Rex Foundation Grants $1million

The Rex Organization continues its ongoing commitment to help New Orleans Schools as the Pro Bono Publico Foundation announced 2015-16 grants totaling $1 million to 60 recipients. Grant checks were awarded at a special event at the Rex den on Saturday, January 9, attended by hundreds of educators and leaders of supporting organizations. The event also honored the ongoing commitment and important work of Teach for America in the New Orleans Region.

Those 60 grants benefit 64 schools and 28 supporting and advocacy organizations.

The 2016 grant total marks the fifth consecutive year Pro Bono Publico Foundation's grants exceed half a million dollars. In 2012 and 2013 the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, thanks to the support of its donors, was able to award grants of approximately $545,000 each year. That figure reached more than $740,000 in 2014 and $860,000 in 2015.

“The generosity of those donating to such a worthy cause has been tremendous as the Pro Bono Publico Foundation hits this $1 million milestone," said Foundation Chairman Storey Charbonnet. “We've seen continued annual growth in contributions to help invest in our community's future by promoting a strong educational environment for children."

The grants exemplify PBPF's drive to assure that all of New Orleans' children have access to excellent schools. Ninety-three percent of New Orleans students now attend public charter schools. These schools, and organizations supporting their important work, have been the focus of PBPF's investment, as well as the commitment of dozens of Rex members serving on their boards.

The Pro Bono Publico Foundation was formed by members of the Rex Organization as New Orleans recovered from Hurricane Katrina. Foundation giving, in its ninth grant cycle since 2007, now totals $4.4 million in cumulative cash contributions to schools.

The open house also highlights the success of Teach for America in bolstering the local charter school movement. TFA's more than 1,200 corps members and alumni are teaching and leading across the Greater New Orleans region, and today, seven of 10 public school students in the city of New Orleans attend a school featuring TFA corps members or alumni. Teach for America received $60,000, the Foundation's largest grant.

The Foundation raises funds primarily from donations from Rex members, but the Foundation also draws support from other foundations and the business community. The Harry Howard Foundation has helped underwrite the development of critically needed after-school programs. IberiaBank has been a generous corporate supporter, and this year Adidas teamed with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans to support the Foundation's work.

Quick Facts:

• 2015-16 Grants total $1 million and giving since 2007 totals $4.4 million
• 2015-16 grants awarded to 64 individual schools and 28 supporting and advocacy organizations
• Through a grant to the NORD Foundation, the PBPF continues to sponsor activities at Taylor Playground, adjacent to the Rex Den
• Through the generosity of the Harry Howard Foundation, the PBPF continues to develop a pilot program providing after-school academic and enrichment programs

2016 Pro Bono Publico Foundation Grantees

• 4POINT0 Schools
• Algiers Charter School Association
• Arise Academy
• Audubon Charter School
• Bayou District Foundation
• Belle Chasse Academy
• Benjamin Franklin High School
• Breakthrough NO
• Bricolage Academy
• Center for Development and Learning
• Choice Foundation
• Citizens Committee for Education dab Homer A. Plessy
• City Year New Orleans
• College Bridge New Orleans
• College Track
• Collegiate Academies
• Communities in Schools of Greater New Orleans, Incl
• Crescent City Schools
• Cypress Charter School Association DBA Cypress Academy
• Education Pioneers
• Einstein Group, Inc.
• First Line Schools
• Greater New Orleans STEM Initiative DBA Core Element
• InspireNOLA Charter Schools
• International High School of New Orleans
• International School of Louisiana
• Jefferson Chamber Foundation Academy East
• Jefferson Chamber Foundation Academy West
• Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
• KID smART
• KIPP New Orleans Schools
• Lake Forest Elementary Charter School
• Leading Educators
• Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans
• Live Oak Wilderness Camp
• Louisiana Alliance of Charter Schools (East Bank Collaborative)
• Louisiana Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
• Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools
• McDonough City Park Academy
• McMillian's First Steps
• New Leaders - GNO
• New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Institute
• New Orleans College Preparatory Academics
• New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy
• New Schools for New Orleans
• NORD Foundation for Taylor Park Booster Club
• Policy Institute for Children
• Raphael Academy
• Roots of Music
• St. Mary's Academy
• St. Michael Special School
• Stand for Children Louisiana
• Start the Adventure in Reading, STAIR
• Teach for America GNO
• The Chartwell Center
• The Foundation for Science & Mathematics Education
• The Good Shepherd School
• The Posse Foundation, Inc.
• Tulane University Cowen Institute
• Warren Easton Charter School Foundation
• YA YA - Young Aspirations/Young Artists, Inc.