Louisiana Capacity Building Grants

This grant provides funding to United Methodist churches and affiliated organizations in Louisiana for innovative community programs that promote ministry, connection, and disaster preparedness.

This funding program provides financial support to individuals and organizations in New Orleans that promote cultural education, events, and capacity-building within the local creative sectors.

The Jazz & Heritage Presenting Grant supports job opportunities for Louisiana performing artists through financial support to local nonprofit organizations to facilitate the hiring of Louisiana-based performers for festivals and public cultural events within the state. Donor Name: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation State: Louisiana Parish: All Parishes Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The purpose of this grant category is to support Louisiana-based arts nonprofit organizations that create employment opportunities – such as festivals, concerts, and other cultural events – for Louisiana-based musicians and other performing artists at events that take place in Louisiana. This grant can only be applied to live public performance fees paid to musicians, dancers, actors and other onstage performers. The grant may not be applied to fees paid to nonperforming artists, such as composers, choreographers, directors or other artistic contributors. The grant may not be used for staff, technical or other support personnel, equipment, rentals, facilities or other services. Funding Information The maximum amount grant amount is $7,500. Grant Period The proposed activity funded by this grant must occur between Sept. 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025. Eligibility Requirements  This grant category is open to 501(c)(3) organizations or registered Louisiana nonprofits who may use a 501(c)(3) nonprofit as a fiscal agent. Individuals and commercial organizations are not eligible. Only applications to fund programs and activities that align with the mission of the Jazz & Heritage Foundation will be considered. Mission: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. promotes, preserves, perpetuates and encourages the music, culture and heritage of communities in Louisiana through festivals, programs and other cultural, educational, civic and economic activities For more information, visit NOJHF.

The Climate Action Equity Project (CAEP) Advisory Group will be distributing grants, via the Greater New Orleans Foundation, to organizations working on equitable climate action projects that will further the goals listed in the Taking Steps Together for Equity & Climate. Donor Name: Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) State: Louisiana County: Jefferson Parish (LA), Orleans Parish (LA), Plaquemines Parish (LA), Saint Bernard Parish (LA), Saint Charles Parish (LA), Saint James Parish (LA), Saint John the Baptist Parish (LA), Saint Tammany Parish (LA), Tangipahoa Parish (LA), Washington Parish (LA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priority Areas  Modernize the energy use Improve transportation choices Reduce waste Create culture that supports workforce and small business opportunities in climate action Organizations must be located in New Orleans and be led by and/or have established partnerships with residents of underserved neighborhoods. The Climate Action Equity Program will support: General operations Programs Advocacy, including legislative, judicial, or executive advocacy; community organizing; campaigns; leadership development; and policy development Capacity building, including technology needs and support, collaboration, professional development, communications training, organizational effectiveness, and evaluation and research Funding Information Expected grant size is $5,000 to $10,000; grants may be larger or smaller. Eligibility Criteria  Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that serve within the Greater New Orleans area are eligible to apply for funding. Organizations that are not tax-exempt but have a fiscal agent relationship with a 501(c)(3) organization are also eligible. Smaller organizations and organizations with limited to no experience with the grant application process are especially encouraged to fill out the interest form, and there will be support available for completing this application. Grant Award Process  The Climate Action Equity Project Advisory Group will review all applications and recommend grants to be approved. The committee reviewing grant applications shall consist of representatives of the foundation’s Environmental Programs team, as well as community leaders and leaders of local groups with expertise in transportation, renewable and efficient energy, small business and workforce development, and waste reduction. Applications will be evaluated based on the following: Does the project and/or organization meet basic eligibility criteria? Does the project and/or organization meet the general and specific guidelines outlined above? How will the program or project be evaluated or its impact measured? The proposed plan or strategy for use of the funds? Is the organization networking, coordinating, cooperating, or collaborating with underserved communities? For more information, visit GNOF.

The City of Shreveport, through its Department of Community Development, is pleased to announce the availability of this Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) for Affordable Rental Housing Proposals. Donor Name: City of Shreveport State: Louisiana City: Shreveport Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/17/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This opportunity is made possible through funding consideration under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME ARP). The purpose of this Notice of Funding Availability (“NOFA”) is to solicit proposals from experienced and established agencies. Only responders with demonstrated knowledge and experience in developing affordable housing, operating non-congregate or transitional housing, supportive service programs and having extensive experience with federal policies, procedures, and programs need to apply to this solicitation. The City of Shreveport will not fund more than three qualified entities to provide affordable rental housing development, rehabilitation, to qualified populations based on the eligible uses outlined in The City of Shreveport’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Eligible Activities  Based on the information obtained from the community survey, focus groups and community consultations, HOME-ARP has been elected to fund the following activities under this NOFA: Production or Preservation of Affordable Housing New construction or rehabilitation – of property intended to provided HOME-ARP rental housing for a minimum of 15 years. Property acquisition – must be undertaken only with respect to a particular housing project intended to provide HOME-ARP rental housing for a minimum of 15 years. Acquisition of vacant land – must be undertaken only with respect to a particular housing project intended to provide HOME-ARP rental housing for a minimum of 15 years. Qualifying Populations HOME-ARP funds must be used to primarily benefit individuals or families from the following qualifying populations: Homeless, as defined in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)). At-risk of homelessness, as defined in section 401(1) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360(1)). Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, as defined by the Secretary. In other populations where providing supportive services or assistance under section 212(a) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability. Eligibility Criteria  The City will accept applications from the following qualified and experienced housing development organizations: Not -For-Profit Organizations For-Profit Organizations Public Agencies Partnerships between the same. In addition to the items listed in the Minimum Eligibility Statement and Requirements, applicant entity must also meet the following criteria: Be organized and existing to do business in the State of Louisiana, or if organized in another state, must be qualified to do business in the State of Louisiana. Demonstrate at least three (3) years of related housing development and management experience in Louisiana. For the purposes of this program, “related housing experience” means the development, ownership, and management of affordable rental housing. Demonstrate the financial capacity necessary to undertake, complete, and manage the proposed project, as demonstrated by its ability to own, construct, or rehabilitate and manage and operate affordable rental housing. The City will evaluate the experience of the entire proposed team with owning, developing, and managing projects of similar size and scope serving the intended population proposed. Applicants and their development team must undergo an evaluation by the City of their capacity before the applicant may qualify as an eligible (“Recipient”). Have demonstrated understanding of the Federal, State and local housing programs used in conjunction with HOME funds to ensure compliance with all applicable program requirements and regulations. Certify that HOME-ARP Units will comply with Program requirements during the entire period that begins upon selection and ending upon the conclusion of all HOME funded compliance or Affordability Periods. Applicant must not debarred or excluded from receiving federal assistance prior to selection or entering into the grant contract with the City. For more information, visit City of Shreveport.

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.

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.