Celebrate National Louisiana Day with These Five Grants

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series recognizing each of the 50 states by providing state specific grants for each. These articles follow the National Day Calendar Year. The calendar began celebrating each state in the order they entered the union in 2017 starting the week of Independence Day. Louisiana was the 18th state to join the union and is celebrated on Nov. 9.

So, in honor of National Louisiana Day, GrantWatch is sharing some of its favorite grants below that are specifically for the state.

Louisiana is famous for hosting numerous festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Bayou Country Superfest, Essence Music Festival, Voodoo Experience and its most popular, Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras takes place every year in New Orleans. It is traditionally on “Fat Tuesday,” the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. However, in New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a week-long festival. The celebration is a way to enjoy rich, fatty foods, dancing, and music before the fasting and obligations of Lent begin.

As well as its role in these festivals, Louisiana is notorious for its culture in general, including its rich history with jazz music. Live jazz plays in clubs all over New Orleans from the French Quarter to St. Claude. Louisiana also has a reputation for its cajun food. This style of cooking is a mix between French and Southern cuisines and came from the French who migrated from Nova Scotia.

There is also an interesting history behind how the state got its name. Louisiana was named in honor of French King Louis XIV. In addition, the state’s nickname is The Pelican State, as the brown pelican is the state bird and appears on Louisiana’s state flag.

Along with these interesting facts about the state, here are a few others you might not know.

10 Facts about The Pelican State

1. Most people consider it the Jazz Capital of the world.
2. In addition, the official state insect is the honey bee.
3. It is the only state in the country with “parishes” instead of counties.
4. The first U.S. opera took place there.
5. It is also home to the only cemetery that faces north-south rather than east-west.
6. You can get a $500 fine for delivering a pizza to someone without them knowing first.
7. It is the birthplace of Tabasco.
8. The state flower is the magnolia.
9. It is also home to the world’s largest bridge over a body of water. 
10. Finally, the Louisiana Native Guards were the first American army to swear in African American officers.

Five Louisiana-Specific Grants

1. Firstly, there are fellowships to Louisiana graduate students for projects addressing community health needs in eligible locations. The fellowship focuses on leadership development, as well as on improving the health status of underserved populations. Projects must address the health or social needs of an underserved population in the Greater New Orleans area.
2. Grants to Louisiana nonprofit organizations in eligible regions to support relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Funding is for nonprofit programs that fill an increased need for services due to the impact of the natural disaster and critical recovery and rebuilding services. Eligible applicants are organizations that serve Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Grand Isle residents.
3. There are also grants to Louisiana nonprofit organizations to address significant community needs. Funding is to support collaborative efforts towards improving education, health, and well-being for local residents. Focus areas include heart disease, diabetes, mental health, obesity, and disparities in access, quality, or cost.
4. In addition, there is funding for Louisiana nonprofit organizations to enhance the lives of children facing inequity. Supported projects should specifically address gaps for Louisiana’s African American children, particularly those children living in single-parent households or a low-income or geographically isolated community.
5. Finally, there are awards to a Louisiana PreK-12 teacher to recognize outstanding efforts to integrate agricultural themes into the general curricula. The purpose of this award is to highlight a teacher who instills the importance of agriculture in their students. Preference will be given to teachers who attend a Louisiana AITC Workshop.

GrantNews Notes

Want to celebrate National Louisiana Day with more grants? Be sure to check out GrantWatch’s website dedicated exclusively to grants for Louisiana. And for grants from all 50 states, check out our complete category list over at GrantWatch.

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