Deep Fried Awards $20K Website Grant to Rebuilding Together New Orleans in Honor of 20-Year Milestone 

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – In celebration of its 20th year in business, Deep Fried Advertising has awarded its 20 for 20 Nonprofit Website Grant to Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO), a New Orleans-based nonprofit that has spent nearly four decades helping low-income homeowners stay safe, secure, and housed through free critical home repairs.

Deep Fried created the $20,000 in-kind grant to support a standout Southeast Louisiana nonprofit with a much-needed website redesign. After reviewing 23 compelling applications received in July during a 30 day application period, the team selected RTNO based on several criteria, including the organization’s historic and current impact; clarity of vision; the extent to which their current website was holding them back; and potential for future growth and increased impact through improved digital engagement.

RTNO’s powerful story of growth, resilience and local impact—paired with a clear need for a more strategic digital presence—made them a standout candidate. As they embark on launching a new Resiliency Center on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a refreshed website will allow them to better engage donors, tell their story and extend their reach.

“RTNO’s application demonstrated exactly what this grant was created to support — a deeply rooted organization doing life-changing work, in need of a stronger digital presence to help them reach the next level,” said Jennie Westerman Diemont, President and Chief Creative Officer of Deep Fried. “Their story, scale, and sense of purpose stood out in a very competitive field, and we’re thrilled to partner with them to build a website that parallels the strength of their mission.”

Originally founded in 1988 when the Preservation Resource Center instituted a one-day neighborhood revitalization program in the Lower Garden District, RTNO has grown to help veteran, elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners live more safely and independently by providing free repairs that improve health, safety and energy efficiency. Following Hurricane Katrina, RTNO expanded their mission to aid in the rebuilding of storm-damaged homes. RTNO became an independent 501(c)(3) in 2019 and has rapidly expanded its staff, services and footprint since. From wheelchair ramps and lead remediation to post-storm roof replacements, their work builds resilience and preserves affordability in neighborhoods across Greater New Orleans. The organization now completes approximately 200 home repair projects annually — yet remains relatively unknown to those outside its immediate circle.

“For the last two decades, Rebuilding Together has worked to bring our neighbors home,” said William Stoudt, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together New Orleans. “We're incredibly grateful for Deep Fried's support as we embark on transformational changes in our organization in honor of the Katrina 20. Deep Fried is committed to investing in our work, our communities, and is helping us ensure that every neighbor has the right to live in a safe and healthy house.”

The timing of the grant coincides with RTNO’s upcoming launch of a Resiliency Center in partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana. The center is a new shared space for mission-aligned nonprofits and opens Aug. 29, 2025, the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Website planning and development will begin shortly after, with the new site expected to launch by the end of the year.

For more information about Deep Fried Advertising, visit deepfried.com.
To learn more about Rebuilding Together New Orleans, visit rtno.org.

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Editor’s Note: Images available here

About Deep Fried Advertising: Founded in 2004, Deep Fried is a full-service advertising and branding agency that blends strategy, creativity and digital innovation to build bold, lasting brands. Based in New Orleans, Deep Fried has spent two decades helping regional and national clients craft distinctive identities, launch high-impact marketing campaigns, and forge meaningful connections with their audiences. The team’s expertise spans branding, strategic marketing, creative services, integrated media placement, social media and interactive experiences — delivering results that cut through the noise. Discover more at www.deepfried.com.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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