IMPACT

Greater New Orleans Foundation Evaluates IMPACT Grantmaking Program

In 2017 the Foundation redesigned its IMPACT Grants Program to include opportunities for operational support and multiple year investments. Through this strategy, we aimed to give organizations what they need most—time to make an impact and the unrestricted dollars needed to do so. Over the years we have worked to continuously improve the model with valuable input from our nonprofit partners, members of the grants committee, and our colleagues in the field.  We feel the most recent redesign has allowed us to have an even greater impact.

In the spirit of continual improvement, the Foundation believes it is time to again revisit how it makes grants through the IMPACT program. This year the Foundation will undertake an evaluation of the last five years of grantmaking. This is a year of transition and no new IMPACT grants will be awarded in 2023. This does not mean that no IMPACT grants will be made in 2023. Organizations eligible for IMPACT renewals have been approved in 2023 and will be eligible again in 2024.

The Foundation’s special funding grantmaking categories are not impacted by this decision and will open on July 12, 2023. These programs include the Kahn Oppenheim Trust, Harold W. Newman Trust, Gulf States Eye Surgery Fund, and Michael R. Boh Fund.

The Foundation plans to announce an updated strategy and release an RFP for new organizations to apply for IMPACT funding across the five categories in spring 2024.

What does this mean for IMPACT 2023?

• The Foundation will accept new applications for the Kahn Oppenheim Trust, Harold W. Newman Trust, Gulf States Eye Surgery Fund, and Michael R. Boh Fund
• Organizations with general operating IMPACT grants approved in 2021 have been evaluated for their first renewals. These organizations will be eligible for a second renewal in 2024.
• Organizations with general operating IMPACT grants approved in 2022 will be eligible for renewals in 2024 and 2025.
• The Foundation will not accept new applications for IMPACT grants in 2023.
• The Foundation will release a new RFP process and make new grants in 2024.

The Foundation offers free access to Foundation Directory Online, an extensive online database that grantseekers can use to research and identify prospective funders and funding opportunities.

You can access the database, for free, at the Foundation – 919 St. Charles Avenue. The database is only accessible in person. You can reserve a time to search here.

Special Funding Opportunities

Harold W. Newman, Jr. Charitable Trust – Funding for organizations that provide health care assistance to residents of New Orleans whose U.S. adjusted gross income for the preceding tax year, when added to any tax-exempt income and income from a spouse for that same year, is at least $75,000 but not more than $200,000. The health care assistance must be for cancer, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s. 

Kahn-Oppenheim Trust – Funding for the development and/or improvement of public health outreach and education programs to inform people about ways to prevent diseases like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, HIV/AIDS, and others, insofar as these programs involve physical, nutritional, or dietary regimens. 

Gulf States Eye Surgery Fund – Funding for organizations that defray the expenses of poor or indigent patients requiring or receiving eye surgery, care, or treatment. 

Michael R. Boh Fund – Funding for organizations that help children and their families who have been rejected by the institutions that most children rely on for their development.

How to Apply for Funding 

Note: All grant applicants will need to create an account using our online system to apply. Basic information will be stored for future use when new applications are submitted. We have a simple two-step process: 

1. Use our online portal to submit an application along with all attachments by 11:59 pm (CT) on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
2. GNOF program staff will review all applications and will contact those organizations that are selected for a site visit.

Awards are expected to be announced in November 2023.

Still Have Questions?

If you have a question, please e-mail your question to grants@gnof.org (please put “IMPACT Question” in the subject line).