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:
          Board President: Lidya Araya
Vice President: Lamar Gardere
Secretary: Lakia Robinson
Treasurer: J.C. Celestin
Director: Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes
Director: Beverly Andry, PhD
Director: Rev. Dwight Webster, PhD
Director: Jade Brown Russell, Esq.
Director: Jean Benjamin Vappie

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

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $550,000

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:
           Board President:
Lidya Araya 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Vice President:
Lamar Gardere 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Secretary:
Lakia Robinson 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Treasurer:
J.C. Celestin. 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Chief Executive Officer:
Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           On June 11, 2021 the staff of Efforts of Grace, Inc. was notified no cash was available for the $500,000 Capital Outlay award previously approved for Ashé Cultural Arts Center (Budget year 2020-2021; Project ID 564197, Agency #50-NAJ)(Appendix I). After three years of fulfilling the requirements to earn the investment of the Capital Outlay program; of working closeley withProgram Officer, Jim Lee, to meet all compliance requirement; of investing deeply in pre-development costs including architecture and business plans; and the conscientious raising of matching funds, this was a deep blow to the organization.
Efforts of Grace, Inc/Ashé CAC has built an ambitious real estate development strategy, rooted in cultural preservation and community economic advancement. This body of work is a great undertaking for a small nonprofit, with every piece of the puzzle requiring a precious investment of human capital and financial resources. The Capital Outlay commitment is a critical piece of that puzzle.
Located in the one hundred and fifteen year old Venus Gardens building , in the heart of Central City on historic Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, Ashé CAC is an anchor and pivotal influence in the renaissance that has and is occurring on the State designated Cultural Corridor, winner of the National Main Street Award in 2017. Efforts of Grace, Inc. has leveraged over $22M over its 23 year history to offer over 1,000 events annually, hosting over 40,000 visitors and 20 national & international groups each year, in addition to providing affordable housing to 32 households of artists and culture bearers.
The ability to continue to provide these services and expand revenue streams is currently threatened and compromised by the need for a roof replacement and building waterproofing that the Capital Outlay investment is slated to support (Appendix 2). These repairs are also critical to the building's refinance and the funding of a retractable wall sorely needed to increase seating capacity, supported by the Low Income Investment Fund.
For these reasons and more, I submit this urgent request for the granting of Emergency Status of Efforts of Grace, Inc. (Ashé Too Planning & Construction). This State Capital Outlay contribution is an investment from which we can anticipate great returns given the demonstrative history of Efforts of Grace, Inc. in attracting resources and the future which offers even greater potential given its renovations and standing in the national community.
I urge the legislative and administrative actions necessary to make a State Capital Outlay award immediately available to Efforts of Grace, Inc. As a national model for community economic development and place-based equity strategies, the renovations accomplished by this investment will improved economic opportunity not only for Ashé Cultural Arts Center but for the Boulevard, the City and the region.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $156,000
          Professional Services. . . $67,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $45,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $405,808
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $67,380

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?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Efforts of Grace, Inc./Ashé CAC has demonstrated an amazing ability to serve the public, increase economic capacity, attract investment dollars from the philanthropic community and expand creative, equitable outcomes despite the dire fiscal constraints resulting from continually placing attention on immediate remedies. The State will enjoy multiple benefits as a result of investing public funds in this project. The building houses 30 residential apartments, two-thirds of which are formally designated affordable units and the remaining units are offered at a highly attractive rate. The ground floor commercial areas are home base for many cultural and creative projects, social aid & pleasure clubs activities and artistic exhibition space. At least 20% of the visitors are international and out-of-state tourists who seek a true Louisiana experience. Efforts of Grace, Inc/Ashé CAC has completed both a strategic plan and a business plan to accomplish goals of thriving abundantly simultaneously continuing to uplift local and regional community members.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Efforts of Grace, Inc./Ashé CAC's plans for accomplishing the stated economic, cultural and community goals are threefold. These goals reflect Central City's long time mantra of "Culture.Community.Commerce". First and foremost we must support and promote safe and secure housing for those community members who exemplify all the best New Orleans has to offer and for which the City is world famous. The residential apartments locatedon the second and third floors of Ashé Cultural Arts Center are strong, but minimal step towards this goal. Secondly we must make available expansive, creative spaces for cultural icons to flourish and mentor the next generation of world leaders in innovative, artistic performance and production. The ground floor commercial spaces are overused in accomplishing this goal. Lastly, promoting supportive structures for cultural and community members leads to the successful economic commerce we all claim is essential for the State of Louisiana to thrive. When the State of Louisiana provides the Capital Outlay funds needed to replace the roof and seal the exterior bricks & mortar of Ashé Cultural Arts Center we are essentially providing the foundations of Culture.Community.Commerce.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           Four months is the expected time period need to complete roof replacement and waterproofing

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:
                 Not applicable
    
     (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:
                 Not applicable

     (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: 
               Not applicable

(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:
               Not applicable

          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:
                 Not applicable

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               Not applicable


Contact Information
name:  Jo Ann Minor 
                                       address:  1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA. 70113
                                       phone:  504-330-0637
                                       fax:  n/a
                                       e-mail:  jominor@ashenola.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Chief Financial Officer