Goldring Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $10,337,855 (2023)
Total Assets: $135 million
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $100 - $500,000
Median Grant: $3,000
Average Grant: $23,500
Geographic Focus: Greater New Orleans area

Contact Details

Website: www.goldringfoundation.com
Phone: (504) 988-9108
Address: 524 Metairie Road, Metairie, Louisiana 70005
Application Portal: Grant Interface system at grantinterface.com

Overview

The Goldring Family Foundation was established in 1955 (some sources indicate 1957) by the Goldring family, which includes chairman of the Sazerac Company, William A. Goldring. The foundation holds approximately $135 million in assets and distributed $10,337,855 in grants during 2023 across 274 awards. Rooted in the Jewish tradition and committed to democratic values and social justice, the foundation champions equality, diversity, community, education, healthcare, culture and the arts, Jewish causes, and economic development. Almost all of the Goldring Family Foundation's considerable giving is directed at the Greater New Orleans area, reflecting the family's deep commitment to preserving and enhancing the cultural fabric of New Orleans.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a Letter of Inquiry system with the following characteristics:

Grant Range: $100 to $500,000
Median Grant Size: $3,000
Average Grant Size: $23,500
Total Grants Made Annually: Approximately 321 grants (based on recent data)
Application Method: Letter of Inquiry submitted through online portal (grantinterface.com)

Priority Areas

The foundation funds nonprofits across seven primary areas in the Greater New Orleans region:

Jewish Causes (largest funding category - approximately 51% of total giving)
Education/Recreation & Opportunities for Children (approximately 27% of total giving)
Arts & Culture (approximately 14% of total giving)
Health
Human Services
Civil Affairs
Animals & Environment

2023 Grant Distribution by Category

According to their 2023 tax filing:

Jewish Causes: $5,257,600
Education/Recreation/Children: $2,831,593
Arts & Culture: $1,486,162
Health: $762,500

Recent Major Grant Recipients

Notable grants from 2022 include:

National WWII Museum Inc.: $500,000
Tulane University: $425,000 (two separate grants)
Friends of Ir David Inc.: $500,000

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the foundation's geographic focus is clearly limited to the Greater New Orleans area.

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

William A. Goldring - Chair
Jeffrey B. Goldring - Trustee
Diane G. Franco - Trustee
Several advisors and officers (all serve without compensation)

Leadership Philosophy

William A. Goldring has been deeply involved in New Orleans philanthropy for decades. His approach to giving is thoughtful and community-focused:

On the challenge of grant-making: "Running a foundation wisely is probably tougher than running a business... But giving it away and giving the right amounts is very tough."

On his family's philanthropic values: In a letter written to Bill Goldring on his 21st birthday, his parents wrote: "Intelligent use of wealth can bring power and happiness, not only to you, but to many. As you get older, you must serve your community; give time as well as money."

On the purpose of philanthropy: "Ideas need resources. They need gas to run the engine. The important thing to me is preserving that culture, bringing people into it. That's why we're so involved in our foundation, in things that bring people together."

William Goldring has served on the board of Tulane University for over 26 years and also sits on the board of trustees for the National WWII Museum, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to long-term relationships with key New Orleans institutions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Goldring Family Foundation uses a two-stage application process:

Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Prospective applicants begin by completing a Letter of Inquiry through the foundation's online portal at grantinterface.com. The LOI provides the foundation with general details about your organization.
Full Application: Organizations invited to submit a full application will be contacted by the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines and notification procedures are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for information about review schedules.

Success Rates

With 274 awards made in 2023 (and growing to 359 in some reports for 2024), the foundation maintains an active grant-making program. However, specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not publish detailed application guidelines, research into their funding patterns reveals several key factors:

Geographic Alignment is Critical

Almost all funding is directed to Greater New Orleans area organizations. Organizations outside this geographic region are unlikely to receive funding.

Priority Category Alignment

Review the foundation's funding distribution to understand where resources are concentrated. Jewish Causes receive over half of total funding, followed by Education/Recreation/Children and Arts & Culture.

Relationship Building Matters

The foundation's leadership, particularly William Goldring, maintains long-term board relationships with major grant recipients like Tulane University and the National WWII Museum. This suggests that established relationships and demonstrated impact in the New Orleans community are valued.

Mission Alignment with Foundation Values

The foundation is "rooted in the Jewish tradition and committed to democratic values and social justice, including fairness, diversity, and community." Applications that demonstrate how your work advances these values in the Greater New Orleans area may be more competitive.

Project-Based vs. Operating Support

With a median grant of $3,000 but grants ranging up to $500,000, the foundation appears to fund both small project-based grants and larger institutional support for major organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic focus is absolute: Only Greater New Orleans area nonprofits should apply
Jewish causes receive the lion's share: Over 50% of grants support Jewish organizations and causes
Grant sizes vary dramatically: Be realistic about request size - median grant is $3,000, though major institutions can receive six-figure grants
Start with a Letter of Inquiry: Use the LOI as an opportunity to clearly and concisely present your organization's alignment with foundation priorities
Long-term relationships matter: The foundation maintains ongoing relationships with key institutions like Tulane and the National WWII Museum
Community impact is central: Frame your work in terms of how it strengthens the New Orleans community and brings people together
Values alignment is key: Emphasize how your work advances social justice, equality, diversity, and community building in New Orleans

References

Research conducted December 22, 2025.