The Gpoa Foundation
The GPOA Foundation is a grant-making, independent foundation based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations serving children and youth in the New Orleans area. The parent organization was founded in 1855, with the foundation itself established in 1979 in Louisiana.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.3M
+4.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$793K
+243.5% YoY
Grant Count
47
+193.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+16.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Gpoa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $771K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The GPOA Foundation's mission centers on leveling the playing field for the most vulnerable children and youth in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The foundation has adopted three primary outcome priorities:
- Children who are ready for kindergarten
- Children who can read on-level by third grade
- At-risk youth who are equipped for work and independence
Funding Priorities
The foundation supports programs in the following areas:
- Early Childhood Education — Supporting children ages 0-8 to meet developmental goals through kindergarten readiness and access to early childhood education
- Reading Proficiency — Summer learning loss prevention programs for K-3rd grade students
- Out-of-School Programs (K-12) — Enrichment programs including music, art, dance, and STEM; behavioral health and social-emotional supports
- Children with Special Needs — Special education and autism spectrum programs
- At-Risk Youth Programs — Work-readiness training, life skills development, and support for youth independence
What the Foundation Does NOT Fund
- Programs not focused on children in Orleans Parish
- Building or renovation expenses and equipment (rarely funded)
- Sponsorship of special events
- Individual scholarships
- Programs taking place out of state
- Organizations with large, unrestricted endowments
- Nonprofits that make grants to other nonprofits
Grantmaking
The GPOA Foundation grants approximately $800,000 annually to New Orleans area nonprofit organizations serving children and youth. Typical grant awards range from $10,000–$20,000, with an average grant between $10,000–$15,000. In special circumstances, the Board of Trustees can recommend larger grants.
Average Grant
between $10,000–$15,000. In special circumstances, the Board of Trustees can recommend larger grants.
How to Apply
The foundation accepts only electronic applications and makes grant decisions twice annually:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The GPOA Foundation funds programs serving children in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, with some references to Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $16,280,046
- Total Annual Giving: Approximately $800,000
- Revenue: $560,800 (based on available data)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $16,280,046 | $15,526,001 | $14,168,002 |
| Revenue | $1,412,274 | $552,005 | $560,818 |
| Expenses | $967,254 | $384,900 | $168,676 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $891,416 | $320,718 | $88,581 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,336,436 | $488,622 | $497,839 |
| Distributable Amount | $771,451 | $724,073 | $713,270 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
141 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Gpoa Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Covenant House New Orleans ($28,000), Ellis Marsalis Center for Music ($25,000), Stem Library Lab ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| FOR PROVIDERS BY PROVIDERS NEW ORLEANS, LA | ALLIANCES AND ADVOCACY | $20,000 |
| CASA NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS, LA | CIVIL RIGHTS | $20,000 |
| COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS INC NEW ORLEANS, LA | SWIMMING AND OTHER WATER RECREATION | $20,000 |
| LOUSIANA CENTER FOR CHILDRENS RIGHTS NEW ORLEANS, LA | YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION | $20,000 |
| UNCOMMON CONSTRUCTION NEW ORLEANS, LA | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS | $20,000 |
| LOOP NOLA NEW ORLEANS, LA | EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | $20,000 |
| ST MICHAEL'S SPECIAL SCHOOL NEW ORLEANS, LA | EDUCATION | $20,000 |
| START THE ADVENTURE IN READING INC NEW ORLEANS, LA | REMEDIAL READING AND ENCOURAGEMENT | $20,000 |
| THE BRIGHT SCHOOL METAIRIE, LA | EDUCATION | $20,000 |
| CAFE RECONCILE NEW ORLEANS, LA | YOUTH CENTERS AND CLUBS | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Slade Simons — President
- Camille Strachan — Vice President
- Jane Sumner — Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLADE SIMONS | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| CAMILLE STRACHAN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JANE SUMNER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BARBARA MACPHEE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHARLES MAYER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MASON COUVILLION | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SHELINA DAVIS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAMELA WATSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RALPH COX | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GARY BRIGGS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRIAN ROTOLO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GREG RATTLER SR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KYLE WEDBERG | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.gpoafoundation.org
- Phone: 504-598-4663
- Address: 919 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130-3903
- EIN: 72-0423621
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Gpoa Foundation fund?
The GPOA Foundation's mission centers on leveling the playing field for the most vulnerable children and youth in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The foundation has adopted three primary outcome priorities: • **Children who are ready for kindergarten** • **Children who can read on-level by third grade** • **At-risk youth who are equipped for work and independence** The foundation supports programs in the following areas: • **Early Childhood Education** — Supporting children ages 0-8 to meet developm…
How do I apply for a grant from The Gpoa Foundation?
The GPOA Foundation grants approximately $800,000 annually to New Orleans area nonprofit organizations serving children and youth. Typical grant awards range from $10,000–$20,000, with an average grant between $10,000–$15,000. In special circumstances, the Board of Trustees can recommend larger grants. Nonprofit organizations serving children or youth in Orleans Parish are eligible to apply. The foundation accepts only electronic applications and makes grant decisions twice annually: **Applicat…
Where does The Gpoa Foundation make grants?
The GPOA Foundation funds programs serving children in Orleans Parish, Louisiana, with some references to Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.
What size grants does The Gpoa Foundation award?
In 2024, The Gpoa Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $793K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Gpoa Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Gpoa Foundation reported a distributable amount of $771K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Gpoa Foundation's EIN?
The Gpoa Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-0423621. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Gpoa Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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