Our History

Over a quarter-century ago, leaders of the Community Chest of New Orleans, an organization dating back to 1923, looked around and saw challenges and opportunity. “The need for private funds for the maintenance of community life in New Orleans has dramatically increased,” they said. They worried that, along with rapid development, the region might face “problems of unprecedented magnitude” better addressed by a full-fledged community foundation.

Now, more than 25 years later, it’s an understatement to call those words visionary. Thanks to the founders of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, and to countless supporters since, the future of philanthropy in our community is bright. When the Foundation opened its doors in 1983 with nearly $4 million in assets, it would have surprised even its strongest supporters to know that those assets would grow to $170 million and that the Foundation would become the region’s leader in promoting the power of philanthropy.

These qualities were called upon in unprecedented ways in 2005 when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the region. The greatest challenge of the Foundation’s short lifetime had arrived, and long-time supporters as well as new ones from around the world responded.

Since the storms, the Foundation has played a key role in the recovery of the region, coordinating efforts with national and local foundations, and state and city officials to support the Unified New Orleans Plan, an effort that made possible the release of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid to the city. Our leadership continues with initiatives in areas that will determine the future of the region: housing, education, the environment, workforce development, and others.

From these visionary beginnings, the Greater New Orleans Foundation continues to fulfill its mission by responding to the community’s ever-changing needs.