Louisiana Local Grants

This initiative provides funding and support for youth-led climate projects in New Orleans, empowering young people aged 15 to 24 to lead efforts in sustainability and climate resilience.

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.

Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD), with support from the City of Opelousas, and Opelousas Main Street (OMS), is excited to announce the fifth round of funding for the Building Improvement Grant (BIG) program. Donor Name: City of Opelousas State: Louisiana City: Opelousas Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant program is designed to assist property and business owners in rehabilitating commercial buildings for the purpose of creating a positive visual impact, stimulating private investment and preserving the city’s historic identity and cultural assets. Funding Information This year the program will offer a total of $200,000 in grant funds for selected projects. The maximum amount that can be applied for is $10,000. Eligible Uses of Funds Building Improvement Grants are awarded for tangible and permanent building improvements, inclusive of the following: Restoration/Renovation of building Awnings (without signage) Brick cleaning or re-pointing of brick and other masonry Accent Lighting Removal of deteriorating or inappropriate materials visible from the street Window restoration Door replacement Restoration of original exterior/interior architectural features Interior work related to ceiling repair, electrical, plumbing Work on roofs, cornices, gutters and down spouts Cleaning, preparation and painting of walls and trim For more information, visit City of Opelousas.

Are you between the ages of 15-24 years old? Do you want to make a difference in the New Orleans community? Are you ready to take action on climate change and help the environment? If so, the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) Micro-Grant Program is for you! Donor Name: City of New Orleans State: Louisiana County: Orleans Parish (LA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of New Orleans, in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, has been selected to participate in the Youth Climate Action Fund, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The goal is to activate youth-led initiatives and address urgent climate challenges in the City of New Orleans. All projects must fit within one or more of the following New Orleans Climate Action Plan priorities: Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Nature-Based Solutions, Circular Economy & Waste Reduction and Data, Research & Engagement. Funding Information Successful applicants will receive a micro-grant ranging from $1,000 – $5,000 through the Greater New Orleans Foundation in August/September 2024 to fund their projects. Uses of funds  Funds may be used to cover all project related expenses such as materials, equipment, and community outreach activities. Eligibility Criteria  Open to applicants between the ages of 15-24 years old who reside in Orleans Parish and whose initiatives directly benefit the city of New Orleans. Other Eligibility Requirements: Proposed project application must be submitted by a youth-serving organization that can accept grant funds: Entity must have a 501c3  or fiscal sponsor Must have a bank account in its name and have ability to manage funds. If youth-led group is not an incorporated entity, they may partner with a fiscal agent that can accept and administer funds. For more information, visit City of New Orleans.

The Operating Support Program provides general operating grants to Nonprofit Arts organizations with 501(c)3 designations domiciled in Shreveport whose programming has a major impact on enriching the cultural environment of the City of Shreveport. Donor Name: Shreveport Regional Arts Council State: Louisiana City: Shreveport Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: An Arts Organization is one that includes in its mission statement, as adopted by the board of directors, that providing arts activities to the public is primary to its mission, and it is defined as a private organization whose purpose, programs, and services are primarily arts related. Funding Information This category provides support for organizations whose annual cash income budget for mission-related activities is more than $25,000 and less than $500,000. Due to funding availability, the maximum operating support grant amount is $15,000. For Example: Your organization’s actual income the year prior to this request was $200,000, your total eligibility is $10,000. Funding Period Applications for Arts programming should occur between September 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. Uses of Funds Grant funds are available to cover overhead operating expenses, such as personnel salaries, rental space, utilities, general marketing expenses, and supplies. Eligibility Criteria The organization must be officially domiciled and operating in the City of Shreveport. The organization’s official address is registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State and located in Caddo Parish, as indicated on the Certificate of Incorporation. All nonprofit organizations must be in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State and Louisiana Legislative Auditor to be considered eligible. Nonprofit tax-exempt organizations registered as nonprofit with the Louisiana Secretary of State, or with 501(c)(3) status with the IRS are eligible. Nonprofit status must be current and in good standing at the time of the application deadline. The Arts Organization must have an active registration in SAM.gov AND a UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFER (UEI) at the time of application. For more information, visit SRAC.

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.

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.