Coastal Communities Fund

FAQs – Coastal Communities Fund

The Coastal Communities Fund was established at the Greater New Orleans Foundation as a result of a gift from an anonymous donor to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The donor established the $25 million Fund for Gulf Communities to assist people in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas who are still struggling to recover from the 2010 April Gulf Coast oil spill.

One of six regional organizations, the Greater New Orleans Foundation will grant $5 million to nonprofit organizations providing services to distressed residents within Louisiana’s coastal communities.

Q: What geographic areas does the Coastal  Communities Fund cover?
A: The Coastal Communities Fund will serve the following parishes: Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, Terrebonne, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist.

Q: What’s the funding focus?
A: Mental health and wellness, social services and financial stability, and youth resiliency.

Q: How do I apply for a grant?
A: Funding from the Coastal Communities Fund is by invitation only from the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Funding is going to organizations that have demonstrated the skills to provide critical services to those directly affected by the circumstances in the Gulf region.

Q: What are the goals of the Coastal Communities Fund?
A: The Coastal Communities Fund aims to assist people in the coastal communities struggling to recover from the April 2010 BP oil spill disaster. The Fund will ensure that community and social-service groups have what they need to help individuals and families return to the financial, emotional, and physical stability required to rebuild a healthy, self-sufficient community.

In addition to meeting the immediate needs of residents, the Fund aspires to build greater community resiliency by permanently strengthening the nonprofit institutions that provide important and sustained community services.

Q: Are there any other grantmaking cycle funding opportunities available?
A: Yes. The Foundation will issue applications in mid-July for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.

Please sign-up for GNOF’s newsletter to be notified of the upcoming application process.