Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc
UNITY of Greater New Orleans is a public charity based in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 1992. It leads a collaborative of organizations providing housing and services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and coordinates community partnerships to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness.
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc at a glance
In short: Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc gave $25.3M across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $816K), mostly in Louisiana. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $25,292,059
- +49.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- +10.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $815,873
- +34.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $381,727
- Total assets
- $13,249,778
- -9.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (3 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc
- Review Cycle
- July 21, 2026, at 12 noon for 2026 new-project proposals.
- Deadline
- July 21, 2026, at 12 noon for 2026 new-project proposals.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2475 Canal Street 300, New Orleans, LA 70119
Phone: (504) 821-4496
Website: https://unitygno.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Start Corporation ($5.6M). Together the top 10 received $19.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 36 grants of 142 (25%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
UNITY’s collaborative serves Orleans and Jefferson parishes. Its CoC funding work also covers Kenner. The 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 31 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $300K; repeat grants $871K. How we count
Medians: $241K first-time, $382K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $10.5M (2020) to $25.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $25.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Start Corporation Houma, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $5,632,790 |
| Travelers Aid New Orleans, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $3,321,527 |
| Responsibility House Gretna, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $2,469,563 |
| Noaids Taskforce New Orleans, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $2,345,220 |
| Ozanam Inn New Orleans, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $1,376,357 |
| Easterseals New Orleans, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $1,271,727 |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness New Orleans, LA | To Coordinate Parterships to Treat Mental Illness. | $1,271,015 |
| Depaul USA New Orleans, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $765,644 |
| Odyssey House New Orleans, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $744,602 |
| Priority Health Care Marrero, LA | To coordinate parterships to reduce, end and prevent homelessness. | $614,478 |
Ready to take the next step with Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,249,778 | $46,256,524 | $46,998,394 | $25,292,059 | 31 | $88,479 |
| 2024 | $14,632,035 | $39,760,854 | $40,272,938 | $16,940,803 | 28 | $99,737 |
| 2023 | $32,461,376 | $35,457,405 | $35,698,101 | $20,485,961 | 28 | $107,453 |
| 2022 | $32,524,702 | $39,129,051 | $39,309,928 | $19,187,330 | 28 | $34,783 |
| 2021 | $34,262,914 | $35,061,746 | $35,253,163 | $17,871,773 | 27 | — |
| 2020 | $34,163,311 | $31,625,789 | $29,522,808 | $10,489,561 | 26 | $45,768 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
UNITY’s mission is to coordinate community partnerships to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness. Its funding supports housing and services for people experiencing homelessness, including through competitive federal grants that it subcontracts to nonprofit and government organizations.
The organizations receiving grants include providers with a range of related missions. For example, START Corporation says it serves people with disabilities, mental illness, and homelessness through community services; Responsibility House describes supportive housing and substance-use treatment programs; and Ozanam Inn says it provides refuge, housing, meals, clothing, and counseling to homeless, transient, and indigent people. Priority Health Care describes its mission as providing holistic health care to underserved communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, UNITY reported 31 grants totaling $25,292,059. Grants ranged from $28,801 to $5,632,790, with a median of $381,727. The largest awards included $5,632,790 to START Corporation, $3,321,527 to Travelers Aid, $2,469,563 to Responsibility House, $2,345,220 to NOAIDS Taskforce, and $1,376,357 to Ozanam Inn. The stated purposes for these awards were to coordinate partnerships to reduce, end, and prevent homelessness.
Other 2025 recipients included DePaul USA ($765,644), Odyssey House ($744,602), Priority Health Care ($614,478), and The Ladies of Hope Ministries ($514,029). DePaul USA describes its work as providing services and programs for homeless individuals in multiple U.S. cities; Odyssey House describes services for people affected by substance use and mental illness; Priority Health Care focuses on holistic care for underserved communities; and The Ladies of Hope Ministries focuses on formerly incarcerated women.
UNITY leads the local Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) funding process. Its 2026 new-project opportunities are offered through requests for proposals adopted to reflect local CoC priorities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and government organizations, including organizations that are not current CoC funding recipients, faith-based organizations, and substance-use treatment providers. Proposals are submitted through UNITY’s application portal. The 2025 application information also describes renewal applications for eligible current project sponsors and notes funding and project-type restrictions for that competition.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jane Johnson as chair, Norman Robinson as vice chair, DetRich Hebert as treasurer, and the Honorable Calvin Johnson as secretary. Directors listed are Austin Penny, Jack Wiles, Wendy Hickok Robinson, Mamie Sterkx Gasperzec, Wayne Fant, and Gabriel Nehrbass.
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc is led by Martha Kegel, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Martha Kegel
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$97K (2020) → $134K (2025)
Jane L. Johnson
Chair
Director → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Austin Penny
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mamie Sterkx Gasperecz
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Hickok Robinson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wayne Fant
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gabriel Nehrbass
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Wiles
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reginald A. Parquet
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Norman Robinson
Vice Chair
Vice Chair → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Detrich Hebert
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Calvin Johnson
Secretary
Vice Chair → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Bruce Prendergast (2020–2024) — Immediate Past Board Chair
- Former: Jennifer Benjamin (2020–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jessie Pullins (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Joseph Cao (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Laura Banos Bryan (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Marvel Robertson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Peter Waring (2020–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Tod Smith (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Davon N. Barbour (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: John Jack Wiles (2023–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Kim Evans Rugon (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Alexander Sandy Cohen (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Calvin Johnson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jonathan Katz (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Kya Robottom (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Leslie Bouie (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mary Kelly-Swafford (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Paul Hinnenkamp (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: William F. Ryan (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: William H. Hines (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Hank Torbert (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $134K, to Martha Kegel (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc
How much does Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc give each year?
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc gave $25.3M across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $16.9M across 28 grants.
What is Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's typical grant size?
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's median grant in 2025 was $381,727, and its average grant was $815,873, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc that year got $300K on average.
Where does Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc give grants?
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (23 grants), Jefferson, LA (2 grants) and Metairie, LA (2 grants).
Does Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's largest grantees?
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Start Corporation ($5,632,790), Travelers Aid ($3,321,527) and Responsibility House ($2,469,563), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc?
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc reported $13.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $46.3M.
What does Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc fund?
UNITY’s mission is to coordinate community partnerships to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness. Its funding supports housing and services for people experiencing homelessness, including through competitive federal grants that it subcontracts to nonprofit and government organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc?
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check unitygno.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's EIN?
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1222911. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Leveling-Up Award $1,000 · Due October 25, 2026
- Arnold F. Keller, Jr. Grant for New Initiatives/Program Expansion $25,000 · Due October 27, 2026
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/unity-of-greater-new-orleans-inc-morg_31ae652613534e0f9cd5c4ea0a2b4ea7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_721222911_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/unity-of-greater-new-orleans-inc-morg_31ae652613534e0f9cd5c4ea0a2b4ea7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc'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.
Unity of Greater New Orleans Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?