22 Agencies to Benefit from Year Four of Program Partnership with Greater New Orleans Foundation
GULFPORT, Miss. (December 14, 2021)— Hancock Whitney—one of the strongest, safest banks in the country—has awarded $400,000 in competitive grants to 22 nonprofit organizations whose work make an incredible difference in the lives of people and communities across the five Gulf Coast states the bank serves.
The 2021 Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grants, funded through the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program, awarded qualifying 501 (c)(3) organizations currently promoting financial health and wellness or affordable housing programs to underserved communities located within Hancock Whitney service areas. Hancock Whitney directed half of the grant funding to organizations serving FEMA-designated disaster areas impacted by Hurricane Ida.
"Year after year Hancock Whitney commits to supporting the organizations that are doing the most good in our local communities,” said Hancock Whitney Community Affairs CRA Manager Ashley Harrison. “This initiative is one way we help ensure our communities are positioned to flourish and thrive. The variety of project applications that came to us this year was both impressive and encouraging, highlighting the critical services nonprofits are providing throughout the Gulf Coast.”
Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative of New Orleans, Louisiana received the top grant award.
Hancock Whitney leaders presented the staff of Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative the top Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant award for 2021.
Other organizations receiving competitive grants this year from Hancock Whitney are:
- Accion Texas, Inc. (Houston, Texas)
- Ashe' Cultural Arts Center (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Beaver Street Enterprise Center (Jacksonville, Florida)
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Emerald Coast (Fort Walton Beach, Florida)
- Catholic Charities (Houma, Louisiana)
- FreshMinistries (Jacksonville, Florida)
- Housing and Education Alliance (Tampa, Florida)
- HousingNOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- lowernine.org (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Moore Community House, Inc. (Biloxi, Mississippi)
- New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Project Build a Future (Lake Charles, Louisiana)
- Providence Community Housing (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Reconcile New Orleans, Inc. (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- SPB (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- STEM NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- Tulane/Canal Neighborhood Development Corporation (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- United Way of Southeast Louisiana (New Orleans, Louisiana)
- United Way of Southwest Alabama (Mobile, Alabama)
- West 30s Redemption Company, Inc. (Covington, Louisiana)
For the fourth consecutive year, The Greater New Orleans Foundation was instrumental in creating awareness about the grants across the Hancock Whitney footprint and managed the grant application process.
“Financial education, workforce development, and affordable housing are key factors to help grow and sustain our communities,” said President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation Andy Kopplin. “Hancock Whitney continues to commit to strategic philanthropic investments to help amplify the efforts of nonprofits throughout our region. We are proud of our continued partnership.”
Hancock Whitney will honor grant recipients at special events and in featured articles throughout 2022.
The Hancock Whitney Opportunity Grant program received numerous applications from organizations committed to financial wellness, economic recovery, and affordable homeownership. Hancock Whitney currently supports non-profit organizations serving 30 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs in the bank’s five-state footprint.
About Hancock Whitney
Since the late 1800s, Hancock Whitney has embodied core values of Honor & Integrity, Strength & Stability, Commitment to Service, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility. Hancock Whitney offices and financial centers in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas offer comprehensive financial products and services, including traditional and online banking; commercial and small business banking; private banking; trust and investment services; healthcare banking; certain insurance services; and mortgage services. The company also operates a loan production office in Nashville, Tennessee. BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank rating and analysis firm, consistently recommends Hancock Whitney as one of America’s most financially sound banks. More information is available at hancockwhitney.com.
About the Greater New Orleans Foundation
With roots extending nearly 100 years, the Greater New Orleans Foundation has over 1,000 different philanthropic funds and assets of $460 million. The Foundation serves the 13 parish region of Southeast Louisiana including Assumption, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Tangipahoa, and Washington. Over 900 nonprofits from the region participate in its annual online giving day, GiveNOLA Day, which has raised over $40 million for nonprofits in the last eight years. The Greater New Orleans Foundation has responded to every disaster since Hurricane Katrina, when it led the Unified Community Planning Effort and a $23 million affordable housing fund. The Foundation distributed nearly $7 million in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has distributed over $3.2 million in response to Hurricane Ida.
Hancock Whitney Media Contact
Ashley Harrison, Community Affairs CRA Manager
ashley.harrison@hancockwhitney.com
504-599-2160
Greater New Orleans Foundation Media Contact
Jeff Schiffman, VP for Communications & Public Affairs
504-598-4663
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