KEY TAKEAWAYS: Shapiro Family Foundation awarded more than $85,000 in grants and other investments to New Orleans-area nonprofits. Five organizations received $10,000 Nourish Flourish Grants focused on community needs. Clover New Orleans and Early Partners each received $10,000 Community Impa ct Awards. The foundation has invested more than $200,000 in nonprofits since launching in 2025.   The Shapiro Family Foundation awarded more than $85,000 in grants and other investments to New Orleans-area nonprofits this week, supporting organizations focused on hunger relief, education, healthcare and community services. The foundation announced its 2026 Nourish Flourish Grant recipients September 29 during its second annual grant reception at Clover New Orleans’ Patrick F. Taylor Campus. The awards are part of more than $100,000 the foundation said it has contributed to local organizations this year and more than $200,000 invested since the New Orleans-based foundation launched in 2025. Five nonprofits received $10,000 Nourish Flourish Grants: Edible Schoolyard New Orleans, Grace at the Green Light, the Health and Education Alliance of Louisiana, the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and VIA LINK. The organizations provide services ranging from food and health education to homelessness assistance, youth advocacy and crisis support. “These organizations represent the very best of what makes our community strong,” founder and Executive Director Allison Shapiro Dandry said. “They are meeting urgent needs while also creating pathways to healthier, more stable futures. We want our philanthropy to be more than writing a check — we want to know our partners, understand what they need and help strengthen the work they are already doing.” The foundation also presented $10,000 Community Impact Awards to Clover New Orleans and Early Partners, renewing its support for the two organizations. Clover provides education, family services and other community programs, while Early Partners focuses on early childhood education and kindergarten preparation. The foundation also introduced a new category of funding this year called Lagniappe Grants. The grants are intended to help nonprofits cover unexpected or urgent expenses that could affect their ability to provide services. New Orleans Mission, which provides shelter, meals and other services to people experiencing homelessness and crisis, and Arete Scholars, which provides need-based scholarships for K-12 students, were selected as the first Lagniappe Grant recipients. Other organizations supported by the foundation during 2025 and 2026 include Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans Acadiana, KID smART, the American Heart Association, the New Orleans Ballet Association and the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s GiveNOLA Day. The foundation also recognized Toups Family Meal and founders Amanda and Isaac Toups for their work addressing childhood hunger and assisting New Orleans families. During the reception, the foundation provided an update on the Toups Family Meal Kitchen, which it donated to the organization. The new kitchen is expected to expand food preparation capacity and allow Toups Family Meal to serve more people. Founded in 2025, the Shapiro Family Foundation focuses its philanthropy on hunger relief and educational access and equity in the New Orleans area. The foundation expects to open its next Nourish Flourish grant cycle in spring 2027. ...read more read less