{"id":13464,"date":"2021-12-08T16:03:01","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T22:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gnof.org\/?p=13464"},"modified":"2021-12-08T16:51:47","modified_gmt":"2021-12-08T22:51:47","slug":"foundation-releases-study-on-the-state-of-nonprofits-in-southeast-louisiana-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.communify.me\/gnof\/foundation-releases-study-on-the-state-of-nonprofits-in-southeast-louisiana-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Foundation Releases Study on The State of Nonprofits in Southeast Louisiana 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research was conducted by The University of New Orleans Political Science Department<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

NEW ORLEANS<\/b> \u2013 On December 1st, the Greater New Orleans Foundation (Foundation) <\/span>held a webinar<\/span><\/a> to announce the release of a new study, <\/span>The State of Nonprofits in Southeast Louisiana 2021 – Adaptability And Racial Equity in Year One of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/span><\/a>. The study found that nonprofits successfully adapted to meet the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and that many even expanded their services to support the people of our region. The study also found that while a sizable percentage of nonprofits in Southeast Louisiana have Black and BIPOC executive directors, executive team members, board chairs, and board members, there is still a racial leadership gap within the region\u2019s nonprofit sector, particularly in arts and culture organizations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis study allowed us to examine the health of the nonprofit sector, specifically looking at how nonprofits rose to the occasion and adapted to meet the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also looked at whether we are making progress in achieving greater racial equity in our region and where gaps might exist,\u201d said <\/span>Andy Kopplin, President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation<\/b>. \u201cI remain inspired by the work of nonprofits who ran to the front lines to help our communities get through the pandemic and by the leadership so many in our sector are taking around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This study shows the resilience of our nonprofit sector, the progress we have made, and that there is still much to do,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Click here to watch the webinar.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This is the second study in two years where the Foundation commissioned research by the University of New Orleans Political Science Department (UNO) as a part of its comprehensive response effort to help nonprofits, philanthropy, and civic organizations better understand how nonprofits have adapted in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first that examines racial equity in our region\u2019s nonprofit sector. The study was partially funded by the Greater New Orleans Funders Network.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m grateful that at a time when our community is being confronted with so many critical issues, organizations like the Greater New Orleans Foundation are taking the time to find and fill the gaps,\u201d said <\/span>Judy Reese Morse,<\/b> President and CEO, Urban League of Louisiana <\/b>and a participant in the webinar. \u201cThis study allows us to look in the mirror and see the work we must continue to ensure that our nonprofits have the resources and racial equity approach they need to serve our region.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe study\u2019s data shows that our region\u2019s nonprofits creatively adapted and largely \u201cheld tight\u201d through the first year of the COVID\u201319 pandemic,\u201c said <\/span>Kellie Chavez Greene, Vice President of Programs, Greater New Orleans Foundation<\/b>. The Paycheck Protection Program-forgivable loans had a lot to do with stabilizing the nonprofit sector, and we helped many organizations, especially small nonprofits and those led by leaders of color, access the PPP loans. At the same time there was a surge in funding to support pandemic relief, but now that type of funding is slowing down.\u00a0 At the Greater New Orleans Foundation, we aim to ensure that our nonprofits are ready and able to adjust. This will involve helping them plan for the future, build partnerships, and reimagine how they structure and operate their work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“The results of this study offer a great deal of hope, but also underscore a sense of urgency around the significant work left to do to enhance resilience and racial equity in our region\u2019s nonprofits and in the communities they serve,” said <\/span>Takema Robinson, Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Funders Network (GNOFN) and CEO of Converge<\/b>. This report further underscores that the contributions of leaders of color are vital to fueling long-term growth and economic sustainability for communities of color, which has been an oft-ignored social issue. GNOFN is grateful to our partners at GNOF and UNO for shedding light on our region’s nonprofit sector.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis pandemic has changed the way nonprofits operate and it’s great to see that reflected in this study,\u201d said <\/span>Elise <\/b>Gallinot Goldman<\/b>, Executive Director, KID smART<\/b> and another panelist in the webinar. \u201cAs we work to return to normal, it is essential that the progress we\u2019ve made continues and the gaps that remain continue to have a light shined on them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The State of Nonprofits in Southeast Louisiana 2021 – Adaptability And Racial Equity in Year One of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/span><\/a> was developed from an online survey of nonprofits in the region, and includes baseline nonprofit data, insight into the impact of COVID-19 and racial equity on organizations, as well as how nonprofits across the 13-parish region are responding and resourced amidst COVID-19.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Findings:<\/span><\/h3>\n