Step 3

Rising to the Challenge

Freeman Challenges grantees have 12 months to fundraise to meet their required match. Grantees receive technical assistance and peer-learning support throughout the year.

2020-2021 Grantees

The Foundation Recognizes Eight Nonprofits as Freeman Challenges Grantees

Photo credit: Chuck Billiot 

On January 31, the Greater New Orleans Foundation announced that eight nonprofit organizations were recognized as Richard West Freeman Endowment and Board-Restricted Cash Reserve Challenges (Freeman Challenges) grantees. Since its inception in 2000, the Freeman Challenges have awarded matching grants to nonprofits in the 13-parish region to help these organizations establish an endowment or board-restricted reserve. Having a reserve or endowment puts nonprofits in a position of financial strength and stability to weather whatever financial storms lie ahead. 

The Freeman Challenges grantees are:
Endowment  

  • New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation
  • Educators for Quality Alternatives
  • Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR)

Board-Restricted Reserve 

  • YAYA
  • Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation
  • Promise of Justice Initiative
  • Operation Restoration
  • Cathedral Montessori School

To date, the Freeman Challenges have granted a total of $933,000 to 74 nonprofits in the region. The grantees raise $2 dollars for every dollar awarded, resulting in more than $1.8 million in additional funds that have been leveraged in the Freeman Challenges for a total of over $2.7 million.

The Freeman Challenges is held every other year. For grantees, year one is the readiness year with grantmaking in December. Year two is the fundraising year. Nonprofits selected for the program have one year to raise the match to receive the grant funds.  

The Freeman Challenges provides grantees with capacity-building workshops that assess their readiness to fundraise and help them prepare their fundraising plans.

2019-2020 Grantees

Endowment Challenge

Bastion Community of Resilience: An intentional community in which wounded, ill, or injured veterans live alongside retired military and civilian volunteers.
Goal: To raise $150,000 to be matched with $75,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.

Kingsley House: Educates children, strengthens families and builds community.
Goal: To raise $150,000 to be matched with $75,000 from the Freeman Challenges for their 125th Anniversary Endowment Challenge.

Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL): Their mission is to drive bold, science-based action to sustain a dynamic coastal Louisiana through engagement and advocacy.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Building Long-Term Financial Stability and Independence in Support of Our Coast Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge.

Dancing Grounds: A multigenerational arts space that brings inclusive and accessible dance programs to New Orleans residents of all ages
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Dancing Grounds Board-Restricted Reserve Fund.

Innocence Project New Orleans: Frees innocent, life-sentenced prisoners, supports clients living well and fully in the world after their release, and advocates for sensible criminal justice policies that reduce wrongful convictions.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Innocence Project New Orleans Board-Restricted Reserve Fund.

Kid SmART: Engages children in dynamic, creative and rigorous learning through the arts
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Root & Reach Stretch Goal.

Live Oak Wilderness Camp: Brings summer camp to life all year long with fun, friendship, and leadership development to connect a diverse community of outstanding New Orleans kids.
Goal: To raise $10,000 to be matched with $5,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Live Oak Wilderness Camp Board-Restricted Reserve Fund.

New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation: Making New Orleans a safer place in which to live, work and visit–accomplished by promoting excellence in policing, efficiency in criminal justice and positive community engagement.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Celebrating 25 Years of Putting Public Safety 1st Board-Restricted Reserve.

South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center: Revolutionizing how we think, teach and learn about Louisiana’s disappearing coast with programming focused on developing adaptation skills in young people.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center Board-Restricted Reserve.

Youth Run NOLA: Creates and empowers a community of healthy, young leaders through running.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Youth Run NOLA Board-Restricted Reserve.