Louisiana Workforce Development Grants

This funding opportunity supports Louisiana-based nonprofit organizations in launching collaborative initiatives to address complex health issues and improve community well-being across the state.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Orleans Parish that create outdoor, nature-based programs for at-risk youth aged 10–18, fostering environmental stewardship and essential life skills.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Greater New Orleans area that promote equality and improve the quality of life for LGBTQ individuals and families, particularly those from marginalized groups.

This program provides free resources and training to help micro and small business owners in select Louisiana parishes, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, grow and sustain their enterprises.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Central Louisiana to recruit, support, and place mental health professionals in underserved communities, addressing the shortage of Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist cultural organizations in Louisiana in strengthening their emergency preparedness and response strategies to better withstand the impacts of natural disasters.

This funding program provides financial support to early childhood education centers and family child care providers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, to expand and improve their facilities, ensuring more quality learning opportunities for children from low to moderate-income households.

This grant provides $5,000 in unrestricted funds to BIPOC artists and culture bearers in Louisiana to support their creative practices and overall wellbeing.

This initiative provides support and resources to help minority- and woman-owned businesses in Louisiana grow and scale their operations effectively.

The Community Foundation of North Louisiana Primary Grants are typically awarded to existing organizations with annual revenue of $250,000 or more. Donor Name: Community Foundation of North Louisiana State: Louisiana County: Bossier Parish (LA), Caddo Parish (LA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/21/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Program Areas  The proposed program must align with one of the following program areas: Civic Engagement Economic Development Education Environment Health & Science Human Services Organizational Development. Grant Period The proposed program must begin no earlier than June 1, 2025 and end no later than December 31, 2026. Program length must be 12 months or less. Eligibility Criteria Geographic Area: Programs must serve Caddo and/or Bossier Parishes. IRS status: All applicants must have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code or be described as an appropriate grantee for a community foundation under the IRS Code. An organization must have received its 501(c)(3) ruling letter from the IRS prior to applying for funding. Audit: If the organization’s prior year actual gross revenue was less than $750,000, a current financial compilation or review must be submitted with the letter of intent. If the organization’s prior year actual gross revenue was $750,000 or more, a current audit must be submitted with the letter of intent. Form 990: All applicants must be in good standing with the IRS regarding their Form 990 filing requirements.  A copy of the organization’s most recent Form 990 must be submitted as part of the Stage Two grant application. For more information, visit CFNL.

Impact 59 Powered by Entergy is the Super Bowl LIX Legacy Program, aimed at creating a lasting philanthropic and economic impact in the Greater New Orleans community. This initiative is a collaboration between the NFL Foundation, New Orleans Super Bowl LIX Host Committee, Entergy Charitable Foundation, New Orleans Saints, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, NOLA Coalition, and Ochsner Health. The program will award a minimum of $3 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations. Grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 will support projects focused on Youth Development, Workforce Training, Education, Health & Wellness, and Equity & Inclusion. Eligible applicants are nonprofits operating in specified parishes, with grants targeting various community needs. Eligible organizations must have 501c3 or equivalent nonprofit status for at least 24 months prior to application, and must demonstrate financial health through specified financial reports. Applications must be submitted online by August 23, 2024. Organizations can apply for one program grant, and collaborative projects must choose a fiscal agent for submission. The program emphasizes support for organizations with a non-discrimination policy and local schools addressing community-focused needs beyond their typical scope.

The Rapides Foundation is seeking applications for its Workforce Opportunity Grant Program. Donor Name: The Rapides Foundation State: Louisiana County: Allen Parish (LA), Avoyelles Parish (LA), Catahoula Parish (LA), Grant Parish (LA), LaSalle Parish (LA), Natchitoches Parish (LA), Rapides Parish (LA), Vernon Parish (LA), Winn Parish (LA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Rapides Foundation believes that lower and middle household income levels must rise for the standard of living to increase for all income levels. Healthy economies with low unemployment rates and higher wage jobs provide people with the means to purchase medical insurance, make better healthcare choices and live healthier lifestyles. The goal of the funding opportunity is to increase skills and knowledge of potential employees or existing employees that will require higher wages and to increase the production capacity of business or industry partners. The mission of The Rapides Foundation is to improve the health status of Central Louisiana. The Rapides Foundation focuses its work in three strategic areas: Healthy People, to improve access to healthcare and to promote healthy behaviors; Education, to increase the level of educational attainment and achievement as the primary path to improved economic, social and health status; and Healthy Communities, to improve economic opportunity and family income, and enhance civic and community opportunities for more effective leaders and organizations. Funding Information Grant provides up to $75,000. Grant Period  Grant provides up to 12 months Period. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible grant recipients include accredited, nonprofit, postsecondary institutions. Trainings must benefit businesses and employees located within The Rapides Foundation’s nine-parish service area (Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn parishes). Applicants should thoroughly review the Request for Proposals and other key documents included in the Key Materials section (located in the right column) to see full details of the grant opportunity, application process and proposal requirements. For more information, visit The Rapides Foundation.

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.

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.