Why did Open Society Foundations (OSF) begin to invest strategically in New Orleans?
Starting over a decade ago, the Open Society Foundations’ U.S. Programs focused primarily on supporting efforts to reform Louisiana’s broken criminal justice system. The devastation caused by the failure of the levees that followed Hurricane Katrina was an opportunity to examine Open Society Foundations’ most immediate concerns and to see the opportunity in the wake of this crisis to affect the shaping of rebuilding efforts. Katrina was not just a humanitarian crisis but a revelation of the consequences of underinvestment in infrastructure and social welfare in the Gulf Region, revealing to the rest of the nation and the world how much of an unequal society we live in. The racial and class divisions that determine life and death opportunities in this country have been recognized throughout our ongoing and former U.S. work in criminal justice reform, racial justice, women’s and immigrants’ rights, transparency and government accountability, social justice fellowships, and the work of our Baltimore office. Katrina brought our issues and the fissures they create in our society to the forefront of the public’s attention thereby providing us with new-found opportunities to impact and affect rebuilding in ways that foster a more equitable and democratic society.
What do you hope to accomplish with the Transform New Orleans Fund?
The Fund is a way to shine the spotlight on some of the success stories from New Orleans over the last five years. It lets people know that New Orleans is not forgotten, five years later, and that amidst the many other challenges in the nation – New Orleans still needs our collective support. We hope it will encourage new donors to join us in supporting advocacy to build a vibrant New Orleans that provides opportunity for all residents and preserves its rich cultural heritage. There is still a tremendous amount of work to be done and this fundraising campaign invests in a number of inspiring, locally-led organizations that are determined to transform New Orleans. We are grateful for our partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation in hosting this fund and we will continue to work with GNOF and other donors to advance a more equitable society in New Orleans.
What does OSF aim to accomplish by continuing its investment in our region?
Our long-term work in New Orleans aims to empower New Orleanians to build a better, stronger New Orleans. This work focuses in particular on criminal justice reform, government transparency and accountability, strategies that will advance positive outcomes for black males, and support for art and cultural institutions that play a critical role in advancing social change.
What impresses you about New Orleans?
I love the passion, determination and spirit of New Orleaneans who in the face of enormous challenges—first Katrina, and now the impact of the BP oil disaster—have displayed admirable resiliency. I have a great respect for the many people and organizations that I have come to know over the years of our work there. It is a great city with a big heart and I am excited by the solutions that its citizens are developing that can offer models for advocates around the nation and the world.
Change From Within
Change from Within is a video produced by the Open Society Foundations on the occasion of the fifth anniversary. It showcases the works of several nonprofits including Silence is Violence and the Orleans Public Defenders.
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of Katrina, the Open Society Foundations partnered with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to open the Transform New Orleans Fund to benefit local nonprofits.
