14 organizations receive grants from the Environmental Fund
(New Orleans, LA |December 28, 2015) The Greater New Orleans Foundation deepened its commitment to addressing our regional environmental challenges by awarding $528,160 in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations.
“It’s going to take all of us—government, national organizations, and local nonprofits to create long-term solutions to our region’s sustainability,” said Ella Delio, director of environmental and regional initiatives. “The role nonprofits are playing is increasingly important because their programs and projects are having a direct impact on the people whose lives are affected by the environmental threats we face every day.”
Since its inception in 1994, the Environmental Fund has supported the work of high-impact, highly-effective nonprofit organizations that all share the same goal of creating a region that is a safe and viable place to live and work. The work leverages support from national foundations including the blue moon fund and the Surdna Foundation which have contributed additional resources.
The following organizations received grants:
Bayou Grace, $20,000, to engage residents in education activities on land loss, coastal restoration, and hazard preparation.
Bayou Interfaith Sponsoring Committee, $20,000, to engage in strategic partnership activities around coastal restoration and protection.
Committee for Better New Orleans-Greater New Orleans Water Collaborative, $58,800, to hire a full-time GNO Water Collaborative coordinator.
FirstLine Schools, $10,000, to develop a Water Education Technology (WET) program at Phillis Wheatley Community School.
KIPP New Orleans, $25,000, to reconstruct a KIPP Central City schoolyard with green infrastructure and stormwater management features.
Louisiana Appleseed, $20,000, to help remove legal hurdles involving title clearing in the coastal communities through education and advocacy.
Lower Ninth Ward-Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, $20,000, to launch a coalition that will engage the Lower Ninth Ward community in a restoration project.
Neighborhood Partnership Network/NOLAVibe, $50,000, to conduct research on the Greater New Orleans region’s assets related to the water economy.
Propeller, $170,360, to run the Water Challenge Accelerator program.
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, $20,000, to work with leaders of Isle de Jean Charles on advocating for their community’s needs.
Trust for Public Land, $39,000, to develop a web-based tool that will allow for the prioritization of green infrastructure locations.
United Houma Nation, $20,000, to work with tribal leaders on coastal issues affecting their communities.
Urban Strategies, $25,000, to support the design of green infrastructure and of educational programs for Lafon Park.
WWNO, $30,000, to operate the Coastal Desk.
For more information about GNOF’s environmental initiatives, go to http://www.gnof.org/environment.