Watch the video above as local leaders, Francis family members, and previous mentees reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Norman C. Francis. | Courtesy of VPJR
The Greater Good: Special Edition
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The Greater New Orleans Foundation is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Norman C. Francis, legendary civil rights and higher education leader, and a former trustee of the Foundation. We offer our sincerest condolences to the Francis family and all who were touched by his remarkable life.
As we look back at Dr. Francis’ life and legacy, we are honored that among his extraordinary civic contributions to our city, state, and nation, he served as an influential force for good in the history of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Like many organizations with roots that extend back a century, ours was not always on the right side of history. In 1956, with the Civil Rights Movement in full swing and in response to a threatened boycott from the White Citizens Council, our predecessor organization, the Community Chest, removed the Urban League from the list of organizations that would benefit from that year’s fundraising campaign. As the lawyer for the Urban League, Dr. Francis called on the Community Chest board to fulfill its higher purposes and fearlessly spoke truth to power; due to Dr. Francis’s effective advocacy, the Urban League’s status as a participating organization was restored the very next year. And today, the Urban League remains one of our most important and trusted partners. Even more remarkable was Dr. Francis’ capacity for forgiveness. He joined the Foundation’s board in the 1990s, became a fundholder in 2017, and allowed us to honor him with our Norman C. Francis Endowment for Racial Equity in 2024. We are proud that Dr. Francis has been an indelible part of the Foundation’s family, reminding us of where we came from so we can chart a path to where we’re going: focused on creating a more just and equitable organization for all in Southeast Louisiana.
“Dr. Francis was one of our city’s and nation’s greatest Saints,” said Andy Kopplin, President and CEO of the Foundation and former Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. “I’m so fortunate to have been a witness to his kindness and principled, moral leadership at the Louisiana Recovery Authority where he served as our chair and here at the Greater New Orleans Foundation where his belief that organizations can overcome past shortcomings and use that knowledge to inspire them to reach higher heights still drives us today. We join all New Orleanians in mourning Dr. Francis’s passing.”
In 2024, we honored Dr. Francis and the Francis family at our fifth annual Celebration of Black Philanthropy. To recognize his decades of remarkable trailblazing work in the name of racial justice, the Foundation doubled down on our commitment to make racial equity work a permanent priority with the creation of the Dr. Norman C. Francis Endowment for Racial Equity. Through this endowment, we will grant $100,000 every year to organizations working to end unjust systems and build wealth for the Black community. We are deeply honored to join countless others in keeping Dr. Francis’ legacy alive. To learn more about the Dr. Norman C. Francis Endowment for Racial Equity, click here.
Dr. Norman C. Francis and New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Owner and former Foundation Trustee Gayle Benson have a conversation at the 2024 Celebration of Black Philanthropy.
Dr. Francis gives remarks at the 2024 Celebration of Black Philanthropy, at which he was honored for his lifetime of achievements working toward racial equity.
Timothy B. Francis and his father Dr. Francis pose for a picture at the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Centennial Gala in 2023.
Dr. Francis gives remarks after then-Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed him as Chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority in October 2005 following Hurricane Katrina.
Then-Chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority Dr. Francis and then-Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority Andy Kopplin give remarks at the Day of Presence in commemoration of Hurricane Katrina in 2007.
Greater New Orleans Foundation President and CEO Andy Kopplin greets Dr. Francis at the Foundation’s Centennial Gala in 2023.
Left to right: Foundation Committee Chairmen pose for a picture in 1995: Dr. Francis, Diversity Committee; Janice M. Foster, Grants Committee; Louis M. Freeman, Finance Committee; and Betty V. Lauricella, Managing for Excellence Committee.
Dr. Francis gives remarks after then-Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed him as Chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority in October 2005 following Hurricane Katrina.
Dr. Francis and former Foundation Board Chair Leann Moses take a picture together at the Foundation’s Centennial Gala in 2023.
Dr. Francis and the Foundation’s former Vice President of Development Margaret Epstein pose for a picture together at the Foundation’s Centennial Gala in 2023.