The recipient entity's physical address:
           1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Carol Bebelle
Lynnette Colin
Dwight Webster
Beverly G. Andry
Al Kennedy
Jade Brown Russell
Jean Benjamin Vappie
Lidya Araya
Lamar Gardiere
J.C. Celestin
Clayton Shelvin

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  6819

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $625,000

What type of request is this?  Capital Outlay Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           1. Carol Bebelle, Executive Director and Co-founder
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

2. Beverly G. Andry, PhD, Board of Directors Chairperson
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

3. Lynnette Colin, Board of Directors Vice Chair
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

4. Rev. Dwight Webster, PhD, Secretary/Treasurer
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

5. Al Kennedy, PhD, Historian
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

6. Jade Brown Russell, Director
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

7. Jean Benjamin Vappie, Director
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

8. Lidya Araya, Director
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

9. Lamar Gardiere, Director
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

10. J.C. Celestin, Director
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

11. Clayton Shelvin, Director
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           The original goal of this project was building acquisition and renovation. We are pleased to report the acquisition was completed but the property as acquired did not meet current building codes. Through the generosity of WK Kellogg Foundation and fundraising by Efforts of Grace, Inc. Board of Directors we received $750K in funding to effect renovations. This amount is well above the 25% match required for Capital Outlay projects. This year our community celebrates with us our organization's ability to present and produce over 1,000 events hosting over 30,000 visits annually. As a high volume, national model for community based cultural work, Efforts of Grace/Ashe' Cultural Arts Center has a persistent challenge to defend its local value when 80% to 85% of support comes from out of State. Louisiana'sinvestment via Capital Outlay Endeavor will improve our portfolio and strengthen our ability to leverage more and varied investors at the regional and National level. Initial renovation activity focused on items critical to bringing the building into code compliance. As a result plumbing, fire codes and ADA compliance issues were addressed. We now seek to amend the Capital Outlay request to address items identified during planning and are now shown to be a threat to improvements already completed. These weaknesses found in the roof and areas of water intrusion found on the building's facades are now priorities. We are proud to state our beliefs in our Central City mantra of "Community.Culture.Commerce" are borne out and there is a stark increase in the number of residents, visitors and tourists engaging in activities not only at Ashe' CAC but at other organizations along Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Collaborative efforts with neighboring institutions were rewarded with a 2017 National Main Street award. A long suffering community has transformed into a vibrant, increasingly productive model for the country.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000
          Professional Services. . . $150,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $750,000
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Efforts of Grace, Inc. (EOG) is a community development organization with a mission to use arts and culture to drive human, community and economic development. EOG accomplishes this mission through its primary initiative, Ashe' Cultural Arts Center (Ashe') located on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans, LA. The public benefits from Ashe's work in five different areas affecting the quality of life for Louisiana residents: Affordable housing; Education; Health & Wellness; Creative & Cultural programming; and Social Entrepreneurship. Ashe' is open six days a week serving over 30,000 visits annually.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The goals and objectives established by Efforts of Grace, Inc. (EOG) are informed by the five target areas in which we work. These target areas are intentionally chosen to serve the public and ameliorate quality of life for Louisiana residents in general and local and regional residents in particular. In the area of affordable housing, EOG maintains 30 apartments in building located on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. All of the apartments are leased at below market rates and two-thirds of the units are contractually designated as affordable housing. In the areas of education and health & wellness, Ashe' provides an abundance of programming free of charge to the public. Examples include dance classes and a summer program for youth. Creative and cultural offerings include a wealth of concerts, plays, film screenings and community meetings enjoyed by residents and tourists alike. Lastly, Ashe' is a business information conduit for culture bearers, visual and performing artists. Artists are supported and encouraged to treat their craft as a revenue producing enterprise. EOG is proud to have played a significant role in catalyzing the turnaround of the Oretha Castle Haley neighborhood into one of the most sought after areas of the City of New Orleans.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           One year from the start of construction

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 No elected or appointed official or immediate family member of such an official holds ownership in Efforts of Grace, Inc.
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 No elected or appointed official or immediate family member of such an official holds ownership in Efforts of Grace, Inc.

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 Not applicable

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  Not applicable

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               No contract is in effect or pending with an elected or appointed official of either the state or any political subdivision of the state.

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               No contract is in effect or pending with an elected or appointed official of either the state or any political subdivision of the state.

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                Not applicable

          What is the nature of the relationship?  Not applicable

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 No contract is currently in effect.

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               No contract is currently in effect. The nature of a potential contract would be to provide construction services for the renovation project outlined in the capital outlay request for Efforts of Grace, Inc.


Contact Information
name:  Jo Ann Minor 
                                       address:  1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113
                                       phone:  504-330-0637
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  jominor2009@gmail.com
                                       relationship to entity:  Associate Director