Nola Business Alliance
Nola Business Alliance, based in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Form 990 public charity and the city’s official economic development organization. The organization says it works to grow the New Orleans economy through inclusive economic development, business attraction and retention, small-business growth, workforce development, and neighborhood development.
Nola Business Alliance at a glance
In short: Nola Business Alliance gave $1.1M across 11 grants in 2023 (avg $102K), mostly in Louisiana. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $1,118,000
- -18.4% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 11
- -26.7% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $101,636
- +11.3% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $4,536,164
- +3.2% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2023; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Nola Business Alliance
- Contact
Mailing address: 1250 Poydras Street Suite 2150, New Orleans, LA 70113
Phone: (504) 934-4500
Website: https://nolaba.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Nola Business Alliance funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Thrive Nola ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 10 grants of 26 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2023 went to recipients in Louisiana. The listed 2023 grantees were in New Orleans, Louisiana. The organization’s stated economic-development mission and programs focus on New Orleans and Orleans Parish.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
How Nola Business Alliance gives
- 64% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2023) to $2.3M (2020). In 2023 it made 11 grants totaling $1.1M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Thrive Nola New Orleans, LA | Development | $250,000 |
| Youthforce Nola New Orleans, LA | Development | $175,000 |
| City of New Orleans New Orleans, LA | Development | $128,000 |
| Newcorp New Orleans, LA | Development | $110,000 |
| Propeller New Orleans, LA | Development | $100,000 |
| The Water Collaborative of GNO New Orleans, LA | Development | $100,000 |
| Delgado Community College New Orleans, LA | Development | $75,000 |
| Trufund Financial Services New Orleans, LA | Development | $60,000 |
| Good Work Network New Orleans, LA | Development | $50,000 |
| Urban League of Louisiana New Orleans, LA | Development | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Nola Business Alliance?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $4,536,164 | $3,743,763 | $4,447,471 | $1,118,000 | 11 | $19,102 |
| 2022 | $4,394,444 | $4,026,850 | $5,644,705 | $1,369,593 | 15 | $4,895 |
| 2021 | $6,555,386 | $7,098,750 | $4,997,365 | $1,178,954 | Total only | $4,133 |
| 2020 | $4,300,032 | $7,622,462 | $8,369,942 | $2,276,344 | Total only | $15,724 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to help create an economy for all New Orleanians, where people are financially secure and prosperous through growth and opportunity and by reducing economic disparity. Its 2023 filing describes work to attract companies, retain and expand existing businesses, and develop retail growth. The filing also describes a neighborhood-development pilot supporting businesses and commercial corridors in seven Orleans Parish neighborhoods, a youth project connecting people ages 16–24 to employment opportunities, and an AdvancingCities program focused on investment strategies in the blue-green infrastructure industry.
The Alliance’s 2023 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. YouthForce NOLA says it equips young people to graduate high school on a path to career success. Good Work Network describes its mission as catalyzing the success of minority- and women-owned businesses. The Urban League of Louisiana says it works to empower communities, eliminate barriers to opportunity, and help people attain economic self-sufficiency.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2023, the Alliance reported 11 grants totaling $1,118,000. Grant amounts ranged from $20,000 to $250,000, with a median of $100,000. Each listed grant’s stated purpose was “development.”
The largest grants were $250,000 to Thrive NOLA, $175,000 to YouthForce NOLA, $128,000 to the City of New Orleans, $110,000 to NewCorp, and $100,000 each to Propeller and The Water Collaborative of GNO. Other 2023 recipients were Delgado Community College ($75,000), TruFund Financial Services ($60,000), Good Work Network ($50,000), Urban League of Louisiana ($50,000), and Metro-Source Inc. ($20,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Normal Barnum as President/CE, Louis David as Interim President, and Lynette White-Colin as Senior VP SM. It also lists Sheila Burns, Jean-Guy Celestin, Andrea Chen, Gregory Curtis, Dr. Takeisha Davis, and Kim Boyle Esq. as board members, and Latoya Cantrell as “Mayor City O.” Kim Boyle Esq. is listed as Secretary.
Nola Business Alliance is led by Normal Barnum, President on every filing since 2022; 3 of 24 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Normal Barnum
President
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$262K (2022) → $214K (2023)
Louis David
Interim President
New on the 2023 filing
40 hrs/week
$145K (2023)
Gilbert Montano
Chair
Director & Chair → Board Chair, 2021
Board Chair → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynette White-Colin
Senior Vice President Sm
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$118K (2022) → $144K (2023)
Andrea Chen
Board Member
Board Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Rice
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christy Slater
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Curtis
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Guy Williams
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Henry L Coaxum Jr.
Past Chair
Director & Past Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2021
Immediate Past Chair → Past Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim M Boyle Esq.
Secretary
Director & Secretary → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larissa Littleton-Steib
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Noah Kressler Esq.
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
R. Erich Caulfield PhD
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Burns
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Kennedy
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Talley Esq.
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Takeisha C Davis MD
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Mabon
Treasurer
Director & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Keller
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Helena Moreno
Councilmembe
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jean-Guy Celestin
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Latoya Cantrell
Mayor City O
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron Stone
Board Member
New on the 2023 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Richard Tallant (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jeanette Weiland (2021–2022) — Vice President Bio Innov
- Former: Gregory Lawson (2022) — Ser. Vp' Snd
- Former: Amy Landry (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jc Celestin (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: NORMAN E Barnum IV (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Quentin L Messer Jr. (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Honorable Helena Moreno (2021) — Councilmember At-Large
- Former: Ashleigh Gardere (2020) — Executive Vice President & COO
- Former: Honorable Cyndi Nguyen (2020) — Director
- Former: Honorable LaToya Cantrell (2020) — Director
- Former: Morgan G Stewart (2020) — Vice President of Marketing & Communications
- Former: Nolan Marshall III (2020) — Chief Engagement & Solutions Officer
- Former: Victoria Adams Phipps (2020) — Cso
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $214K, to Normal Barnum (President/Ce). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Nola Business Alliance
How much does Nola Business Alliance give each year?
Nola Business Alliance gave $1.1M across 11 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. In 2022 it gave $1.4M across 15 grants.
What is Nola Business Alliance's typical grant size?
Nola Business Alliance's median grant in 2023 was $100,000, and its average grant was $101,636, across 11 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990.
Where does Nola Business Alliance give grants?
Nola Business Alliance gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (11 grants).
Does Nola Business Alliance give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Nola Business Alliance's 2023 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Development" (11 grants).
Who are Nola Business Alliance's largest grantees?
Nola Business Alliance's largest 2023 grantees include Thrive Nola ($250,000), Youthforce Nola ($175,000) and City of New Orleans ($128,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Nola Business Alliance?
Nola Business Alliance reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What does Nola Business Alliance fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to help create an economy for all New Orleanians, where people are financially secure and prosperous through growth and opportunity and by reducing economic disparity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Nola Business Alliance?
Nola Business Alliance has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check nolaba.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Nola Business Alliance's EIN?
Nola Business Alliance's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3654312. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Live grants for the work Nola Business Alliance funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Nola Business Alliance's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
The Greater New Orleans Foundation
New Orleans, LA
The Greater New Orleans Foundation funds arts and culture, education, youth development, health, social services, and other regional priorities across the 13 parishes of Southeast Louisiana. Its stated average grant is about $20,000; its IMPACT grants are invitation-only, while the Foundation encourages nonprofits to share information about their work through a form.
Assets
$513.0M
Grants
623
Total Given
$34.6M
The Kresge Foundation
Troy, MI
The Kresge Foundation funds nonprofit operations, projects, and planning across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development, with a focus on equity and opportunity in U.S. cities—especially Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans, and Fresno. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $5 million, with a median of $140,000. Program teams most often invite applicants, though some programs issue open calls or RFPs; unsolicited requests are not described as generally accepted.
Assets
$4.0B
Grants
800
Total Given
$170.0M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Baptist Community Ministries
New Orleans, LA
Baptist Community Ministries funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in health, education, or public safety in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana. Its 2025 grants had a median of $10,000, while public Transom Grants start at $50,000 per year and discretionary donations are generally $5,000 or less. It accepts unsolicited requests through these public programs; other grant types are invitation-only.
Assets
$397.5M
Grants
264
Total Given
$10.6M
Ochsner Clinic Foundation
New Orleans, LA
Ochsner Clinic Foundation supports medical care, education, research, and community health, with 2024 grants also going to organizations working in areas such as education, workforce development, culture, and the arts; its stated funding priorities are not specified. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,250 to $815,660, with a median of $15,000, and 91% of grant dollars went to Louisiana recipients. The Foundation directs non-research project inquiries to its philanthropy office, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.6B
Grants
124
Total Given
$6.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Louisiana
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Nola Business Alliance's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Nola Business Alliance down — hundreds of funders to go?