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News from the Greater New Orleans Foundation
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Additional Funding Added to $1M Foundation
Grant to Community Lighthouse Project
Federal, state, and local officials joined key stakeholders and 1,000 individuals representing more than 50 member institutions of Together New Orleans on June 28th to pledge support for the Community Lighthouse Project, which seeks to create a network of solar- and battery-powered resilience hubs at churches and nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters across south Louisiana. In May, the Greater New Orleans Foundation made a $1 million leadership grant to Together New Orleans and challenged others to join in supporting this initiative.
At the event, Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. announced via video link that his request for $3.8 million for the Community Lighthouse project was included in the final 2023 FY federal appropriations bill. This federal investment will help fund the first phase of the project, which aims to create 24 lighthouses across south Louisiana.
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New Directors Hired for
Nonprofit Leadership & Effectiveness
and Environmental Programs
The Greater New Orleans Foundation announced two new hires on July 11th. Devon Turner joins the Foundation as our new Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness. Dan Favre takes over as our Director of Environmental Programs. Prior to their arrival, Devon served as the Executive Director of Grow Dat Youth Farm, and Dan served as the Executive Director of Bike Easy for nearly 7 years. To get to know them better, check out our question-and-answer session with our two new team members.
Read the Q & A >>
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Foundation Launches Hurricane Ida
Impact Report via New Website
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ida, the Foundation supported more than 80 organizations working on the front lines to assist their communities with over $4 million in grants. Our innovative approach to rapid disaster response grantmaking, which puts trust-based philanthropy at the forefront, has become a model in the sector. Learn more about the impact these efforts have had - and most importantly, see videos and hear directly from those we supported - by visiting our newly launched interactive webpage below.
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Foundation Hosts Two-Day
'When Waters Rise' Convening
The Foundation hosted a two-day convening in which community foundations and place-based funders from across the nation gathered in New Orleans to discuss formalizing a network for equitable disaster grantmaking. We shared best practices in the field, heard from grantee partners, and enjoyed networking with new friends and peers.
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Our Greater Region
News and events from around the 13-parish region.
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- Made in New Orleans Foundation (MiNO) is a nonprofit helping the New Orleans hospitality industry by making growth and financial success easier. By using a multidisciplinary approach to address, ameliorate, and eliminate disparities facing hospitality professionals of color, MiNO is leading a charge for a more equitable New Orleans Hospitality industry and was featured on PBS Newshour this month.
- Grand Isle's first annual Island Strong Beach Fest is a two-day festival featuring live music, food, crafts, and more that will help support the community's recovery from Hurricane Ida. All proceeds go to rebuilding Grand Isle’s recreational facilities. The festival will take place July 15 and 16 on the beach across from the Grand Isle Community Center. Learn more.
- The Louisiana Legislature has allocated $889,000 to support farmers through doubling SNAP dollars at local farmers markets. Foundation partner and grantee Market Umbrella was appointed to administer the funds. Market Umbrella currently operates a successful privately- and federally-funded SNAP match program at Crescent City Farmers Markets and will administer the new Greaux the Good program. Learn more about Greaux the Good.
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People of Philanthropy
We believe that everyone can be a philanthropist. Meet the people, grantmakers, and nonprofits that are making it a reality.
We sat down with Powell DiGangi, one of the Foundation's workforce navigators in our New Orleans Workforce Innovations (NOWI) program, to get insight on his work in the ever-changing hospitality and construction industries. Powell's work with Gallo Mechanical was recently featured in this month's issue of Biz New Orleans.
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Name: Powell DiGangi (fourth from left, above)
Role: Workforce Innovations Navigator
Tell me about your day-to-day life as a workforce navigator.
As a navigator, I work with clients on a wide array of barriers that impact their personal, community, family, and work life. Over the last four years, I've worked with clients on issues such as transportation, legal, family, mental health, parenting, abuse, financial literacy, and everything in between. No day is the same for me and each represents a new challenge.
Hospitality and construction are vastly different industries. Are there any common themes to your approach when working with such different workforces?
No matter if I'm working with servers, bar tenders, pipe fitters, or plumbers, the authenticity that I bring to each interaction is key in building trust. My program is new in both sectors, so articulating the benefits of it in a way that is easily accessible to all employees is a main focus of mine.
How can other industries benefit from the work you do as a workforce navigator?
High workforce turnover rates are an issue plaguing many businesses and industries and there has been a lot written about it over the past few years. New Orleans Workforce Innovations seeks to bolster companies' retention rates by providing services that will assist employees with issues that might otherwise cause them to lose employment.
What has been your best experience or “success” story as a navigator?
I believe the area that I have been most successful has been in the arena of legal battles. Legal issues can greatly impact people's mental, physical, and financial health and can cause people to spiral in really negative ways including losing their careers. I have assisted my clients in navigating the perilous world of traffic, criminal and family court with much success. Having a committed advocate can mean all the difference in the world.
Favorite restaurant in New Orleans?
Morrow's, because the food is great. I love the vibe and I'm their navigator!
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The Good Word
What we’re reading and listening to in honor of July's National Grilling Month.
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- Chef Mason Hereford, the visionary behind Turkey and the Wolf and Molly's Rise & Shine, has become quite newsworthy as of late. First, his cookbook was part of the infamous trans-Atlantic cargo collapse. Fear not, as it's finally made its way stateside... safely. Find "Turkey and the Wolf: Flavor Trippin' in New Orleans" here. Next, Chef Hereford made New Orleans proud by competing against Iron Chef Curtis Stone in the newest iteration of Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, now streaming on Netflix. Read about his experience here.
- Chef Jarred Zeringue made a name for himself with his popular restaurant Wayne Jacob’s Smokehouse and Restaurant in LaPlace. Now, he brings to life the diversity of flavors from the River Parishes through a seasonal approach to cooking in his new cookbook, Southern and Smoked. Half an homage to his family and his roots and half his flavorful take on Louisiana cooking, this book is the perfect source for summer Cajun recipes. Find it here.
- What better way to celebrate National Grilling Month than breaking out the briquettes and firing up a recipe by none other than Chef Nina Compton of Bywater American Bistro and Compère Lapin? Find her Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Heirloom Tomatoes Salad recipe here.
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Lagniappe
Good Samaritan Robert Brantley has gone viral thanks to Hota Kotp and some next-level kitten cuteness. Because of this local Louisiana hero, over a dozen abandoned kittens have found their fur-ever homes!
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Thanks for joining us for today's edition of The Greater Good.
Until next time!
The Greater New Orleans Foundation Team
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