Louisiana Arts Grants

Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grants provide matching funds to encourage the revitalization of historic downtown commercial properties located in designated Louisiana Main Street districts. Donor Name: Louisiana Office of Cultural Development State: Louisiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement | Matching Grants Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grants serve as an effort to promote community revitalization and stimulate economic growth and vitality, in addition to enriching cultural tourism. Community reinvestment utilizing historic preservation practices improves community economic health by fostering renewed interest in shopping, working, and living downtown. Funding Information Grant awards may range from $2,500 to $10,000. Grant Period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. What is funded? Exterior: The scope of work must directly contribute physically (visually and with regard to historic preservation) and economically to the revitalization of the Main Street district while preserving and respecting the historic architectural character of the building, district, and architectural heritage of the community. Interior: Improvements are restricted to exposing, restoring or replicating original interior architectural features. The grant can also be used to offset costs of installing or repairing a fire suppression system for either a commercial ground floor space or a new (first-time) upper story income-producing residential development in a historically commercial building. Parapet Lighting: Commercial grade white or color LED lighting to outline a series of building parapets is a lighting initiative intended to create a nightly, year-round festive atmosphere in Main Street districts. Buildings must be adjoining and must include at least one block. Applications require a minimum five-year maintenance commitment plan. If the city oversees the purchase, installation, and maintenance of the lights, the local Main Street program may apply in conjunction with the city, and installation costs incurred by the city may apply toward the required match. Installation must be of professional standard, and secure for longevity of use and to minimize damage and maintenance issues. Signage: Restoration of historically significant/landmark signage or the restoration or replication of historic theater marquees is eligible. (New commercial signage is not supported by this grant.) Who may apply? Property owners or tenants of commercially-zoned properties located within designated Louisiana Main Street districts as of December 31 of the calendar year preceding the application deadline. Tenants must obtain the property owner’s consent signature on the grant application. If the applicant is a corporation, the grant application must be accompanied by a resolution from the corporation’s board of directors authorizing the applicant’s signature on behalf of the corporation. If the applicant is a co-owner of the property, the grant application must be accompanied by a statement authorizing the applicant to act on behalf of all co-owners. The statement must be signed by all co-owners. Buildings must be at least 50 years old and must contribute to the significance of the local Main Street district. Buildings less than 50 years old may be eligible if they meet National Register criteria for exceptional significance as an integral part of a historic district that is listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The local Main Street director will assist the applicant in determining if the building meets this eligibility requirement. Louisiana Main Street will make the final determination based on the support documentation submitted with the application. For more information, visit LOCD.

Propeller’s Impact Accelerator is a 5-month program that provides mission-driven entrepreneurs with coaching, community building, curriculum, and technical assistance to grow their businesses. Donor Name: Propeller State: Louisiana City: New Orleans Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 05/12/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: In the Impact Accelerator, Propeller works with entrepreneurs to catalyze transformational growth. Propeller connects entrepreneurs with the contract opportunities, markets, and customers to put their businesses on the fast track for growth. Ventures begin their Impact Accelerator experience by working with experienced, dedicated mentors to set ambitious yet achievable goals for growth and long-term sustainability, tailored to the needs of your business. Each venture receives support from subject matter experts to provide project assistance and access to entrepreneurial curriculum to remove speed bumps to growth. Propeller’s Impact Accelerator is sponsored by the Clif Family Foundation, Capital One, Nasdaq, RosaMary Foundation, WK Kellogg Foundation, Baptist Community Ministries. Focus Areas  Community Economic Development In community economic development, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports BIPOC entrepreneurs operating brick and mortar establishments along the Broad Street corridor, in New Orleans East, and in Central City seeking to grow their revenues and staff. Education In education, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs working in the service provision or delivery of early childhood education and care from birth to eight years of age. Food In food, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs who have an existing consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand with an emphasis on sustainable, healthy, and affordable products made with locally-sourced ingredients. Health In health, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator supports entrepreneurs who provide direct health and wellness services, including clinical care, and services that address the social and physical determinants of health in the built environment and community context domains. Propeller prioritizes entrepreneurs who serve a BIPOC client base. Water In water, Propeller’s Impact Accelerator focuses on supporting entrepreneurs working in the fields of green infrastructure, urban stormwater management, native plants cultivation, and coastal restoration. Benefits Impact Accelerator participants have regular Lead Mentor office hours to set goals for growth and sustainability, receive support from Subject Matter Experts, and attend in-person meetups to access entrepreneurial curriculum.  A summary of program benefits include: 16+ hours of Lead Mentor Office Hours 12+ hours of business development curriculum during Meetups 20+ hours to work with Subject Matter Experts on projects related to business growth goals A detailed work plan laying out revenue, capital, and social/environmental impact goals Coaching to embed racial equity, social and environmental impact goals into business operations Introductions to key community stakeholders Free coworking office space at Propeller’s facility Membership in a cohort of 20 like-minded entrepreneurs, as well as a network of over 250 alumni. Eligibility Criteria  Propeller is seeking growth stage entrepreneurs with plans to scale revenues and teams over the next 12 months in Propeller’s five areas of focus: community economic development, education, food, health, and water. Community Economic Development Eligibility Category: Black-owned Brick and Mortar Storefronts For-profit Operating a brick-and-mortar storefront Headquartered on or along North/South Broad Street, Central City, or New Orleans East Majority (50%+) owned by Black entrepreneur(s) Preferred: Storefront business that has existed in the neighborhood for 3+ years with the desire to stay in the neighborhood, create livable wage jobs, and build strong community ties Preferred: Businesses with stated intention of growing revenues and team through commercial and/or government contracts. Education Eligibility Category: Early Childhood Education For-Profit or Non-Profit Supports service provision or delivery of early childhood education and care from birth to eight years of age Plans to increase enrollment, grow staff, and/or expand business location within the next 12 months. Education Eligibility Category: Consumer Packaged Goods Entrepreneurs who have an existing consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand that are one or more of the following: Environmentally sound Locally sourced Healthy Or have other compelling social or environmental impacts Propeller will prioritize companies led by BIPOC entrepreneurs, especially those seeking to increase sales through growth of wholesale outlets. Health  Eligibility Category: Direct provision or delivery of healthcare For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Providing direct clinical care or healthcare Preferred: Entrepreneurs serving a BIPOC client base Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to make healthcare more accessible to New Orleanians Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to grow their staff in the next 12 months Eligibility Category: Provision of services impacting social and physical determinants of health For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Providing services impacting social and physical determinants of health Preferred: Entrepreneurs serving a BIPOC client base Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to make healthcare more accessible to New Orleanians Preferred: Entrepreneurs seeking to grow their staff in the next 12 months. Water  Eligibility Category: Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management Currently working urban stormwater management or green infrastructure For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Eligibility Category: Coastal Restoration Currently working or seeking to work in coastal restoration For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Eligibility Category: Native Plant Cultivation For-profit or nonprofit with earned revenue Priority: increasing supply of native plants to be used in green infrastructure projects. For more information, visit Propeller.

The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy is happy to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2024 Grant Funding Program. Donor Name: City of New Orleans State: Louisiana City: New Orleans Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: For the FY24 cycle, twenty-five (25) grants of $2,000 will be awarded to individuals and organizations that are engaging in activities that promote the cultural economy through educating  youth, training cultural producers, providing networking opportunities, creating cultural events, and other projects that align with the Office of Cultural Economy’s mission. What can be Fund: Workshops, training, and conferences that build cultural economy capacity in cultural non-profits, neighborhood organizations, and cultural businesses. Capacity Building includes networking, teaching skills such as fundraising/grant writing, working with partners to improve programming, leveraging, education about sustainability, learning of new concepts such as place-based planning, etc. Workshops, training, and conferences in any of the Cultural Economy segments as defined by the Office of Cultural Economy: Entertainment (dance, theater, music, film, sound recording), Design (fashion, interactive media, communications), Preservation (architecture, construction, landscape architecture, and interior design related to preserving historic buildings and assets), Culinary Arts, Literary Arts and Humanities, and Visual Arts and Crafts. Events with art and cultural components. Funds can be used for paying musicians or other performers, attracting tourists, or other activities that will directly impact either cultural workers or attract sales for art and cultural vendors. Note: all funded programs, events, and activities must acknowledge support from the Office of Cultural Economy through use of their logo or written/verbal acknowledgment. Eligibility Criteria State and federal 501(c)3 nonprofits For profit businesses licensed with the City and State and are in good standing Note they do not fund for-profit activities, but community/cultural activities organized by for-profit businesses qualify Individuals, such as artists, who have secured a fiscal agent (such as a nonprofit) For more information, visit City of New Orleans.

This funding opportunity supports 501(c)(3) organizations working on projects that improve the Alexandria metropolitan area, with a focus on leadership in philanthropy, education, arts, and community development.

The Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation, initially the Charles T. Beaird Foundation, was established in 1960 in Shreveport, Louisiana, to support the philanthropic endeavors of the Beaird-Poulan Corporation. Transitioning in 2009 to a stand-alone family foundation named after its founders, it now supports a range of causes in the Shreveport and Bossier City region, focusing on small, local, innovative, and possibly unpopular programs. The foundation prioritizes projects in education, housing, healthcare, social services, the arts, and community development, and encourages organizations to apply through their online system during specified grant cycles. Grant renewed every year. Annual Spring opening/closing deadline application: December 1st to January 5th. Letter of Intent January 15st to January 31st (optional)

The Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation, initially the Charles T. Beaird Foundation, was established in 1960 in Shreveport, Louisiana, to support the philanthropic endeavors of the Beaird-Poulan Corporation. Transitioning in 2009 to a stand-alone family foundation named after its founders, it now supports a range of causes in the Shreveport and Bossier City region, focusing on small, local, innovative, and possibly unpopular programs. The foundation prioritizes projects in education, housing, healthcare, social services, the arts, and community development, and encourages organizations to apply through their online system during specified grant cycles. Grant renewed every year. Annual Fall opening/closing deadline application: August 1st to August 15th. Letter of Intent July 1st to July 21st (optional)

Grant Opportunity: LEH Rebirth Grants Funding Organization: Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) Contact Information: Contact LEH grants staff for assistance Award Details: Grant awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. LEH may award partial amounts. Matching cost share in cash or in kind is required. Eligibility: Humanities-based organizations operating within the 64 parishes of Louisiana are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, public-facing organizations within accredited institutions of higher learning, state and local government agencies, and state or federally recognized Native American tribal governments in Louisiana. Organizations reaching underserved populations are encouraged to apply. Program and Intent: LEH Rebirth Grants support programmatic initiatives focused on the humanities. Eligible projects include public humanities programs, documentary photography, podcast and radio projects, humanities-based festivals and exhibition development, digital humanities projects, speaker series, assistance with publication projects, and humanities-based educational initiatives. Projects must involve the participation of credentialed humanities scholars. Application Timeline: Applications open on April 1 each year, with decisions announced in July. Rebirth project activities should be implemented between September 1 and October 31 of the following year. The application period for 2024 Rebirth Grants is April 1 to May 1, 2024. Funding Guidelines: Humanities scholars must play a central role in all phases of the project. Projects must focus on topics and themes drawn from the humanities or bring the analytical potential of the humanities to bear on current concerns. Programs must provide a balance of viewpoints, target public audiences, involve community representatives, and avoid advocacy and bias. LEH does not fund certain types of projects, such as creative and performing arts, research exclusively for scholarly audiences, scholarships, and political action. Nonprofit status is required, and cost share is expected. Evaluation and final reports are required for funded projects.

This grant provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in the Greater New Orleans area to enhance projects in arts, culture, and education, with a focus on those demonstrating excellence.