Tres Doux Foundation / Beignet Fest Foundation Grantmaking Program

Tres Doux Foundation / Beignet Fest Foundation Grantmaking Program

Funder: Tres Doux Foundation (also known as Beignet Fest Foundation)
Location: Greater New Orleans, LA, US
Website: beignetfest.com
Contact: info@beignetfest.com

Mission

The Tres Doux Foundation celebrates, embraces and enhances the lives of children with developmental delays and disabilities by presenting them as whole beings, and supports organizations that do the same. The mission focuses on the autism community in Greater New Orleans.

Geographic Scope

• Greater New Orleans, LA
• Southeast Louisiana
• Westbank New Orleans

Focus Areas

The foundation funds local nonprofits providing essential programming for neurodiverse children and their families, including:
• Adaptive swim lessons
• Inclusive art, music, computing, and theater programs
• Sensory-friendly storytimes and playgroups
• Peer mentoring and social skills development
• Family support and resource coordination
• Summer and after-school programs
• Resource coordination for families
• Online support groups and training programs

Eligible Applicants

• Nonprofit organizations serving children with autism and developmental delays
• Organizations providing programs and services to children on the autism spectrum
• Organizations demonstrating dedication to improving lives of neurodiverse individuals in the community

Funding Sources

Proceeds from the annual Beignet Fest festival and generous donors. For example:
• 2023 Beignet Fest proceeds supported $75,900 in grants
• 2018 Beignet Fest proceeds supported $20,000 in grants
• 2016 Beignet Fest proceeds supported $25,157 in grants
• Matched gifts from corporate sponsors (e.g., Gulfsouth Autism Center)

Recent Grant Recipients (Examples)

• Families Helping Families NOLA
• Autism Society of Greater New Orleans
• Prism Project (through FHF NOLA)
• Fish in a Tree
• YMCA of Greater New Orleans
• Community Sailing New Orleans
• Upturn Arts
• Excite All Stars
• Moving Challenges
• Raintree Children & Family Services
• Easterseals Louisiana (Chartwell Center)
• St. Therese Academy
• Building A Better 2morrow
• Audubon Nature Institute
• Ochsner Hospital for Children
• Raphael Academy

What They Fund

• Summer camp programs for children with autism
• Adaptive recreation and arts programs
• Staff training and professional development
• Transportation assistance
• Program supplies and equipment
• Inclusive programming enhancements
• Online support programs and facilitation
• Computing and technology programs for autistic youth

History

Founded in 2016. Since founding, the Tres Doux Foundation has dedicated over $65,000-$75,000+ to autism programs in Greater New Orleans (as of 2019-2024).

Additional Programs

Beyond grantmaking, the foundation operates:
• Beignet Buddies program - promotes partners and events in the community that serve children with developmental differences
• Benny's Sensory Onsite Spaces - sensory-friendly festival areas
• Camp Benny - summer camp programming
• Tres Doux Krewe - community engagement initiatives

Background

The Beignet Fest is an annual food festival celebrating New Orleans' iconic beignet dessert. The festival features 30+ beignet dishes, live music, beer garden, artist market, and kids village. All proceeds benefit the Tres Doux Foundation to support the autism community.