NOLABA Raises $1.3M in Direct Relief Funding for Businesses and Workers Impacted by COVID-19

Written by nolaba on June 12, 2020. Posted in Press Releases.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 12, 2020

Media Contacts:
Elle Schmidt
elle@thespearsgroup.com
419.571.7690

Victoria Adams Phipps
vphipps@nolaba.org
305.790.7825

New Orleans Business Alliance Raises $1.3M in Direct Relief Funding for Businesses and Workers Impacted by COVID-19

NEW ORLEANS – On March 16, the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) became the first local entity to set up a direct relief effort to counteract the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the launch of its Gig Economy Relief Fund. NOLABA committed $100,000 to establish the fund, with the goal of reaching $500K in total donations from the local business community and philanthropy. As of today (June 12), the relief fund has surpassed $890,00 — nearly doubling the initial fundraising goal — which has allowed NOLABA to issue over 1000 grants to local gig workers.
NOLABA thanks the people of New Orleans, who through individual donations contributed over $60,000 to the fund, as well as the following major funders for their support:

Baptist Community MinistriesBlue Cross and Blue Shield of LouisianaCapital OneEntergyGayle Benson Community FundGrubhubGulf Coast Bank & Trust Co.JPMorgan Chase FoundationKresge FoundationSurdna FoundationVerizonW.K. Kellogg FoundationWWL-TV
For more information on the Gig Economy Relief Fund, watch a recap video here .

In addition to the Gig Economy Relief Fund, NOLABA developed and launched several initiatives to provide much-needed support during COVID-19, including direct relief grants for gig workers, bridge loans for small businesses, and paid shift-work for hospitality employees who have been furloughed or laid off.

Small Business Support: In April, the organization launched a program in partnership with a private, local corporate entity to help small businesses pay critical expenses while awaiting an EIDL from the SBA or PPP loan from their 7(a) lenders. In addition to these direct relief efforts, NOLABA received $500,000 in funding from the JPMorgan Chase Foundation to aid an established consortium of local CDFIs in supporting small businesses owned by people of color.

Hospitality Worker Support : In May, NOLABA and partners, including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Shiftsmart, Second Harvest, and Cafe Reconcile, launched Get Shift Done for NOLA, an initiative to coordinate, schedule, and pay adversely affected hospitality workers and opportunity youth for shifts at Second Harvest Food Bank and other local entities providing hunger relief. Through Get Shift Done for NOLA, workers left jobless by COVID-19 receive $12/hour filling critical roles to provide meals for the ill, homeless, and families. Many of these roles, which were previously filled by volunteers, now provide income-generating opportunities for critical members of our community.

In total, NOLABA generated approximately $1.3 million in funds over a six-week period, all of which are being used to provide direct relief to New Orleanians experiencing hardships due to the pandemic.
“I am immensely grateful to the team at NOLABA and all of our partners for the countless hours they’ve committed to these efforts, and equally so to the people of this city who in times of hardship, never cease to amaze us in their ability to come together to help one another,” said NOLABA President & CEO Quentin Messer, Jr. “This crisis is unlike any we’ve ever known, and New Orleans has faced significant hardships. While this period has brought much darkness, it has also shed great light on the strength, resilience and determination of our community. Admittedly, these are quite trying times, but slowly yet surely, we will continue to rise and match the challenges of this moment.”

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About the New Orleans Business Alliance
One of fewer than 80 Accredited Economic Development Organizations worldwide, the New Orleans Business Alliance is the official public-private partnership created to increase economic gains for the city of New Orleans. Through a direct partnership with the City of New Orleans and strong connectivity with the business community, the New Orleans Business Alliance works to ensure the economic security of all New Orleanians by diversifying the local economy, developing local talent, and expanding entrepreneurial opportunity. Through an inclusive economic development strategy, we will create a more equitable and prosperous future for all. Learn more at www.nolaba.org .