Exxon-Mobil Fund

The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) administers the Exxon-Mobil Fund, a donor-advised fund designed to support nonprofit initiatives specifically within the communities of St. Bernard Parish and a designated area of Algiers in New Orleans. The Foundation acts as a philanthropic convener and fund manager in the region, aiming to improve community outcomes through strategic grantmaking. This fund reflects a targeted geographic focus and utilizes an advisory committee composed of local business and civic leaders who meet annually to review and decide on funding requests. The fund's primary goal is to enhance the quality of life in the aforementioned communities through support across all programmatic areas. While it does not restrict funding to any specific sector, it sets general parameters on grant sizes: for St. Bernard Parish, grants typically do not exceed $10,000, and for the designated Algiers area, grants usually do not exceed $4,000. Exceptions may be made for extraordinary circumstances, especially in the St. Bernard region. A map is available to define the boundaries of eligible Algiers neighborhoods. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3), as well as groups that are not tax-exempt but have an established fiscal sponsorship relationship with a 501(c)(3). Although priority is given to organizations based in the eligible geographic areas, nonprofits that serve these communities from outside may still be considered. Funding may be awarded for a variety of purposes including support for new or innovative programs, capital improvements such as construction or renovations, startup costs for newly forming organizations, and bridge funding for nonprofits experiencing short-term financial difficulty. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive online application through the GNOF online portal. The application must include a detailed project budget with narrative, a clear description of the proposed initiative including strategies, measurable objectives, and a timetable. Additional required documentation includes the organization’s board list, most recent audit, and latest IRS Form 990. If an organization already has an account in the GNOF system, they may use their login credentials to access the application portal; otherwise, a simple registration process is required. A video tutorial is available to help applicants understand the submission process. Grantees who receive funding through the Exxon-Mobil Fund will be expected to submit fiscal and narrative reports outlining how the funds were used and the resulting impact on the community. These reporting requirements will be detailed in the award letter at the time of disbursement. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Rachel Swan at rachel@gnof.org. For 2025, the application window opens on August 13 and closes on September 5. The fund is distributed annually, with future cycles expected to follow a similar calendar unless otherwise noted by the Foundation.

Review the tutorial video provided by Foundant before starting a new application to understand the process.