NGO Funding Request


The recipient entity's full legal name:  Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans, Inc

The recipient entity's physical address:
           123 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118


The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           123 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118


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

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  8941

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $1,839,462

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:
           Renee Vidrine,
President & CEO
Lighthouse Louisiana
123 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118

Adam Babich
Tulane Law School
6329 Freret Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
ababich@tulane.edu
Andrew Bizer
3319 St. Claude Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70117
andrew@bizerlaw.com

Andrew Kingsley
5237 Chestnut Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
KingsleyA@gmail.com

Andy St. Romain
Jones Walker
Four United Plaza
8555 United Plaza Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
astromain@joneswalker.com

Blair Monroe
5316 Canary Ansas Drive
Kenner, LA 70065
Blair629@aol.com

Cameron Currie
434 Latigue Rd,
Westwego, LA 70094
CCurrie729@gmail.com

Celeste Eustis
2 Cromwell Place
New Orleans, LA 70118
CELESTEEUSTIS64@GMAIL.COM

Charlie Marts
7835 Maple St,
New Orleans, LA 70118
charlie@crescenttitle.com

Cheri Johnson
16233 Woodville Drive
Prairieville, LA 70769
Cheri.Johnson@womans.org

Danielle Borel
One American Place, Suite 2300
301 Main Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3197
Danielle.borel@bswllp.com

Dr. Adham al Hariri
3205 Chestnut Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
Adhamalhariri@gmail.com

Dr. Leslie Estrada
4720 S I-10 Service Rd W,
Metairie, LA 70001
Leslie_Estrada@yahoo.com

Dr. Renee Horton
57380 Maple Ave,
Slidell, LA 70461-2281
Renee@reneehortonphd.com

Dr. Seema Walia
1025 Soniat Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
seema.walia@me.com

Edward Thibodeaux
2029 Grand Caillou Rd.
Houma, LA 70363
edward@commandertech.com

Jason Jobes
45069 Greg Brignac Ln.
Saint Amant, LA, 70774-3132
JobesJ@advisory.com

Julie Nosser
701 Poydras Street, Suite 3400
New Orleans, LA 70139
julie.nosser@hancockwhitney.com

Keith Katz
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
1100 Poydras St., Ste 1900
Energy Centre
New Orleans, La. 70163
keith.katz@morganstanley.com

Laura Scallan
201 St. Charles Ave, 29th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70170
Laura.Scallan@CapitalOne.com

Marcelle Wainer
7509 Zimpel Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
marcellegundlach@gmail.com

Molly Vigour
4512 Constance Street.
New Orleans, LA 70115
molly@canalhr.com

Nicki Candies
340 S Diamond St
New Orleans, LA
NickiCandies1@gmail.com

Pastor Gregory Manning
3105 Milan
New Orleans, LA 70125
gmanning1973@yahoo.com

Patrick Browne III
810 Union Street, 4th Floor
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
pat@mceneryco.com

Paul Jordan
509 Octavia Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
Paul@Intrepidvc.com

Pinky Harris
326 Hamilton Street
Gretna, LA 70053
Pinky@PinkyHarris.com

Rebecca Waxman
home address preferred:
3456 Constance Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
rct6189@gmail.com

Sue Strachan
home address preferred:
1401 Napoleon Ave. #2
New Orleans, LA 70115
suestrachan16@gmail.com

Susan Pereira
601 Poydras St Suite 100
New Orleans, LA 70130
spereira@iberiabank.com


Provide a summary of the project or program:
           State capital outlay funds have been used for several phases of this project. In 2018 we purchased a state-of-the-art paper towel manufacturing machine and remodeled existing warehouse space to house this
machine. As a result of this project, we created nine new jobs for employees who are blind. Also as a result of this project, the Lighthouse needed additional warehouse space that was displaced by the new paper towel machine. In the current phase of the project, we are near completion of a new facility at our location at 123 State Street and S. Front Street to house both new manufacturing space as well as warehousing space. This
new facility will house new paper straw manufacturing equipment, which will also be purchased using capital outlay funds. The new space will include underground rain water retention tanks. This is an important project that will create new job opportunities for people who are blind as well as training opportunities and other services for people with all disabilities


What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $1,839,462

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?
          The mission of Lighthouse Louisiana (Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans, Inc) is to empower people with disabilities through services, employment, and advocacy.

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Gulfport create jobs for people who are blind. Proceeds from the sales of high-quality, commercially competitive products help fund services for people who are blind, Deaf, and who have other disabilities.

Nationwide, 70% of people who are blind are unemployed.

We help people get jobs, regain their independence, and challenge expectations of the capabilities of people with disabilities. Even as a century-old nonprofit, we're constantly evolving to better serve our community.

State capital outlay funds help us do just that- by investing in manufacturing equipment, creating new warehousing and manufacturing spaces- the state is helping create quality employment opportunities for people who are blind.


What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          The Lighthouse is a modern, efficient manufacturing facility with a highly productive workforce. This, along with our record of delivering quality products on time, has opened the door for additional contracts and commercial business. Funding equipment necessary to produce new products and create new jobs is the most challenging part of the business model. The one-time purchase of a piece of equipment creates jobs that last, generally, ten years or more. Our business and the long term contracts we receive add to the return value of dollars spent. The benefit to the community is in the payroll dollars that are spent, as well as the business provided to other entities such as material suppliers, freight companies, computer, and other service organizations.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           12/30/2021

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:
                 n/a
    
     (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:
                 n/a

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 n/a

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  n/a

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: 
               n/a

(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:
               n/a

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                n/a

          What is the nature of the relationship?  n/a

(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:
                 n/a

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               n/a


Contact Information
name:  Anne Jayes 
                                       address:  123 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118

                                       phone:  5048994501
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  AJayes@lighthouselouisiana.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Senior Director, Advocacy