Awards support organizations advancing mental, physical and financial health
GULFPORT, Miss. (January 9, 2024)—Twenty-five non-profit organizations across the Gulf South are starting the New Year with additional funding to meet the physical, mental and financial health needs of local communities. Through Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant awards, these organizations will be more equipped to expand access to critical services that help alleviate health disparities and provide socioeconomic support to underserved and low to moderate-income populations.
Hancock Whitney Bank has awarded a total of $225,000 in competitive grants to organizations across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. The Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grants are funded through the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program.
“Funding a network of health advocates and partners is a key piece of creating a more just and equitable region,” said Hancock Whitney Senior Manager, Community Development Programs, Ashley Aubrey Harrison. “We firmly believe that there is a correlation between improved health and financial stability, and hope these grant funds are just one more way to strengthen communities across the Gulf South. This year’s impressive list of winners are community pillars, making strides to ensure all people have the tools, resources and support to reach their wellness goals.”
Top grant award winners for each respective category include Families Helping Families NOLA of New Orleans, Louisiana for mental health, Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center of Lakeland, Florida for physical health and Manatee County Habitat for Humanity of Bradenton, Florida for financial health.
Other organizations receiving competitive grants from Hancock Whitney are:
Mental Health
Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Center (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas (Beaumont, Texas)
Center for Resilience (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Communities in Schools of San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)
Heart Gallery of Tampa (Tampa, Florida)
Hope Haven Children’s Advocacy Center (Waveland, Mississippi)
Personal Enrichment through Mental Health Services (PEMHS), Inc. (Pinellas Park, Florida)
Ransom Ministries, Inc. (Chickasaw, Alabama)
Veterans Recovery Resources (Mobile, Alabama)
Physical Health
Children’s Volunteer Health Network (Santa Rosa Beach, Florida)
Coastal Family Health Center, Inc. (Biloxi, Mississippi)
Magnolia Community Services (Jefferson, Louisiana)
Ronald McDonald House Charities Tampa Bay, Inc. (Tampa, Florida)
Financial Health
Back Bay Mission (Biloxi, Mississippi)
Coastal Communities Consulting (Gretna, Louisiana)
Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West (Mandeville, Louisiana)
Housing & Education Alliance (Tampa, Florida)
Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Mercy Housing and Human Development (Gulfport, Mississippi)
Metropolitan Ministries (Tampa, Florida)
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (New Orleans, Louisiana)
St. Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. (St. Petersburg, Florida)
The Greater New Orleans Foundation was instrumental in creating awareness about the grants across the Hancock Whitney footprint and managed the grant application process.
“We take pride in once again partnering with Hancock Whitney as they continue making impactful investments throughout our region,” said President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation Andy Kopplin. “At The Greater New Orleans Foundation, we champion strategic philanthropic efforts and look forward to seeing the positive impacts this year’s recipients make across the Gulf South.”
Hancock Whitney received and considered 284 grant applications before determining recipients.
"Our applicants are outstanding, and our winners are bright, shining forces for wellness opportunities in their respective communities. Hancock Whitney thanks and recognizes all grant applicants and celebrates the grant winners. As we continue to expand our community development efforts, we'll look for more opportunities to partner with organizations in the communities we serve," added Harrison,
Hancock Whitney currently supports non-profit organizations serving 31 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and non- MSAs in the bank’s footprint.
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