NEW ORLEANS — For the third year in a row, Hancock Whitney, in partnership with the Greater New Orleans Foundation, is offering competitive grant opportunities to help nonprofits broaden community development efforts across the five Gulf South states the bank serves. Funding for the 2020 competitive grant program—which is part of Hancock Whitney’s Community Reinvestment Act program—totals $200,000.
Hancock Whitney will consider grant requests from eligible 501 (c) (3) organizations providing technical assistance and promoting the growth of businesses with revenues of $1 million or less. Nonprofit organizations with programs targeting women and minority owned businesses are encouraged to apply.
The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2020.
“Hancock Whitney is honored to partner again this year with the Greater New Orleans Foundation to offer competitive grants that help nonprofits continue providing invaluable services and resources to businesses that are the lifeblood of the communities we serve—especially during these uncertain economic times,” said Hancock Whitney Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Director Sunada Brookins. “We believe these grants will help area nonprofits continue to make a difference and, in turn, help sustain businesses critical to our local economies.”
The Greater New Orleans Foundation manages the grant application process. Hancock Whitney reviews applications and awards grants to qualifying nonprofits according to a competitive assessment that measures overall community impact.
“GNOF is proud to again partner with Hancock Whitney to help provide grants and support to nonprofits in our region who have weathered the pandemic as well as natural disasters this year,” said President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation Andy Kopplin. “We especially applaud Hancock Whitney for their leadership to invest in nonprofits supporting women and minority owned businesses. These types of philanthropic investments will not only strengthen nonprofits but will also strengthen our small businesses and local economies.”
Hancock Whitney supports 501 (c) (3) organizations serving 30 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and non-MSAs in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Last year 16 nonprofits in five states earned Hancock Whitney competitive grants totaling $200,000.
How to apply
Now through Oct. 31, 2020, eligible 501 (c)(3) organizations located in one of Hancock Whitney’s 30 assessment areas in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas may apply digitally for competitive grants of up to $25,000 through the Greater New Orleans Foundation online application portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=gnof.
All applications are due via the online portal no later than Oct. 31, 2020. The Greater New Orleans Foundation will only accept applications submitted electronically. Applications received after the deadline will be ineligible for review.
The application process requires a tax identification number and includes a review for current standing with the Internal Revenue Service. By submitting a proposal, nonprofit organizations consent to sharing their application, financial information, and other details related to their application with Hancock Whitney and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Application documents are stored electronically.
Learn before applying
The Greater New Orleans Foundation technology partner, Foundant, created a brief tutorial for applicants at https://www.foundant.com/tutorials/. Hancock Whitney and the Foundation strongly encourage all applicants to watch this video before beginning a new application to better understand the application process.
