Unified Summer Grants Collaborative
Summer is a unique time to provide extra care and learning opportunities. ELF helps to provide low or no cost options for children of all ages to go to camp.
“Across all neighborhoods, we want kids to enjoy themselves and keep learning each summer.” - Kristin Shannon
Access to group funding with one simple application
Each summer since 2006, Emeril Lagasse Foundation has taken special initiatives to fund programs during the summer months when children were out of school. Emeril Lagasse Foundation partners with Greater New Orleans Afterschool Partnership, United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area, and other national foundations in this collaborative to allow camps to request funding from multiple sources with a single application. In reviewing the grant applications, ELF funds those organizations that demonstrate objectives in line with its mission and a strong potential for future partnership. Camps all over Greater New Orleans received either partial or whole funding, offering safe and constructive programs to the youth of French Quarter, Treme, Warehouse District, Freret St., Uptown, Carrollton/Riverbend, Gentilly, N.O. East, Chalmette, Harvey, Central City, Harahan, Gretna and Bywater.
During summer 2010, this collaboration is enhanced as Second Harvest pilots a Summer Feeding Program, through which it will prepare and deliver fresh healthy meals to summer program sites. Through the Unified Summer Grants Collaborative, a large need for meals was identified, as of the over 90% of school children who participate in free and reduced lunch in New Orleans, only 13% of these will have a similar option to find meals in the summer.