Community Assistance Fund

Community Assistance Fund (CAF)

The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is proud to support nonprofit organizations advancing the wellbeing of women across the Greater New Orleans area through our Community Assistance Fund (CAF).

Each year, CAF grants provide targeted funding to organizations whose programs align with JLNO’s mission and focus areas. Grants up to $20,000 are available to support programming in one or more of JLNO’s focus areas:

Economic Opportunity – Supporting women’s potential to seize economic opportunities
Physical & Mental Health – Improving women’s health to live healthier, happier lives
Family Assistance – Providing family support that alleviates burdens on women caregivers

2025 Community Assistance Fund Grant Recipients

JLNO is pleased to announce the 2025–2026 Community Assistance Fund grant recipients who each received $5,000:

Streetside Library | Bringing books and literacy programs directly to women, children, and families in crisis, Streetside Library builds micro-libraries in shelters and hosts pop-up reading events for underserved communities.

Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund (DSEF) | Through GIRLS NOLA, DSEF combines mentorship, integrative arts, and gamification to educate adolescent girls about sexual and reproductive health, mental health, and leadership.

ECCO | ECCO equips first-generation and female-identifying Latina students with mentorship, financial literacy, test prep, and STEM career exploration through it’s Camino a la Universidad and Pioneras en STEM programs.

Youth Run NOLA | Youth Run NOLA provides free school and park-based wellness programs, coaching girls to build confidence, teamwork skills, and lifelong healthy habits through running.

These organizations were selected through a competitive review process for their strong alignment with JLNO’s mission and their meaningful impact on women and families in our community.

In the News:

New Orleans Magazine | Junior League of New Orleans Awards $20,000 in Community Assistance Fund Grants

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for funding, an organization must:

Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization
Be based in or serve the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area
Have not received JLNO funding in the past 12 months
Submit a complete application by the deadline
Request funding for a specific and stated program or project that supports one or more of JLNO’s focus areas
Not request funding for ineligible expenses (e.g., salaries, marketing, travel, overhead)

To maintain alignment with our mission and funding priorities, JLNO will not consider grant requests that include the following:

Organizations located outside the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area (unless the request directly serves individuals within the metro area)
Sponsorships for special events or fundraisers
Religious instruction, worship services, or faith-based teaching
Political campaigns, endorsements, or lobbying activities
Travel expenses (including transportation, lodging, and per diem)
Fundraising contributions or donations
Marketing, branding, or advertising expenses
Overhead costs, including but not limited to staff salaries, utilities, rent, or taxes
Capital campaigns or building/facility renovations
Any organization with an existing project currently funded by the Junior League of New Orleans

All funding requests must be for a specific and clearly defined project or program, with broad community benefit and direct alignment to JLNO’s mission of advancing the wellbeing of women.

Application Expectations

Applicants must confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
As part of the final review process, finalist applicants may be contacted by members of the Community Assistance Fund Committee to participate in a brief site visit or virtual interview. These visits allow JLNO to gain a deeper understanding of the program, its impact, and how the requested funds would be used.

Site visits or interviews will be scheduled in late August through early September 2025, prior to final funding decisions. Organizations should ensure availability during this timeframe and provide a point of contact for scheduling when completing the application.

If selected, organizations must complete follow-up evaluations at 6 and 12 months post-award.
JLNO requires public recognition of the grant on at least one platform, such as social media, newsletters, or donor pages.
Grant recipients will be publicly recognized and must attend the JLNO General Membership Meeting (GMM) on October 21, 2025, where awards will be presented in person.

For questions or more information, contact the CAF Committee at caf@jlno.org.

Interested in Applying?

Eligible organizations are encouraged to check back for updates on the next CAF application cycle or register your interest HERE to receive notification when applications open.

For questions or additional information, please contact the CAF Committee at caf@jlno.org.