FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 2, 2017

Contact: Erin Burns

For Media Inquiries Only
communications@nola.gov
(504) 658-4945

Mayor Landrieu, Greater New Orleans Foundation Donate Over $59,000 Raised for NOLA Pay It Forward Grants

NEW ORLEANS — Today, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced that the City of New Orleans and the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF), will donate $59,200 in grants through the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund to community organizations that are helping those affected by recent hurricanes in Texas, Southeast Louisiana and Florida. To date, $127,200 has been donated from the NOLA Pay It Forward to organizations bringing relief to those affected by recent hurricanes. 

On Aug. 28, 2017, Mayor Landrieu reactivated the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund to contribute to recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey’s impact in Texas and Southwest Louisiana.

“As a city that has had to rebuild after natural disasters, we understand the power of those lending a hand,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “We’re proud to support non-profit organizations in their efforts to bring relief to cities affected by recent hurricanes. Together, we are paying it forward to the communities who need it most.”

“In partnership with Mayor Landrieu, our board of directors raised a significant challenge grant to support the NOLA Pay It Forward Fund,” said Andy Kopplin, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. ”We’re grateful to have the chance to help so many communities that had been so generous to us after Hurricane Katrina, and are particularly proud to fund New Orleans-based nonprofit organizations who are marshalling volunteers from our region and sharing their expertise to help with recovery efforts in Texas and Florida.”

The NOLA Pay It Forward Fund is awarding a total of $59,200 to the following organizations helping areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma:

• Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation is accepting tax-deductible flood relief donations for victims affected by flooding.
• NOLA Tree Project  is deploying volunteers to impacted communities in Houston and Southeast Texas to assist community & faith based organizations to launch volunteer & homeowner resource centers modeled after the St. Paul’s Homecoming Center.
• Rebuilding Together New Orleans is providing assistance and training to sister organizations in Houston. 
• SBP is training people and organizations in long-term recovery efforts.
• Miami Foundation’s Irma Community Recovery Fund is supporting community-based organizations.

The City and GNOF will play a continuous role in supporting the long-term recovery needs of impacted communities. The NOLA Pay It Forward fund is still accepting donations to support those affected by recent hurricanes. 

Those interested in donating to the fund can go online to www.gnof.org/NOLApayitforward. Donors can also contact Allie Betts, donor relations manager at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, at 504-598-4663 or allie@gnof.org.

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NOLA Pay It Forward Fund

Mayor Landrieu launched the NOLA Pay it Forward Fund in May 2011 to contribute to recovery efforts following the Mississippi River flooding disaster. It was also activated in 2012 in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy to support recovery efforts in the northeast, in May 2013 following catastrophic tornadoes in Oklahoma. Most recently, in August 2016, the NOLA Pay it Forward Fund raised $250,000 following the major flooding in Baton Rouge. The fund is housed with the Greater New Orleans Foundation.