Program Highlights

Ford Foundation Grants Reflect Continuing Commitment to Gulf Coast Revitalization

Multi-year commitment will address the region’s long-term needs

NEW YORK, March 13, 2007 — Eighteen months after Hurricane Katrina, Ford Foundation grantees are at work across the Gulf Coast, strengthening the ability of communities to respond to the tremendous challenges of long-term recovery and revitalization.

Together, the foundation's grants help support local leaders across the region, representing many different sectors, who are united in the belief that the rebuilding efforts are an opportunity to create a more healthy, equitable and prosperous region.

The foundation has made a commitment of approximately $23 million for long-term rebuilding efforts and has already made grants to over 64 organizations working for the region.

Ford Foundation funds are supporting efforts to promote economic opportunity, affordable housing, voter and workers' rights; strengthen vital cultural institutions; and increase the capacity of local philanthropy to address ongoing needs. The $23 million in post-Katrina grants builds upon the foundation's extensive history of work addressing poverty, race and the renewal of cultural institutions.

Examples of foundation grantees include:

Foundation for the Mid South – Jackson, MS ($300,000)
Building on its history of support for the Foundation for the Mid South, Ford contributed $300,000 in new funds to help boost the group's capacity to administer a Hurricane Recovery and Restoration Fund. The fund now supports local nonprofit organizations working on the frontlines of community rebuilding efforts.

The Advancement Project – Washington, DC ($600,000)
Ford is supporting the efforts of the Advancement Project to help preserve critical public housing units in the region and to protect and enforce the voting and housing rights of residents who were displaced by the storms.

The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art – Biloxi, MS ($125,000)
As one of the few art museums in Biloxi whose artifacts and archives remained intact after the hurricanes, the museum is using foundation funds to rebuild its staff, exhibition space and programming – ensuring its lasting presence in the region.

Community Foundation of South Alabama – Mobile, AL ($250,000)
A grant from Ford is helping the Community Foundation of South Alabama engage local leaders around a wide-ranging plan to promote economic development throughout Mobile County and surrounding communities.

Serendipity Films – Berkeley, CA ($125,000)
Ford will help cover the post-production and outreach costs for Fauborg Treme, a documentary film that chronicles the history of New Orleans by telling the story of one of the city's historic black communities, both before and after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.