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The RosaMary Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

The RosaMary Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,965,592 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Board meets twice yearly (decisions made at these meetings)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $125,000 (typical range)
  • Geographic Focus: Greater New Orleans area, Louisiana
  • Assets: $39,577,240

Contact Details

Address: RosaMary Foundation, c/o CAPTRUST, 1100 Poydras Street, Suite 1350, New Orleans, LA 70163

Telephone: 504-207-8541

Fax: 504-207-8525

Email: Admin@RosaMary.org

Website: www.rosamary.org

EIN: 72-6024696

Overview

The RosaMary Foundation was established in 1939 by Alfred B. Freeman under Louisiana law as a Charitable Trust, making it one of the early family foundations to operate in the United States. Named in honor of Freeman's two daughters, Rosa and Mary, the foundation continues to be governed by descendants of A.B. Freeman and Ella West Freeman, now representing the third and fourth generations of family members serving as trustees. With assets of approximately $39.6 million, the foundation awarded $2,965,592 in grants in 2023, focusing exclusively on supporting nonprofit organizations in the Greater New Orleans area. The foundation prioritizes projects that contribute to building a "successful and vibrant city," with highest priority given to education, human services, arts (both performing and applied), community development activities, and governmental oversight.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program with twice-yearly application deadlines:

  • Stage 1 Application Deadlines: January 15 and July 15 at midnight
  • Stage 2 Application Deadlines: February 22 and August 22 at midnight (by invitation only)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $125,000 (most common range), with typical awards of $92,000 - $100,000
  • Application Method: Two-stage online application process

Priority Areas

Highest Priority (Primary Focus Areas):

  • Education: Emphasis on private institutions
  • Human Service Organizations: Supporting vulnerable populations and community needs
  • Arts: Both performing arts and applied arts programs
  • Community Development Activities: Projects that strengthen neighborhoods and civic infrastructure
  • Governmental Oversight Activities: Programs that promote accountability and good governance

Additional Supported Areas:

  • Arts and culture programs
  • Health initiatives
  • Public affairs
  • Community and economic development
  • Housing development

Geographic Restriction: Primary consideration given to organizations whose operations are conducted in the Greater New Orleans area

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Strictly religious purposes
  • Fundraising events (the Foundation does not purchase tickets nor participate in galas)
  • Organizations outside the Greater New Orleans area (rare exceptions may apply)
  • Year-after-year operational funding (rare, occasional basis only)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by a board of trustees, all of whom serve without compensation:

  • Andrew B. Wisdom (Chairman) - Fifth chairman of the RosaMary Foundation and great-grandson of founder Alfred Bird Freeman
  • Luis C. Zervigon (Secretary)
  • Mary Beth Benjamin
  • Louis M. Freeman, Jr.
  • Adair Parr
  • Matthew Wisdom
  • Olivia Woollam
  • Carlos L. Zervigon
  • Miles Zervigon

The board represents the third and fourth generations of descendants of A.B. Freeman and Ella West Freeman. During World War II, some trustees temporarily resigned from service, demonstrating the foundation's long and adaptive history.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The RosaMary Foundation uses a two-stage online application process:

Stage 1: Initial Proposal

  • Deadlines: January 15 or July 15 at midnight
  • Format: Online submission only (no hard copy submissions accepted)
  • Notification: Email notification by February 7 or August 7
  • Important: The Foundation will not consider another application from your organization in the same calendar year

Stage 2: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

  • Deadlines: February 22 or August 22 at midnight
  • Format: Online submission with specific instructions provided
  • Types: Different application tracks for:
    • Programmatic/Operating Support
    • Capital Support (Buildings, Equipment, Endowment)

Application Requirements:

  • 501(c)3 tax-exempt status required
  • Organization must operate primarily in Greater New Orleans area
  • No in-person presentations allowed

Decision Timeline

  • Board Meetings: Held twice annually to make grant decisions
  • Review Process: Each proposal is assigned to a board member who provides a preliminary recommendation, may contact the organization with questions, and potentially conducts site visits
  • Interviews: Conducted only at the invitation of the Foundation
  • Notification: Timing not publicly specified, but tied to board meeting schedule

Total Timeline Estimate: Approximately 2-4 months from Stage 1 submission to final decision (January submission could result in decision by spring; July submission could result in decision by fall)

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or the number of applications received versus awarded. However, with annual giving of approximately $3 million distributed across multiple grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $125,000, the foundation likely makes 20-40 grants per year.

Reapplication Policy

Within Same Year: The Foundation explicitly states it "will not consider another application from your organization in the same calendar year."

After Rejection: The foundation does not publicly specify a waiting period for unsuccessful applicants to reapply in subsequent years. Organizations should consider reapplying in a future funding cycle if their project aligns with foundation priorities.

Application Success Factors

For Capital Projects

The foundation has specific expectations for capital grant requests:

  1. Operating Stability: Capital projects require "a history of operating stability" - demonstrate your organization's track record
  2. Financial Capacity: Must show "adequate financial capacity to maintain the new facilities" - include maintenance budgets and sustainability plans
  3. Broad Private Sector Support: Capital grants require "evidence of broad support from the private sector" - demonstrate diverse funding sources and community buy-in
  4. Contingent Funding: Capital grants are "usually made contingent to construct the project" - understand the foundation may use matching or challenge grant structures

For Operational Support

  1. Exceptional Basis: The foundation funds general operating support "on a rare, but occasional basis" - operational requests face higher scrutiny
  2. Broad Support Required: Operational support requires "broad support from the private sector" - show diverse funding base
  3. Short-term Focus: The foundation "prefers to fund short-term and multi-year requests" for operational support rather than indefinite ongoing funding
  4. Strategic Preference: Operational support is given "rarely" - programmatic grants are strongly preferred

General Success Factors

  1. Geographic Alignment: "Primary consideration will be given to those organizations whose operations are conducted in the Greater New Orleans area" - emphasize your local presence and impact
  2. Mission Alignment: Projects that contribute to a "successful and vibrant city" - frame proposals around community benefit
  3. Board Review Process: Each proposal is assigned to a board member - ensure your application is clear and compelling for a single reader who will champion it
  4. No Presentations: "No in-person presentations" - your written application must stand alone
  5. Two-Stage Process: Getting past Stage 1 is crucial - make your initial proposal compelling enough to warrant a full proposal invitation

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on Greater New Orleans: This is a strictly local funder - your organization must operate in the Greater New Orleans area to be competitive
  • Prioritize Education, Human Services, and Arts: These are the foundation's highest priorities, followed by community development and governmental oversight
  • Capital Projects Need Broad Support: If requesting capital funding, demonstrate diverse funding sources and community buy-in before applying
  • Operational Funding is Rare: Don't request general operating support unless your case is exceptionally strong; programmatic grants are preferred
  • One Shot Per Year: You can only apply once per calendar year, so choose your timing and project carefully
  • Two-Stage Process: Invest time in a strong Stage 1 application - only invited organizations can submit full proposals
  • Family Foundation Values: As an 85-year-old family foundation now in its fourth generation of leadership, demonstrate how your project aligns with long-term community building and civic responsibility
  • No Fundraising Events: Don't invite foundation staff or trustees to galas or fundraising events - they don't participate in these activities

References

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