Step 3
Rising to the Challenge
Freeman Challenges grantees have 12 months to fundraise to meet their required match. Grantees receive technical assistance and peer-learning support throughout the fundraising year.
2023-2024 Freeman Challenges Cohort
Endowment Challenge
The Foundation for Terrebonne General Health System: Promotes the health and well-being of the citizens of South Louisiana regardless of socio-economic status, race, gender, age, or disability.
Goal: To raise $50,000 to be matched with $25,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Friends of Beauregard-Keyes House: Educates the public about the historical significance of BK House & Gardens, demonstrates the importance of historic preservation, and strives to raise community awareness of New Orleans cultural heritage.
Goal: To raise $150,000 to be matched with $75,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Youth Empowerment Project: Empowers young people to improve their lives and the lives of others.
Goal: To raise $150,000 to be matched with $75,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge
The Ella Project: Empowers creators to share their culture in a way that is just, equitable, and serves the artist, patron, and our diverse community.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for The Ella Project Board Reserve Challenge.
Innocence Project New Orleans: Frees innocent people sentenced to life in prison and those serving unjust sentences.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for Stand for Justice, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
Sankofa Community Development Corporation: Builds healthier communities for generations to come through a commitment to sustainable, health-centered development to revitalize the historic, primarily African American Lower Ninth Ward area of New Orleans using a model of equity and justice.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Sankofa CDC Board-Restricted Cash Reserve Campaign.
2021-2022 Grantees
Endowment Challenge
Educators for Quality Alternatives: Provides struggling students with the skills, confidence, and experiences necessary to succeed in the education and career paths of their choice.
Goal: To raise $100,000 to be matched with $50,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation: Cultivates and promotes Hispanic heritage within the New Orleans community and the greater region.
Goal: To raise $50,000 to be matched with $25,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR): Increases the reading skills and self-esteem of lower elementary school students.
Goal: To raise $50,000 to be matched with $25,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge
YAYA: Empowers creative young people through visual arts education combined with entrepreneurial, leadership, and life skills training.
Goal: To raise $20,000 to be matched with $10,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the YAYA Board Reserve Challenge.
Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation: Grows and supports entrepreneurs to tackle social and environmental disparities in five areas of focus: community economic development, education, food, health, and water.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation Board Reserve Challenge.
Promise of Justice Initiative: Creates positive change for people in the criminal legal system at the intersection of impact litigation, direct services, and community engagement.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Promise of Justice Initiative Freeman Challenge Board-Restricted Cash Reserve.
Operation Restoration: Supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives, and discover new possibilities.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Operation Restoration Freeman Challenge Board-Restricted Cash Reserve.
Cathedral Montessori School: Prepares students for a life of independent and self-directed learning in a community that fosters a love of knowledge, pride in individual differences, and harmonious relationships with the social and natural environment.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Cathedral Montessori School Freeman Challenge Board-Restricted Cash Reserve.
2019-2020 Grantees
Endowment Challenge
Kingsley House: Educates children, strengthens families and builds community.
Goal: To raise $150,000 to be matched with $75,000 from the Freeman Challenges for their 125th Anniversary Endowment Challenge.
Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL): Their mission is to drive bold, science-based action to sustain a dynamic coastal Louisiana through engagement and advocacy.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Building Long-Term Financial Stability and Independence in Support of Our Coast Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge.
Dancing Grounds: A multigenerational arts space that brings inclusive and accessible dance programs to New Orleans residents of all ages
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Dancing Grounds Board-Restricted Reserve Fund.
Innocence Project New Orleans: Frees innocent, life-sentenced prisoners, supports clients living well and fully in the world after their release, and advocates for sensible criminal justice policies that reduce wrongful convictions.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Innocence Project New Orleans Board-Restricted Reserve Fund.
Kid SmART: Engages children in dynamic, creative and rigorous learning through the arts
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Root & Reach Stretch Goal.
Live Oak Wilderness Camp: Brings summer camp to life all year long with fun, friendship, and leadership development to connect a diverse community of outstanding New Orleans kids.
Goal: To raise $10,000 to be matched with $5,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Live Oak Wilderness Camp Board-Restricted Reserve Fund.
New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation: Making New Orleans a safer place in which to live, work and visit–accomplished by promoting excellence in policing, efficiency in criminal justice and positive community engagement.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Celebrating 25 Years of Putting Public Safety 1st Board-Restricted Reserve.
South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center: Revolutionizing how we think, teach and learn about Louisiana’s disappearing coast with programming focused on developing adaptation skills in young people.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center Board-Restricted Reserve.
Youth Run NOLA: Creates and empowers a community of healthy, young leaders through running.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Youth Run NOLA Board-Restricted Reserve.
Applying for a Freeman Challenge is a three-step process. Revisit Steps 1 or 2 below: