Discover the best non-profit organizations in Louisiana.
Filtered by Community Services, Healthcare, Education, Environment, or Arts & Culture to find your passion.
Sorted by popularity, impact, and more. Get involved and make a difference today.
Community Services Non-Profits
| Organization | Location | Founded | Focus | Impact | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Second Harvest Food Bank |
New Orleans | 1982 | Hunger relief, disaster response | Serves 23 parishes, 40M+ meals annually | no-hunger.org |
Volunteers of America Southeast LA |
New Orleans | 1896 | Housing, veterans, elderly care | Serves 50,000+ people annually | voasela.org |
United Way of Southeast Louisiana |
New Orleans | 1924 | Community development, education | $15M+ invested in community programs | unitedwaysela.org |
Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge |
Baton Rouge | 1964 | Crisis response, family services | Assists 11,000+ individuals annually | ccdiobr.org |
Healthcare Non-Profits
| Organization | Location | Founded | Focus | Impact | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Louisiana Cancer Research Center |
New Orleans | 2002 | Cancer research, prevention | Coordinates multi-institutional research | louisianacancercenter.org |
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center |
Baton Rouge | 1971 | Cancer treatment, screening | Serves 18 parishes with screening programs | marybird.org |
St. Thomas Community Health Center |
New Orleans | 1987 | Primary care for underserved | 20,000+ patient visits annually | stthomaschc.org |
Education & Youth Development Non-Profits
| Organization | Location | Founded | Focus | Impact | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana |
Monroe | 1963 | Youth development programs | Serves 3,000+ youth annually | bgcnla.org |
Teach For America – South Louisiana |
New Orleans | 1990 | Education equity | 300+ teachers in high-need schools | teachforamerica.org/south-louisiana |
KIPP New Orleans Schools |
New Orleans | 2005 | K-12 education | Operates 10 public charter schools | kippneworleans.org |
Environmental Conservation Non-Profits
| Organization | Location | Founded | Focus | Impact | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana |
New Orleans | 1988 | Coastal restoration | 4M+ native plants, 33,000+ ft oyster reef | crcl.org |
Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation |
New Orleans | 1989 | Water quality, sustainability | Monitors 25+ sites across the basin | saveourlake.org |
The Nature Conservancy – Louisiana |
Baton Rouge | 1984 | Habitat conservation | Protected 285,000+ acres statewide | nature.org/louisiana |
Arts & Culture Non-Profits
| Organization | Location | Founded | Focus | Impact | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra |
New Orleans | 1991 | Classical music, education | Reaches 20,000+ students annually | lpomusic.org |
Preservation Resource Center |
New Orleans | 1974 | Historic preservation | Restored 1,500+ homes | prcno.org |
Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities |
New Orleans | 1972 | Cultural programming | Supports programs in all 64 parishes | leh.org |
Louisiana Charitable Solicitation Registration Information
Before exploring Louisiana’s top non-profits, it’s important to understand the state’s charitable solicitation requirements.
Louisiana has specific regulations governing how charitable organizations can operate and fundraise within the state.
Registration Requirements
Louisiana does not require charitable organizations to register with the state before soliciting contributions from the public.
Unlike many other states, Louisiana has no formal charitable solicitation registration process administered by the Secretary of State or Attorney General.
However, organizations should note:
- Non-profits must still register as legal entities with the Louisiana Secretary of State
- Federal tax exemption requirements through the IRS still apply
- Local permits may be required for certain fundraising activities
Disclosure Requirements
While registration is not mandatory, Louisiana law (La. R.S. 51:1901-1909) does require certain disclosures:
- Charitable organizations must provide, upon request, a financial statement showing the amount of funds collected and how they were disbursed
- Professional fundraisers must disclose their status when soliciting
Exemptions
Certain organizations are exempt from disclosure requirements, including:
- Religious organizations
- Educational institutions
- Organizations that solicit solely from their membership
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