Louisiana’s non-profits are the heart of our communities, tackling everything from culture in New Orleans to helping families in Baton Rouge and protecting our precious environment.
This comprehensive guide explores the top non-profit organizations in Louisiana, provides essential information on establishing and maintaining non-profit status, and answers common questions about the non-profit sector in the state.
Whether you want to donate, volunteer, or establish your non-profit, this resource offers valuable insights into Louisiana’s diverse charitable ecosystem.
Top Non-Profit Organizations in Louisiana by Category
1. Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans
Category: Community Services
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: no-hunger.org
Founded in 1982, Second Harvest Food Bank is Louisiana’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving 23 parishes and distributing over 40 million meals annually.
Their programs include disaster response, nutrition education, and targeted initiatives for seniors and children facing food insecurity.
2. Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana
Category: Community Services
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: voasela.org
Established in 1896, this comprehensive human services organization provides support for veterans, seniors, and vulnerable populations through housing assistance, mental health services, and community development programs.
They serve over 50,000 individuals annually across southeastern Louisiana.
3. United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Category: Community Services
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: unitedwaysela.org
United Way of Southeast Louisiana focuses on education, income stability, health, and basic needs through strategic community investments and direct service programs.
They invest more than $15 million annually in community initiatives, working with a network of partner organizations across seven parishes.
4. Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge
Category: Community Services
Location: Baton Rouge, United States
Website: ccdiobr.org
Catholic Charities provides crisis response, family strengthening programs, and immigrant/refugee services throughout the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
Their community centers offer direct assistance to approximately 11,000 individuals annually, regardless of religious affiliation.
5. Louisiana Cancer Research Center
Category: Healthcare
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: louisianacancercenter.org
Established in 2002, the Louisiana Cancer Research Center coordinates cancer research, prevention, and treatment initiatives across multiple institutions.
Their collaborative approach brings together researchers from Tulane, LSU, Xavier University, and Ochsner Health to advance innovative cancer treatments.
6. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Category: Healthcare
Location: Baton Rouge, United States
Website: marybird.org
Founded in 1971, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center provides comprehensive cancer care, early detection services, and community education programs.
Their mobile screening units serve 18 parishes, with a particular focus on reaching medically underserved communities.
7. St. Thomas Community Health Center
Category: Healthcare
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: stthomaschc.org
St. Thomas Community Health Center delivers high-quality primary care services to underserved populations in New Orleans, regardless of ability to pay.
Established in 1987, they provide over 20,000 patient visits annually and offer integrated behavioral health, dental services, and specialty care.
8. Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana
Category: Education & Youth Development
Location: Monroe, United States
Website: bgcnla.org
Serving more than 3,000 youth annually, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Louisiana provides after-school programming, academic support, and character development activities.
Their evidence-based programs focus on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and leadership development.
9. Teach For America – South Louisiana
Category: Education & Youth Development
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: teachforamerica.org/south-louisiana
Teach For America’s South Louisiana region recruits, trains, and places teachers in high-need schools across the region.
Their network of over 300 corps members and alumni work to expand educational opportunities in underserved communities and advocate for systemic educational reform.
10. KIPP New Orleans Schools
Category: Education & Youth Development
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: kippneworleans.org
KIPP New Orleans operates a network of 10 public charter schools serving approximately 5,000 students from pre-K through 12th grade.
Their college-preparatory curriculum and extended school day model aim to increase college graduation rates among students from underserved communities.
11. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Category: Environmental Conservation
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: crcl.org
Founded in 1988, this science-based advocacy organization works to rebuild and protect Louisiana’s disappearing coastal wetlands.
Their restoration projects have planted over 4 million native plants and built more than 33,000 feet of oyster reef to stabilize vulnerable shorelines.
12. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation
Category: Environmental Conservation
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: saveourlake.org
Established in 1989, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (now Pontchartrain Conservancy) monitors water quality at more than 25 sites across the basin.
They lead initiatives to restore coastal areas, improve water quality, and educate the public about environmental stewardship.
13. The Nature Conservancy – Louisiana
Category: Environmental Conservation
Location: Baton Rouge, United States
Website: nature.org/louisiana
The Louisiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 285,000 acres of critical habitat statewide since 1984.
Their conservation projects focus on coastal restoration, sustainable forestry, and preserving the state’s unique biodiversity through science-based solutions.
14. New Orleans Cultural Arts
Category: Arts & Culture
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: artsneworleans.org
New Orleans Cultural Arts is an arts nonprofit in Louisiana, promoting local artists and cultural programs.
They provide educational outreach and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the city through various art forms and community events.
15. Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Category: Arts & Culture
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: lpomusic.org
Founded in 1991, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is the oldest full-time musician-governed orchestra in the United States.
Beyond their concert series, they reach more than 20,000 students annually through educational programs that bring classical music to schools throughout the region.
16. Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans
Category: Arts & Culture
Location:New Orleans, United States
Website: prcno.org
The Preservation Resource Center works to preserve New Orleans’ historic architecture and neighborhoods through restoration initiatives, advocacy, and education.
Since 1974, they have restored more than 1,500 historic homes and trained thousands of volunteers in preservation techniques.
17. Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
Category: Arts & Culture
Location: New Orleans, United States
Website: leh.org
As the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, LEH supports cultural programming in all 64 parishes.
Their initiatives include documentary productions, digital humanities projects, literacy programs, and publications that explore Louisiana’s rich cultural heritage.
Baton Rouge Charities
Baton Rouge, as Louisiana’s capital city, hosts numerous impactful charitable organizations.
Beyond Catholic Charities and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center mentioned above, notable Baton Rouge-based non-profits include:
- Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank: Distributes over 12 million pounds of food annually to 11 parishes
- Capital Area United Way: Focuses on education, income stability, health, and basic needs
- McMains Children’s Developmental Center: Provides therapy services to children with disabilities
- Companion Animal Alliance: Operates the parish animal shelter and adoption center
- Mental Health Association of Greater Baton Rouge: Offers mental health education and support services
Louisiana Non-Profit Search Resources
Finding information about non-profit organizations in Louisiana has become increasingly accessible through various online resources.
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s database provides official registration information, while specialized directories offer more detailed insights into specific organizations.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nonprofit Organizations
The Louisiana Secretary of State maintains a searchable database of all registered non-profit organizations in the state.
This official resource allows you to verify an organization’s legal status, view corporate documents, and access basic contact information.
To search the database, visit the Secretary of State’s commercial division website and use the business search function.
Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits
The Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits is a statewide network supporting the non-profit sector through advocacy, education, and resource sharing.
Their member directory provides information on hundreds of non-profit organizations across the state, with options to filter by location, focus area, and services offered.
Louisiana Charities Trust Information
The Louisiana Charities Trust framework provides governance guidelines for charitable organizations operating as trusts within the state.
While many non-profits operate as corporations, those structured as charitable trusts must adhere to specific fiduciary responsibilities outlined in Louisiana trust law.
Charitable Solicitation Registration in Louisiana
Unlike many states, Louisiana does not require non-profit organizations to register with a state agency before soliciting donations.
However, organizations must still:
- Register as a legal entity with the Louisiana Secretary of State
- Obtain federal tax-exempt status if applicable
- Comply with disclosure requirements when soliciting funds
- Maintain truthful and transparent fundraising communications
While the lack of a formal registration process reduces administrative burdens, it also places greater responsibility on donors to research organizations before contributing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do non-profits in Louisiana make?
Non-profit revenue in Louisiana varies widely based on organization size, mission, and funding sources. According to recent economic impact studies:
- The average annual revenue for small Louisiana non-profits (under $500,000) is approximately $175,000
- Mid-sized organizations ($500,000-$5 million) average around $2.1 million in annual revenue
- Large non-profits (over $5 million) have median revenues of approximately $12 million
- Healthcare non-profits typically have the highest revenues, followed by educational institutions
- The non-profit sector collectively contributes roughly $10 billion annually to Louisiana’s economy
What types of non-profits make the most money?
In Louisiana and nationally, the highest-revenue non-profit organizations typically include:
- Healthcare organizations: Hospitals, health systems, and specialized treatment centers generate significant revenue through patient services, insurance reimbursements, and grants.
- Educational institutions: Private universities, charter school networks, and educational foundations often have diverse revenue streams including tuition, endowments, and government funding.
- Community foundations: Organizations that manage and distribute charitable funds often control substantial assets and generate revenue through investment returns and administrative fees.
- Arts and cultural institutions: Major museums, performing arts venues, and cultural centers can generate significant revenue through admissions, memberships, and endowments.
- Large human service organizations: Established social service providers with government contracts, substantial donor bases, and diverse programming often have multi-million dollar budgets.
Revenue size, however, doesn’t necessarily indicate impact effectiveness, as many smaller organizations achieve remarkable outcomes with limited resources.
How much does a 501(c)(3) cost in Louisiana?
Establishing a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Louisiana involves several costs:
- State filing fees: $60-$100 for Articles of Incorporation with the Louisiana Secretary of State
- Federal 501(c)(3) application: $275 (Form 1023-EZ for small organizations) or $600 (standard Form 1023)
- Registered agent fees: $100-$300 annually if using a professional service
- Attorney fees: $1,000-$5,000 if using legal assistance for formation documents and IRS application
- Annual reporting fees: $25-$35 for annual reports to the Secretary of State
The total initial cost typically ranges from $435 (minimum DIY approach) to $6,000+ (with comprehensive legal assistance).
Ongoing compliance costs include annual state filings, accounting services, and potential audit expenses depending on organization size.
Many new non-profits reduce costs by using volunteer legal assistance through programs like the Louisiana Bar Association’s Pro Bono Project or university-based non-profit legal clinics.
Conclusion
Louisiana’s non-profits are crucial, from saving old buildings in New Orleans to feeding people in the country, they keep our state going.
While there are rules to follow, it’s pretty straightforward. If you’re starting a non-profit, learn from others and partner up.
To help out, whether you donate or volunteer, knowing the landscape is key.
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