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 fundraising year.
2023-2024 Freeman Challenges Cohort
This cohort is currently fundraising to reach their goals. They have until December 31, 2024, to rise to the challenge and meet their match.
Endowment Challenge
The Foundation for Terrebonne General Health System: Promotes the health and well-being of the citizens of South Louisiana regardless of socio-economic status, race, gender, age, or disability.
Goal: To raise $50,000 to be matched with $25,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Friends of Beauregard-Keyes House: Educates the public about the historical significance of BK House & Gardens, demonstrates the importance of historic preservation, and strives to raise community awareness of New Orleans cultural heritage.
Goal: To raise $150,000 to be matched with $75,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Youth Empowerment Project: Empowers young people to improve their lives and the lives of others.
Goal: To raise $150,000 to be matched with $75,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge
The Ella Project: Empowers creators to share their culture in a way that is just, equitable, and serves the artist, patron, and our diverse community.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for The Ella Project Board Reserve Challenge.
Innocence Project New Orleans: Frees innocent people sentenced to life in prison and those serving unjust sentences.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for Stand for Justice, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
Sankofa Community Development Corporation: Builds healthier communities for generations to come through a commitment to sustainable, health-centered development to revitalize the historic, primarily African American Lower Ninth Ward area of New Orleans using a model of equity and justice.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Sankofa CDC Board-Restricted Cash Reserve Campaign.
2021-2022 Grantees
Endowment Challenge
Educators for Quality Alternatives: Provides struggling students with the skills, confidence, and experiences necessary to succeed in the education and career paths of their choice.
Goal: To raise $100,000 to be matched with $50,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation: Cultivates and promotes Hispanic heritage within the New Orleans community and the greater region.
Goal: To raise $50,000 to be matched with $25,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR): Increases the reading skills and self-esteem of lower elementary school students.
Goal: To raise $50,000 to be matched with $25,000 from the Freeman Challenges to establish an endowment.
Board-Restricted Reserve Challenge
YAYA: Empowers creative young people through visual arts education combined with entrepreneurial, leadership, and life skills training.
Goal: To raise $20,000 to be matched with $10,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the YAYA Board Reserve Challenge.
Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation: Grows and supports entrepreneurs to tackle social and environmental disparities in five areas of focus: community economic development, education, food, health, and water.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation Board Reserve Challenge.
Promise of Justice Initiative: Creates positive change for people in the criminal legal system at the intersection of impact litigation, direct services, and community engagement.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Promise of Justice Initiative Freeman Challenge Board-Restricted Cash Reserve.
Operation Restoration: Supports women and girls impacted by incarceration to recognize their full potential, restore their lives, and discover new possibilities.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Operation Restoration Freeman Challenge Board-Restricted Cash Reserve.
Cathedral Montessori School: Prepares students for a life of independent and self-directed learning in a community that fosters a love of knowledge, pride in individual differences, and harmonious relationships with the social and natural environment.
Goal: To raise $30,000 to be matched with $15,000 from the Freeman Challenges for the Cathedral Montessori School Freeman Challenge Board-Restricted Cash Reserve.
2019-2020 Grantees
Endowment Challenge
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.
Applying for a Freeman Challenge is a three-step process. Revisit Steps 1 or 2 below: