical research priority: Strong preference for institutions and projects involved in biomedical research and healthcare education
  • Capital and endowment focus: Giving history emphasizes physical infrastructure (labs, facilities) and endowed academic positions rather than programmatic support
  • Substantial grant sizes: With an average of approximately $311,400 per grant (2022), the foundation makes fewer but larger awards
  • Long-term partnerships: Evidence of sustained support to institutions like Tulane suggests the foundation values ongoing relationships
  • Relationship-driven: Organizations should focus on building board awareness and institutional connections rather than submitting unsolicited proposals

References

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