//
Work at this foundation?
Claim this profile to manage it and see interest from grant seekers.
Almar Foundation is a private trust based in NEW ORLEANS, LA. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1997. The principal officer is Susan Couvillon. It holds total assets of $16.9M. Annual income is reported at $940K. The foundation is governed by 10 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2023. The foundation primarily funds organizations in New Orleans, LA, Louisiana and Gulf Coast. According to available records, Almar Foundation has made 224 grants totaling $1.8M, with a median grant of $3K. The foundation has distributed between $808K and $948K annually from 2021 to 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $250 to $103K, with an average award of $8K. The foundation has supported 155 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, which account for 83% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 20 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
## Approach Strategy
The Almar Foundation, formally known as The Alden and Margaret Laborde Foundation, is a family-rooted private foundation based in New Orleans that operates with a deliberately low public profile. The foundation does not post grant guidelines online, does not list deadlines, and does not publicize its application process — all of which signals that relationship-based outreach is the primary pathway to funding.
Key strategic insight: With 116 grants in 2023 and a median grant of just $4,050, the foundation casts a wide net across the New Orleans nonprofit ecosystem. This reflects a philanthropic philosophy of broad community stewardship rather than concentrated strategic investment. Applicants should not be discouraged by the modest median — the foundation has funded grants up to $70,000 to a single organization (University of Holy Cross received $70,000; Mount Carmel Academy received $63,750 in 2023).
Recommended approach: 1. Direct phone outreach to Foundation Manager Sarah Ehrensing at (713) 208-5931 is the first step. Introduce your organization, confirm eligibility, and ask whether an application form exists. 2. Emphasize New Orleans rootedness. The foundation is deeply committed to the New Orleans community, particularly post-Katrina recovery and rebuilding. Organizations with local presence and history will resonate most. 3. Lead with Catholic or faith-aligned framing where appropriate. Top grantees include Catholic Charities, Mount Carmel Academy (Catholic school), and St. Pius X Church, suggesting the Laborde family has strong Catholic philanthropic ties. 4. Ask for a modest initial grant. Given the broad distribution strategy, a first-time ask in the $5,000–$15,000 range is prudent. The foundation is more likely to support an unfamiliar organization at a smaller amount before scaling up. 5. Frame impact locally. Quantify your impact in terms of New Orleans residents served, neighborhoods reached, or Katrina-recovery dimensions addressed.
## Funding Patterns
The Almar Foundation demonstrates remarkably consistent, broad-based annual giving. Analysis of 990-PF filings reveals several clear patterns:
Volume over concentration: With 116 grants averaging ~$8,000 each (median $4,050), the foundation distributes funding widely rather than concentrating dollars in a few large initiatives. This is highly unusual for a $17M foundation and suggests a family philosophy of community-wide stewardship.
Sector distribution (estimated from known grantees and stated focus areas): - Education: ~35–40% of giving (K-12 schools, universities, scholarships) - Social services & community development: ~25–30% (Catholic Charities, social service nonprofits) - Religion: ~15–20% (parishes, churches, faith-based organizations) - Disaster management & resilience: ~10–15% (SBP USA, rebuilding nonprofits)
Anchor grantees: The foundation appears to maintain multi-year relationships with anchor institutions. University of Holy Cross ($70,000) and Mount Carmel Academy ($63,750) likely receive recurring support given their size relative to the portfolio.
Giving stability: Annual disbursements have ranged from $724,538 to $1.1 million over the 2013–2024 period, reflecting disciplined payout management tied to investment income. The foundation generates revenue primarily through dividends (~$349K) and asset sales (~$590K), not external donations.
Geographic concentration: Virtually all giving goes to organizations based in Louisiana, with the overwhelming majority in the New Orleans metro area. Occasional secondary support may go to Texas or other Gulf Coast states.
Grant timing: No formal grant cycle has been publicly disclosed. The foundation appears to make decisions at board meetings throughout the year, consistent with a trustee-governed family foundation model.
## Peer Comparison: New Orleans Private Foundations
The following table compares the Almar Foundation to similar private foundations active in the New Orleans area, to help applicants understand its relative position and identify additional funding opportunities.
| Foundation | Assets | Annual Giving | Grant Range | Focus Areas | Application Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almar Foundation | $16.9M | ~$971K | $250–$70K (median $4K) | Education, social services, disaster relief, religion | Direct contact, no public guidelines |
| Greater New Orleans Foundation | ~$300M | ~$20M+ | $10K–$250K+ | Community development, health, arts, education | Online portal, competitive cycles |
| Collins C. Diboll Private Foundation | N/A | N/A | $1K–$250K | Charitable, educational, arts, health | 501(c)(3) required |
| GPOA Foundation | ~$15M | ~$800K | $10K–$20K | Children and youth, social services | Annual competitive cycle |
| Keller Family Foundation | N/A | N/A | Varies | Education, youth development, social services | Program officer contact |
| Baton Rouge Area Foundation | ~$700M | ~$30M+ | $5K–$100K+ | Community development, health, education | Online portal |
Key differentiators for Almar Foundation: - Extremely broad grant distribution (116 grants/year) vs. typical foundation selectivity - No public application process — relationship and direct outreach required - Strong Catholic organizational alignment among top grantees - Deep commitment to New Orleans post-Katrina recovery narrative - Smaller median grant ($4,050) but no competitive RFP process, lowering barrier to entry
## Recent Activity
2023 Grantmaking (most recent 990-PF data available): - Total grants distributed: $906,500 across 116 awards - Largest known grants: - University of Holy Cross: $70,000 - Mount Carmel Academy: $63,750 - SBP USA (disaster relief nonprofit): $54,000 - Catholic Charities: $42,500 - St. Pius X Church: $35,000
2024 activity: Total charitable disbursements reached approximately $1.1 million (per ProPublica 990-PF filing), the highest recorded annual giving in the foundation's history. This suggests the foundation may be increasing its payout rate or has distributed extraordinary one-time gifts.
Financial trajectory: - 2024 assets: $16.85 million (slight decline from 2023's ~$21M, possibly due to increased distributions) - Investment income remains the core revenue source (dividends + asset sales ~$940K in 2024) - The foundation maintains very low overhead, with officer/trustee compensation representing only ~6% of total expenses
Website: The foundation's website (almarfoundation.com) is currently displaying a "launching soon" placeholder, suggesting a potential rebrand or increased public communications effort may be forthcoming. This is worth monitoring.
Board: 10 trustees, most dedicating approximately 15 minutes per week to governance. Foundation Manager Sarah Ehrensing and trustee Jane Roussel dedicate 10 hours per week, suggesting day-to-day operations are managed by these two individuals.
## Application Tips
Based on the foundation's funding history, governance structure, and New Orleans context, here are actionable tips for applying to the Almar Foundation:
1. Make direct phone contact first. The foundation has no published application form or process. Call Foundation Manager Sarah Ehrensing at (713) 208-5931 to introduce your organization, describe your work, and ask for guidance on submitting a request. This phone call is not optional — skipping it in favor of a cold mailed letter reduces your chances significantly.
2. Align with Catholic and faith-based community values. The Laborde family's philanthropic roots appear deeply connected to Catholic New Orleans institutions. Even if your organization is secular, framing your work in terms of moral obligation, community dignity, and serving "the least among us" will resonate. Ecumenical partnerships or endorsements from local Catholic institutions can strengthen your case.
3. Connect your work to Hurricane Katrina recovery or ongoing resilience. The foundation was actively grantmaking during the post-Katrina reconstruction era, and this community narrative remains central to New Orleans identity. Even in 2026, framing your work in terms of community resilience, rebuilding, or serving populations still affected by systemic storm impacts is relevant.
4. Request a modest first-time grant. First-time applicants should consider requesting $5,000–$15,000 to build a track record. The foundation's wide distribution pattern (116 grants/year) suggests comfort with many smaller awards, and demonstrating responsible stewardship of an initial grant opens the door to future, larger requests.
5. Emphasize local presence and accountability. Board members and managers are rooted in the New Orleans community. Organizations with visible local operations, staff who are known in the community, and measurable local impact metrics will be favored over national organizations with local chapters.
6. Send a brief letter of inquiry. If phone contact is not feasible, send a concise 1–2 page letter of inquiry addressed to Sarah Ehrensing. Include: organization overview, project description, amount requested, and a brief budget summary. Avoid jargon and keep it human and community-focused.
7. Timing is flexible. With no formal grant cycle, applications can be submitted at any time. However, be aware that board approval is required, which suggests trustees meet on a quarterly or semi-annual schedule. Following up politely 6–8 weeks after submission is appropriate.
Create a free Granted account to download this report — includes application checklist, full financial data, and all grantees.
Already have an account? Sign in to download.
Supports K-12 schools, universities, and scholarship programs in Louisiana, with a focus on Catholic and private educational institutions serving economically disadvantaged students.
Funds Catholic charities, social service nonprofits, and community development organizations providing direct services to disadvantaged populations in New Orleans.
Supports disaster relief, post-disaster rebuilding efforts, and community resilience organizations, particularly in the context of Hurricane Katrina recovery and ongoing Gulf Coast vulnerabilities.
Provides general operating and project support to Catholic parishes, churches, and faith-based nonprofits in the New Orleans area.
## Funding Patterns The Almar Foundation demonstrates remarkably consistent, broad-based annual giving. Analysis of 990-PF filings reveals several clear patterns:.
Almar Foundation has distributed a total of $1.8M across 224 grants. The median grant size is $3K, with an average of $8K. Individual grants have ranged from $250 to $103K.
## Approach Strategy The Almar Foundation, formally known as The Alden and Margaret Laborde Foundation, is a family-rooted private foundation based in New Orleans that operates with a deliberately low public profile. The foundation does not post grant guidelines online, does not list deadlines, and does not publicize its application process — all of which signals that relationship-based outreach is the primary pathway to funding.
Almar Foundation is headquartered in NEW ORLEANS, LA. While based in LA, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 20 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ainslie C Phillips | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| Morgan Volion | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| Blayne Bonham | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| James Laborde | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| Susan Couvillon | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| Sarah Ehrensing | Fdn Manager,trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| Brooke Johnson | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| Jane Roussel | trustee,Administration | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| Stephanie Laborde | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
| John Laborde | trustee | $2K | $0 | $2K |
Total Giving
$1M
Total Assets
$17.1M
Fair Market Value
$20.7M
Net Worth
$17.1M
Grants Paid
$907K
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$679K
Distribution Amount
$954K
Total: $6.4M
Total Grants
224
Total Giving
$1.8M
Average Grant
$8K
Median Grant
$3K
Unique Recipients
155
Most Common Grant
$1K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Society Of St Vincent De PaulOperations | Baton Rouge, LA | $13K | 2022 |
| Catholic CharitiesOperations | New Orleans, LA | $103K | 2022 |
| Loyola UniversityOperations | New Orleans, LA | $65K | 2022 |
| Second HarvestCapital Campaign | New Orleans, LA | $50K | 2022 |
| SbpusaorgOperations | New Orleans, LA | $50K | 2022 |
| University Of Holy CrossOperations | New Orleans, LA | $45K | 2022 |
| Coalition To Restore Coastal LaOperations | New Orleans, LA | $40K | 2022 |
| Mount Carmel AcademyScholarships | New Orleans, LA | $27K | 2022 |
| Bastian Community Of ResilienceOperations | New Orleans, LA | $25K | 2022 |
| Texas Children'S HospitalExpansion of Wing | Houston, TX | $25K | 2022 |
| Boys & Girls Club Of New OrleansOperations | New Orleans, LA | $25K | 2022 |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research FoundationOperations | Houston, TX | $25K | 2022 |
| St Pius X ChurchOperations | New Orleans, LA | $24K | 2022 |
| Life Oak Wilderness CampOperations | Baton Rouge, LA | $20K | 2022 |
| Habitat For Humanity NoOperations | New Orleans, LA | $20K | 2022 |
| The Dunham SchoolOperations | Baton Rouge, LA | $16K | 2022 |
| Foundation For Science & MathOperations | New Orleans, LA | $15K | 2022 |
| Rebuilding Together New OrleansOperations | New Orleans, LA | $15K | 2022 |
| Ozanam InnOperations | New Orleans, LA | $15K | 2022 |
| Tulane UniversityOperations | New Orleans, LA | $13K | 2022 |
| Junior Achievement Of GnoOperations | New Orleans, LA | $12K | 2022 |
| Holy Name Of JesusOperationsCapital Campaign | New Orleans, LA | $10K | 2022 |
| Hope Ministries Of Baton RougeOperations | Baton Rouge, LA | $10K | 2022 |
| Southwestern Diabetic FoundationScholarships | Gainesville, TN | $10K | 2022 |
| Ochsner Clinic FoundationOperations | New Orleans, LA | $10K | 2022 |
| Servants Of Mary Ministers To The SickOperations | New Orleans, LA | $10K | 2022 |
| Lsu FoundationScholarship | Baton Rouge, LA | $10K | 2022 |
| Youth OasisOperations | Baton Rouge, LA | $10K | 2022 |
| Catholic ExtensionOperations | Chicago, IL | $10K | 2022 |
| New Orleans Center For Creative ArtsOperations | New Orleans, LA | $8K | 2022 |
| Son Of A SaintOperations | New Orleans, LA | $7K | 2022 |
| Disability New BeginningOperations | New Iberia, LA | $7K | 2022 |
| University Of RochesterOperations | Rochester, NY | $7K | 2022 |
| Trinity Episcopal SchoolOperations | New Orleans, LA | $6K | 2022 |
| Georgetown UniversityEndowment | Washington, DC | $6K | 2022 |
| Wlae-TvOperations | New Orleans, LA | $6K | 2022 |
| Jesuit High SchoolOperations | New Orleans, LA | $6K | 2022 |
| Pro Bono Publico FoundOperations | New Orleans, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| La Fire Soccer ClubYouth Program | Kenner, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| Life Of A Single MomOperations | Baton Rouge, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| Hotel HopeOperations | New Orleans, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| St John'S SchoolOperations | Houston, TX | $5K | 2022 |
| Evergreen Life ServicesOperations | Haughton, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| Ouachita Christian SchoolOperations | Monroe, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| Start The Adventure In ReadingOperations | New Orleans, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| St Theresa AcademyOperations | Metairie, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| Hunters For The HungryOperations | Baton Rouge, LA | $5K | 2022 |
| St Jude The Apostle Catholic ChurchOperations | Sandy Springs, GA | $5K | 2022 |
| Children'S Develpmt CenterEquipment | Baton Rouge, LA | $4K | 2022 |
| Mission To North AmericaOperations | Charlotte, NC | $4K | 2022 |
NEW ORLEANS, LA
METAIRIE, LA
LAFAYETTE, LA