The Greater New Orleans Funders Network (GNOFN) is excited to announce a $25,000 grant to Step Up Louisiana to support their voter education and community civic engagement efforts. Step Up Louisiana is deeply committed to community organizing focused on education and economic justice for all Louisianans. Their mission aligns with GNOFN’s dedication to promoting equity and justice in the Greater New Orleans region through philanthropy.
In our ongoing commitment to amplify community voices and foster a brighter future for Greater New Orleans, GNOFN is excited to share two recent resources with our members. We believe that listening to our communities and sharing knowledge are pivotal actions that can help guide our collective philanthropy and maximize our impact.
The GNOFN network brings together philanthropies that are committed to making the Greater New Orleans region healthier and more equitable so our communities can thrive. Together, our members focus on promoting collaboration, learning, and making impactful, collaborative investments.
We are pleased to announce our new board co-chair and welcome our new and returning board members and members!
The Greater New Orleans Funders Network (GNOFN) is dedicated to mobilizing and amplifying philanthropic efforts that advance equity and justice across Southeast Louisiana. By fostering collaboration and shared learning among its members, GNOFN maximizes the impact of investments, driving systemic change and addressing the region’s most pressing challenges.
Central to GNOFN’s approach are its Action Tables, which convene members to explore a range of critical issues facing the community. These member-led groups enable GNOFN to remain flexible and responsive to emerging needs. Recently, the Black Men and Boys Action Table engaged in an in-depth exploration of systemic barriers faced by Black men and boys through a presentation titled A Life Course Framework for Improving the Lives of Boys and Men of Color by Arnold Chandler of Forward Change.
Dear GNOFN Members,
The 2024 Louisiana legislative session has ended. I’m reminded that at this year’s spring convening, GNOFN board co-chair Flozell Daniels highlighted the nuanced challenges that philanthropy faces as ever-changing public policies impact our communities. New laws passed in this year’s session will impact the people we serve across Climate Justice, Criminal Justice, Equitable Development, Health, Black Men & Boys, and Education—each one a focus of our Action Tables. Additionally, significant steps were taken to undermine access to democracy and transparent government. These outcomes point to why GNOFN is so important at this moment, as we push toward the 20th year commemoration of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Centering community voice and needs is a critical aspect of GNOFN’s grantmaking process. Our approach to tackling the pressing needs of the Greater New Orleans community relies on the input and recommendations our members receive from the GNOFN Action Tables. Our work with the New Orleans Youth Alliance (NOYA) gives us a real-life example of how our members utilize GNOFN’s Action Tables to activate their philanthropic efforts.
