September 15, 2017 | NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) announced an additional $100,000 was raised for the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund . The Greater New Orleans Foundation board raised $50,000, which was matched by $50,000 from the Sherry and Alan Leventhal Family Foundation.
“The people of New Orleans know what it’s like to suffer through a disaster. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to support our non-profit community in bringing relief to the impacted areas. Additionally, we are proud to expand our promotional efforts to encourage more people to make a difference. New Orleans, let’s stand together and pay it forward. It’s our turn.”
Unveiled by Mayor Landrieu, the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund promotional video campaign was released to rally support for the Fund. Along with Mayor Landrieu and GNOF President & CEO Andy Kopplin, partners in the video included Michael Fitts, president of Tulane University; Dr. Walter Kimbrough, president of Dillard University; Andy Kopplin, president & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation; Chris Cameron, executive director of HandsOn New Orleans; Lester Love, pastor of City of Love; and, Andrenecia Morris, executive director of HousingNOLA. The video campaign will begin airing today and can be viewed here.
“We are incredibly grateful to the donors who have contributed to the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund,” said Andy Kopplin, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “Grants from this fund are helping local nonprofit organizations who are sending supplies, recruiting volunteers, and providing relief efforts to those affected by the storms. We’re bringing our expertise to where it’s needed most.”
On Aug. 28, Mayor Landrieu and GNOF reactivated the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund to contribute to recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey’s impact in Texas and Southwest Louisiana. Most recently, the Fund distributed $68,000 which was distributed to local community organizations that are helping those affected by Hurricane Harvey through various relief efforts and initiatives. Hurricane Irma relief efforts are also anticipated.
“It’s our turn to help and we hope that some of the hard lessons we’ve learned during Katrina will help our neighbors experiencing such heartbreaking devastation,” said Connie Uddo, NOLA Tree Project Director, and one of several organizations that received a grant from the NOLA Pay It Forward’s first round of grants.
Those interested in donating to the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund can go online at www.gnof.org/nolapayitforward, or contact Allie Betts, donor relations manager at the Greater New Orleans Foundation at 504-598-4663 or allie@gnof.org. To view the live leaderboard, showing dollars raised in real time, visit www.nolapayitforward.org.