New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund
New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund
Support for nonprofit community organizations, youth recreation organizations, and culture bearer organizations that contribute substantially to the well-being, development, and growth of the New Orleans community.
The New Orleans City Council has established the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund to provide funding to support nonprofit community organizations, youth recreation organizations, and culture bearer organizations that contribute substantially to the well-being, development, and growth of the New Orleans community.
How to Apply for Funding
Maximum grant awards will be the lower of $100,000 or 50% of an organization’s annual operating budget.
Tax-exempt 501c3 nonprofit organizations with a registered headquarters or permanent physical location in Orleans Parish that have been in existence for at least three years and are in good standing with the IRS are eligible to apply.
Organizations that received general operating support in the previous cycle are not eligible to apply for general operating support in the current cycle and may only apply for programmatic support.
Organizations should demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Strong leadership at the staff and board level
- Good fiscal management
- Track record of success
- Organizational capacity
- Commitment to equity for communities and populations in high need
- Thoughtful involvement of community members as leaders and advisors
- Key contributions to the health and vibrancy of the communities they serve
Required Documents
In addition to answering narrative questions, applicants will be required to submit the following documents:
- Current Operating Budget
- Year-To-Date Financial Statements
- Most Recent Audit
- Most Recent IRS Form 990
- List of Board Members
- List of Other Funders
- Proof of Good Standing With Louisiana Secretary of State
- Memorandum of Understanding (If applying using a fiscal sponsor)
Awarded funds may be used for general operating or programmatic support. Applicants must identify specific key performance indicators that will be reported against if an award is made. Awards may not be used for fundraising or lobbying activities.
Only one application per organization will be eligible for consideration.
Applicants should submit their completed proposal (including required documents) via the Foundation’s online portal.
If your organization has already created a profile, simply log in with the same information and you will be able to apply to the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund. If not, setting up a profile is a very easy process. Creating a profile will allow you to track the status of your grants from the Foundation’s various programs in the future as we bring more programs online.
For a brief tutorial on how to use our online portal click here.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to email grants@nocsf.org.
Grantmaking Schedule
Grant applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the deadline date. The deadline and notification dates are:
Application deadline:
September 6, 2024
Grant Notification timeline:
December 2024
Payment Schedule
If a grant is awarded, grants will be paid according to the following schedule:
- Grants up to $25,000
- 90% will be paid upon receipt of a signed grant agreement
- 10% will be paid upon submission and review of a final report
- Grants over $25,000
- 50% will be paid upon receipt of a signed grant agreement
- 40% will be paid upon submission and review of an interim report
- 10% will be paid upon submission and review of a final report
Reporting Requirements
If a grant is awarded, the grantee is required to submit interim and final programmatic and financial reports outlining the use of grant funds. Awarded funds must be expended in 2025.