Tulane Announces Deal to Lead Transformation of Charity Hospital Site in the BioDistrict
Courtesy of NOLA.com
Tulane University announced on June 23 that it is leading the transformative effort to turn the former Charity Hospital in the BioDistrict into a hub of education, medical research and apartments, a key milestone for the city as the site has been derelict since Hurricane Katrina. Under an agreement Tulane reached in June with 1532 Tulane Holdco, the consortium selected in 2018 to oversee the $300 million project, Tulane will be responsible for restoring the 90-year-old former hospital and turning roughly two-thirds of it into the new home of the Tulane Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and the Tulane Innovation Institute. The consortium will convert one-third of the structure into apartments.
Beginning in 2018, the Greater New Orleans Foundation made a generational commitment to catalyzing the growth of a dynamic, job creating, and equitable life and biosciences innovation district. The Foundation produced an initial report on the potential for such district in 2018 and then led the successful efforts to activate the BioDistrict and secure economic development district funding from the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana to advance its work. Then the Foundation spearheaded the fundraising effort to support the BioDistrict’s 2024 strategic master plan, which named the redevelopment of Charity Hospital along with the launch of Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine and Louisiana State University (LSU) securing a National Cancer Institute designation as its three top priorities. Foundation President and CEO, Andy Kopplin, serves as Chair of the BioDistrict’s board.
“Very few organizations have the vision to look forward 100+ years, and even fewer of them have the boldness, capability, and courage to act on their dreams,” said Andy Kopplin, President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation and Chair of the BioDistrict Board of Directors. “This leadership from Mike Fitts and Tulane’s Board of Directors will turbocharge the development of the BioDistrict and honor Charity Hospital’s legacy of care while writing a new story of innovation and impact for Louisiana.”
Once the redevelopment is completed, Tulane expects to have space for 700 researchers, innovators and support staff in the building, creating one of the largest concentrations of health, biomedical and other research talent in the Gulf South. Tulane hopes to begin construction before the end of the year and move into the building in the fall of 2029.
Read more about what people are saying about the Charity Hospital announcement:
- NOLA.com: Tulane to take over renovation of former Charity Hospital
- Tulane University: Tulane announces major milestone in planned transformation of former Charity Hospital building
- WWL-TV: Tulane to lead transformation of Charity Hospital site
- WDSU: Tulane advances Charity Hospital redevelopment
- New Orleans CityBusiness: Tulane takes lead role in $500M Charity Hospital redevelopment
- WGNO: Charity Hospital to be transformed under Tulane University’s ownership
- AOL: Charity Hospital to be transformed under Tulane University’s ownership
- Yahoo! News: New plan could revive empty Charity Hospital building after more than 20 years
- Washington Post: New Orleans hospital destroyed by Katrina to be reborn as a science hub
City of New Orleans Announces Opportunity for Business Affected by Sewerage & Water Board Construction Project on Lower Decatur Street & St. Peter Street
Courtesy of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and the City of New Orleans on June 24 announced a Business Stabilization Fund to assist businesses located along Lower Decatur and St. Peter Streets in the French Quarter that have experienced prolonged disruption due to construction projects. The Greater New Orleans Foundation will serve as the administrator for the program through its support organization, The New Orleans Community Support Foundation.
The program is designed to deliver the stabilization and continuity of historic commercial corridors that generate sales tax revenue, sustain pedestrian activity that contributed to public safety, and preserve the historic character integral to New Orleans’ tourism economy. The fund also seeks to enable businesses to retain their workforce.
The total funding for the New Orleans Business Stabilization Fund is $200,000, which is being made available by the French Quarter Management District and the French Market Corporation. The Fund will award assistance payments in two tiers, determined by the business’ size ($2,500 for businesses with fewer than 8 employees and $5,000 for businesses with 8 employees or more.) Businesses located along these corridors are eligible for the program: 900 block of Decatur Street,1000 block of Decatur Street, 1100 block of Decatur Street, and 600 block of Peter Street.
The application window opened on June 29 at 9 am and closes at noon on July 10. To learn more and apply, click here.
Join the Foundation, Tulane ByWater Institute, and the Southeast Louisiana Adaptation Forum Organizing Committee on July 16 in New Orleans
Join the Greater New Orleans Foundation, Tulane ByWater Institute, and Southeast Louisiana Adaptation Forum Organizing Committee on July 16 from 9 am to 1 pm for the Summer 2026 Convening to cut through the noise and formulate a long-term story of adaptation for our region. At the convening, there will be opportunities to contribute your ideas to developing the data tools that will enable us to build that future. The Forum is designed to foster regional collaboration across government, community, business, academia, and philanthropy. All green infrastructure and climate adaptation practitioners and decision-makers are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided.
Convening agenda highlights include a panel of speakers representing science, economy, and community discussing the long-term realities of adaptation for the region; engaging activities with Forum Members to hone our stories and talking points that build momentum for action; and updates and opportunities to contribute to the Data Science Working Group.
The Southeast Louisiana Adaptation Forum is led by a broad-based and diverse Organizing Committee and administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation and Tulane ByWater Institute. It is an emerging regional collaborative that engages and connects people to accelerate implementation of transformative green infrastructure and climate adaptation projects, to support regional and cross-sector professional coordination, and to build capacity of the region’s practitioners through shared learning.
Join Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans by July 10!
Courtesy of Billiot Photography & Video
Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans (EPNO), a program of the Greater New Orleans Foundation, was created to engage our region’s next generation of philanthropists—and we’re looking for our next cohort members now!
EPNO’s mission is to inspire and educate community members across the Greater New Orleans region to become effective, strategic, and lifelong philanthropists. Through this dynamic experience, community members across the region build the skills, perspective, and confidence to become strategic, effective, and lifelong nonprofit supporters to benefit our community. In this high-energy, six-month cohort experience, participants learn, connect, and together create meaningful change in our community. Since 2011, more than 600 alumni have completed the EPNO program. EPNO is building on a strong legacy and expanding opportunities to support Southeast Louisiana’s next generation of philanthropists.
Applications for the 2026–2027 EPNO cohort are open until July 10. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a powerful network of emerging leaders committed to making a difference.
Apply Here!Join Us in Celebrating a National Day of Charitable Giving and America’s 250th Anniversary!
Since our country’s founding, giving back to our neighbors and communities has been part of who we are. And we know donors in the Greater New Orleans region are some of the most generous people in the country. Typically, charitable giving occurs during the end of the calendar year, which leaves nonprofits without critical resources they need throughout the year. As our country celebrates 250 years on July 4, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish July 4 as a new national day of charitable giving is presenting itself. Giving 4th asks that the generous people in our country make their charitable gifts now as we approach our nation’s anniversary.
As your community foundation, we are proud to serve as your philanthropic partners for this region, and your trust and support are the platform for our collective success. Our successes are only possible thanks to the generous partners who support the Foundation’s work. We hope that you will consider a gift to our annual Partners In Philanthropy campaign on Giving 4th to support our ongoing efforts to strengthen this place we love so dearly.
We partner with donors to provide and leverage critical resources, especially when they’re needed most. And we’re able to say “yes” in the moments that matter because of the people and systems already in place at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. That kind of leadership is made possible by generous supporters like you—people who choose to fund “the work behind the work.”
Please contact Nathan Alvarez at nathan@gnof.org or 504.620.5264 with any questions or for assistance.
Make a Gift Here
Join the 2026-27 Cohort of Emerging Leaders before July 7!
Emerging Leaders provides an opportunity for passionate nonprofit leaders to elevate their skills, perspectives, and networks to become our region’s next nonprofit executive directors and senior leaders.
This seven-month (September 2026 – March 2027) intensive training program equips participants with the technical and relationship-building skills, as well as the critical systems-level thinking, necessary to lead strong, healthy, and impactful nonprofits. In response to the Foundation’s survey identifying a racial leadership gap among greater New Orleans area nonprofits, the Foundation is especially encouraging Black and Indigenous leaders and other leaders of color to apply to join this learning community, which affirms their strengths, experiences, and the unique challenges they face. Those who work in youth-serving organizations are also encouraged to apply. Space is limited. Applications are due on July 7.
Apply Here!Check Out Our Summer NLE Offerings For Nonprofit and Charter School Board Members!
This summer, the Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness is offering several workshops and webinars! Check out the list of opportunities below:
- NEW! Friday, July 17 | 10 am – 2 pm – Nonprofit Preparedness: Planning for Continued Operations after Multiple Hazards
- Thursday, August 20 | 11:30 am – 1 pm – How to Plan, Design, and Facilitate a Great Board Retreat – (A part of Stronger Boards Means Stronger Nonprofits: A Governance Webinar Series in partnership with JPMorganChase)
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