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:
          Dr. Beverly G. Andry, President
Lidya Arraya, Vice President
Lamar Gardere, Secretary
J. C. Celestin, Treasurer
Rev. Dwight Webster, PhD, Director
Jean Benjamin Vappie, Director
Jade Brown Russell, Director
Al Kennedy, PhD, Director
Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, Director

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

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $3,214,166

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. Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, Chief Executive Officer
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
2. Dr. Beverly G. Andry, Board Chair
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
3. Jo Ann Minor, Chief Operating Officer
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
4. Frederick P. Delahoussaye, Chief Creative Officer
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Efforts of Grace, Inc. (EOG) aims to continue progressing towards completing the building acquisition and renovation project. We are pleased to report building acquisition and phase 1 of the renovation are complete as of November 2019. Bringing the building into current building codes compliance with respect to plumbing, fire, and ADA requirements was accomplished in Phase 1. An immediate need now exists to address moisture intrusion through weaknesses discovered in the roof and brick & mortar exterior walls. EOG is extremely proud of the building's historic facade and attractive architectural features. We work closely with the Preservation Resource Center to fiercely defend the building's historic character. Addressing moisture intrusion is an urgent and immediate need to defend the building's integrity and safety. After the roof replacement and re-sealing the exterior brick walls is accomplished, EOG will increase the building's audience seating capacity by replacing the fixed wall between the two main stage areas with a movable wall. We have frequently had to decline requests for larger audiences due to space limitations.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $275,000
          Professional Services. . . $390,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $235,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $3,214,166
          Operating Services. . . . $200,000
          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?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The primary purpose of the requested public funding is to ameliorate Efforts of Grace, Inc.'s ability to serve the public by increasing the building's audience capacity. In 2019 25% of requests for business bookings had to be declined due to insufficient seating capacity. Efforts of Grace, Inc. (EOG) is more popularly known as the Ashe' Cultural Arts Center (Ashe'). In past years Ashe' successfully produced or presented over 1,000 public events annually, bringing over 30,000 visitors to the Oretha Castle Haley commercial corridor and facilitating a remarkable turnaround of the neighborhood into a thriving, highly sought after commercial district. Ashe' attracts both local visitors seeking cultural experiences and educational offerings for schools as well as national and international visitors for destination weddings, family reunions, concerts, theatre, conferences and community meetings. Ashe' is a frequent host to business cohorts escorted around Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area as guests of the Diplomacy Council.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          By removing the fixed wall between two existing stage areas, Ashe' will increase audience capacity from a maximum of 250 seats to a maximum of 600 seats. As previously mentioned, 25% of rental space requests are declined due to seating limitations. The ability to accommodate larger audiences translates to approximately $125,000 increased annual earned revenue.

Increased audience seating capacity will serve to increase business for Ashe' and also for restaurants, retail operations and other cultural offerings along Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           A construction period of 18 months is expected

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: 
               No contract is with an elected or appointed official

(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 with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed official

          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 with the state or a political subdivision of the state.

(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:  Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes 
                                       address:  1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113
                                       phone:  504-569-9070
                                       fax:  none
                                       e-mail:  adeccliastes@ashenola.org; also jominor@ashenola.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Chief Executive Officer