A new foundation based in New Orleans is offering up to $40,000 in grants to support local nonprofits focused on hunger relief and education equity.
The Shapiro Family Foundation opened its first grant cycle this week, targeting community organizations that serve low-income and under-resourced populations. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded for 12-month projects addressing food insecurity or barriers to education access. Applications are open now through August 1, with funding decisions to be announced in September.
Foundation leaders say the initiative is designed to support organizations already embedded in the communities they serve—groups with firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing local families.
“This foundation isn’t just an extension of our family’s values—it’s personal for me,” said Allie Shapiro Dandry, the foundation’s executive director. “I grew up understanding the importance of community investment, and this foundation is an opportunity to directly influence meaningful change in the city we love.
While the foundation is new, its roots are local. The Shapiro family has been involved in civic and charitable work in New Orleans for years, supporting causes ranging from education to disaster relief. The foundation is seen as a way to focus those efforts more strategically.
“We envision a Louisiana where every family has access to nutritious food, every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed and every community has the tools to thrive,” says Dan Shapiro. “The Shapiro Family Foundation is rooted in our family’s legacy of service and civic leadership, andwe believe that sustainable change is built through collaboration, trust and a deep understanding of local needs.”
Funding will be prioritized for nonprofits with a clear plan to address systemic barriers and deliver measurable outcomes in hunger relief or educational access. More information and the application portal are available at shapirofamilyfoundation.com.
READ MORE:New Foundation Launches to Support Hunger and Education Programs in New Orleans
