$978,000 grant from The Kresge Foundation will implement an Organizational Effectiveness Initiative for human services
(New Orleans, LA | December 11, 2015) – The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) will use a $978,000 grant from The Kresge Foundation to work with New Orleans-based human services organizations to create a network of service providers that is easy for clients to access and navigate.
“The health of the human services sector is vital to our community,” explained Albert Ruesga, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “These organizations provide critical services and programs for our community’s most needy such as the elderly, disabled, unemployed, homeless, as well as victims of domestic violence and substance abuse.”
“There is, however, a new reality,” said Ruesga. “The demand for human services is growing while resources are shrinking. Forming collaborations and adopting new business models are crucial for success.”
Over the past several years, the Greater New Orleans Foundation has conducted hundreds of trainings, seminars and workshops for nonprofit leaders through its Organizational Effectiveness Initiative to help nonprofits strengthen their operations and management. The Kresge grant will support the extension of the initiative as part of its national commitment to strengthen human services organizations that improve the quality of life and economic security for low-income people living in cities.
“This grant is to continue the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s track record of success of working with nonprofit leaders to create connections that result in better services for the people of New Orleans,” said Michael B. Shaw, human services program officer at The Kresge Foundation. “We’re proud of our partnership with the Foundation and their work with the Organizational Effectiveness Initiative is a national model for leveraging networks to create more personalized and better outcomes for individuals.”
Additionally, Kresge’s support of the Greater New Orleans Foundation is another example of Kresge’s commitment to supporting the decade-long recovery efforts in New Orleans post-Katrina. Since 2005, Kresge has awarded more than $30 million to local and national nonprofits serving the area.
By extending established Organizational Effectiveness programs to the region’s human services organizations, the Greater New Orleans Foundation will support the human services sector in addressing major challenges, develop new strategies and implement new management and leadership approaches. This work will continue in the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy which is slated to open in the fall of 2016.
“We need these organizations to be strong because they are at the frontlines of helping our most vulnerable community members,” said Joann Ricci, vice president of organizational effectiveness at the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
For more information on the organizational effectiveness initiative and all of its workshops, visit dev.gnof.org/oe.