Keller Family Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $940,125 (2023)
Total Assets: $20.1 million (2024)
Grant Range: $250 - $50,000
Number of Grants: 65-76 annually
Decision Time: 2-3 months (semi-annual cycle)
Geographic Focus: New Orleans and surrounding communities
EIN: 72-6027426

Contact Details

Address: c/o Crescent Capital Consulting, LLC, 1100 Poydras Street, Suite 1350, New Orleans, LA 70163

Foundation Administrator: Toni Myers
Phone: 504-207-8541
Website: https://www.kellerfamilyfoundation.org/

Application Portal: Online application system (accessible through website)

Overview

The Keller Family Foundation was originally established as the Lincoln Foundation in 1949 by Charles Keller, Jr. and Rosa Freeman Keller with an initial endowment of just 10 shares of Coca-Cola Company stock. As prominent civic activists from the 1940s through the 1990s, the Kellers were passionate advocates for civil rights, working to secure affordable housing for African American communities and integrate public facilities like libraries and swimming pools in New Orleans. Rosa Keller notably funded legal representation for students seeking to integrate Tulane University and invested in the Pontchartrain Park neighborhood to demonstrate that middle-class African Americans presented no financial risk to lenders. Today, with total assets of approximately $20.1 million, the foundation continues this legacy of community improvement through its grantmaking, now led by third and fourth-generation Keller descendants who serve on the Board of Trustees. The foundation's operations are managed by Crescent Capital Consulting, LLC.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single competitive grant program with a semi-annual awards cycle:

General Grants: $250 - $50,000 (most awards fall within this range)
Application Method: Two-stage online application process
Review Schedule: Semi-annual trustee meetings in April and November
Stage 1 Deadlines: February 10 (spring cycle) and August 15 (fall cycle)
Stage 2 Deadlines: March 31 (spring cycle) and September 20 (fall cycle)
Approximately 65-76 grants awarded annually

Priority Areas

The foundation's current Board of Trustees has keen interests in:

Education - The largest portion of recent grants support local education initiatives
Youth Development - A majority of recent grants support youth development causes
Human Services - Supporting social service organizations in the Greater New Orleans region
Civic Affairs/Public Affairs - Continuing the founders' legacy of civic engagement

Geographic Focus: Funding almost always stays in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding communities. Applications from organizations outside the New Orleans area will be considered only if at least one of the foundation's trustees has extensive knowledge of the organization.

Eligible Applicants:

501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organizations
Government agencies

What They Don't Fund

Individual scholarships or education financing
Purely religious purposes
Ticket purchases or fundraising events

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of third and fourth-generation descendants of founders Charles Keller, Jr. and Rosa Freeman Keller. All trustees serve without compensation.

Current Board of Trustees (as of 2024 Form 990):

Luis C. Zervigon - President and Trustee (also serves as Treasurer of the RosaMary Foundation)
Carlos L. Zervigon - Secretary
Andres M. Zervigon - Director
Eli A. Zervigon - Director
Thomas K. Loughlin - Director

Foundation Administrator: Toni Myers (managed by Crescent Capital Consulting, LLC)

The foundation relies upon the judgment of the trustees to determine the most critical needs of the region, and with each change in membership of the Board of Trustees, the foundation's direction and priorities evolve to reflect the input and priorities of new members.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a two-stage online application process:

Stage 1 - Letter of Inquiry:

Deadline: February 10 (for spring meeting) or August 15 (for fall meeting)
Submit through online application portal only
No documents uploaded at this stage
Organizations selected to advance will be notified by March 1 or September 3

Stage 2 - Full Proposal (by invitation only):

Deadline: March 31 (for spring meeting) or September 20 (for fall meeting)
Complete proposal submitted through online portal
Only organizations invited to Stage 2 may submit full proposals

Important Guidelines:

Review the Grant Proposal Guidelines and Checklist document before starting your application (available on website)
Interviews are conducted only by foundation invitation
The foundation will not consider another application from your organization in the same calendar year (limiting organizations to one application per year)

Decision Timeline

Stage 1 Notification: Early March (spring cycle) or early September (fall cycle)
Trustee Meetings: April and November
Final Decisions: Following trustee meetings (approximately 2-3 months from Stage 1 deadline)
Notification Method: Written notification for all applicants, successful and unsuccessful

Success Rates

Based on available data:

Approximately 65-76 grants awarded annually
Total annual giving approximately $940,000-$950,000
Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed
The foundation notes through related sources that they cannot fund every worthy application

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit only one application per calendar year
Specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants reapplying in subsequent years are not publicly stated
The single-application-per-year rule suggests organizations should wait until the following calendar year to reapply

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and funding patterns:

Geographic Alignment is Critical:

Organizations based in New Orleans and surrounding communities have the strongest chance of success
Outside organizations need a trustee with "extensive knowledge" of their work to be considered
The foundation's mission is "focused clearly on those issues the Trustees see as most critical for our region"

Focus on Education and Youth:

"A majority of the grants in recent cycles have been supporting education and youth development causes"
"The largest KFF grants have been supporting local education and youth development efforts"
Projects in these areas align with current trustee priorities

Examples of Funded Projects:

Dillard University: $20,000 for installation of refillable water stations (sustainability and innovation project)
The foundation has maintained an "ongoing partnership" with Dillard University, including previous projects like the Avenue of the Oaks

Continuing the Founders' Legacy:

Projects that advance equity, access, and community improvement resonate with the foundation's history
The Kellers' legacy of civil rights activism, affordable housing, and integration of public facilities suggests alignment with projects that promote social justice and community access

Review Guidelines Carefully:

The foundation explicitly states: "Before submitting a grant proposal, please be sure you meet the requirements detailed in the Grants section"
Check the Grant Proposal Guidelines and Checklist before beginning your application

Organizational Readiness:

Must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or a government agency
Should have clear project goals and measurable outcomes
Given the two-stage process, strong letters of inquiry that clearly articulate need and impact are essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Strong geographic focus: Organizations must be based in or primarily serve New Orleans and surrounding communities; outside organizations face significant barriers unless known to trustees
Education and youth development have the edge: Recent funding patterns show these areas receive the majority of grants - align your project clearly with these priorities
Two-stage process requires strategic approach: Your Stage 1 letter of inquiry must be compelling enough to advance to Stage 2; only invited organizations submit full proposals
One shot per year: Organizations can submit only one application per calendar year, so timing and project selection are critical
Historic mission informs current priorities: Projects that advance equity, access, and social justice align with the founders' civil rights legacy and current trustee values
Grant range flexibility: With grants from $250 to $50,000, the foundation funds both small and significant projects; tailor your request to project scope and organizational capacity
Relationship potential: The foundation notes "ongoing partnerships" with organizations like Dillard University, suggesting that successful grantees may receive multi-year support

References

Keller Family Foundation Official Website - https://www.kellerfamilyfoundation.org/ (accessed January 5, 2026)
Keller Family Foundation Grants Page - https://kellerfamilyfoundation.org/html/grants.html (accessed January 5, 2026)
Keller Family Foundation History Page - https://kellerfamilyfoundation.org/html/history.html (accessed January 5, 2026)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Keller Family Foundation Form 990 (EIN 72-6027426) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/726027426 (accessed January 5, 2026)
Inside Philanthropy - Keller Family Foundation Profile - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/louisiana-grants/keller-family-foundation-2 (accessed January 5, 2026)
Instrumentl - Keller Family Foundation 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/keller-family-foundation-1bb6d253-5aca-4b8f-bfeb-90aaedf4cd6a (accessed January 5, 2026)
Rosa Freeman Keller - New Orleans Historical - https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1631 (accessed January 5, 2026)
Rosa Keller - 64 Parishes - https://64parishes.org/entry/rosa-keller (accessed January 5, 2026)
Dillard University News - Keller Family Foundation Grant - https://www.dillard.edu/du-news/keller-family-foundation-grant/ (accessed January 5, 2026)
CAPTRUST - Luis C. Zervigon Profile - https://www.captrust.com/about-us/our-people/luis-zervigon/ (accessed January 5, 2026)