Over 300 supporters paid Kingsley House a visit on September 15 in support of the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s “New Orleans Now.” The celebration saluted the selfless donors and nonprofit leaders who allow philanthropy to impact the New Orleans community so enormously.
Quotations lining the entrance prepared guests for an evening of inspiration, while the positive energy of “New Orleans Now” exuded from vibrant lime-green-and-orange décor. One of this year’s honorees and president of the Surdna Foundation, Philip Henderson, discussed “Why National Foundations Invest in New Orleans,” dubbing our adored city as “part of the national psyche.”
The foundation, which has raised $100 million in the New Orleans region since its inception almost 30 years ago, was proud to honor Dr. S. Frederick Starr with the inaugural “Spark Plug Award.” Starr, who sparked the undying flame known as the New Orleans Greater Foundation in 1983, was the “quarterback” of the founding group of civic leaders.
The Benjamin Franklin Youth Orchestra provided entertainment, while guests savored local delicacies such as stuffed mushrooms, andouille sausage bites, stuffed tomatoes and poor boy finger sandwiches provided by Liberty’s Kitchen and Café Reconcile. Together donors, nonprofit leaders and friends and family of the foundation celebrated its success throughout the years and toasted to its continuing vitality in the future.
