The Greater New Orleans Foundation is the community foundation serving the 13-parish region of metropolitan New Orleans.

WE DO OUR WORK BY:

Designing and leading
initiatives to improve the region.

Connecting donors to
community needs.

Identifying and supporting
great nonprofit organizations.

Strengthening civil society.

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June 2008

Ellen M. Lee Named Interim President & CEO at GNOF

imageEllen M. Lee has been named Interim President & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation effective July 1.

Lee is currently Senior Vice President of Programs at the Foundation. Prior to joining GNOF, Lee served as Assistant Director for the Disaster Recovery Unit for the State of Louisiana’s Office of Community Development. The DRU was responsible for the administration of $13 billion in federal funds for disaster recovery programs. Before working for the state, Ellen served as the Deputy Executive Assistant for Neighborhood Development for the City of New Orleans. In that job, she oversaw the administrations of $30 million in federal, state and local funds to address housing and community development needs.

Lee replaces Gregory Ben Johnson, who served as the Foundation’s leader from 1983 to 2008. Under Johnson’s leadership, the Foundation’s assets grew to its current $190 million. Johnson strengthened the Foundation’s leadership role in such community issues as housing, education, workforce development and rural and regional initiatives.

GNOF has formed an executive search committee and is working with executive search firm Spencer Stuart. An announcement of the new president and CEO is expected in the next several months.

GNOF Contributes $100,000 to Presidential Debate Fund

imageThe Greater New Orleans Foundation has contributed $100,000 to the Presidential Debate Fund. The New Orleans Consortium has invited Senators John McCain and Barack Obama to debate in New Orleans on Sept. 18. Invitations were extended to both candidates and we are awaiting confirmation. The debate will be held at the Morial Convention Center.

Google and YouTube have agreed to use their technological expertise to help drive citizen engagement in the proposed debate. New Orleans Consortium members include Women of the Storm and GNOF, Dillard University, Loyola University, Tulane University and Xavier University. The consortium is committed to advancing education in the New Orleans community and to continue to provide public exposure to all the rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast region.

Community Revitalization Fund Awards Five Grants Totaling $2.6 Million

imageThe Community Revitalization Fund has awarded five new grants totaling $2,650,000. Administered through the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the CRF was launched last fall to help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina by making grants to organizations that are strengthening the affordable housing sector. So far, $15 million has been secured from 16 philanthropic foundations for the fund. The CRF will continue raising funds with plans to invest $25 million in housing over the next five years. The CRF is currently accepting grant proposals from entities engaged in housing development and recovery.