Shapiro Family establishes foundation to deepen decades-long community commitment

Written By Alicia Vial

Shapiro Family Foundation will distribute up to $40,000 in grants in first year

NEW ORLEANS – Driven by a profound commitment to give back to their community, Dan Shapiro, his wife Debbie, and daughter, Allie Shapiro Dandry, announced today the establishment of the Shapiro Family Foundation. This new foundation aims to create lasting positive change throughout New Orleans by addressing disparities in hunger relief and education access and equity. The foundation is set to award up to $40,000 in grants during its first year, and applications are now open.

The Shapiro family's roots in community engagement run deep, having consistently supported various initiatives over the years such as the American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Junior Achievement of New Orleans and the Good Shepard School, to name a few. Raising a million dollars collectively through their private and business efforts over the last 10 years, their philanthropic efforts have now culminated in the formal establishment of the Shapiro Family Foundation which will partner with local nonprofits with deep connections to the communities they serve to help expand their reach, strengthen their programs and ultimately create lasting positive change throughout New Orleans.

Dan Shapiro, a dedicated business leader and committed philanthropist in the greater New Orleans area for more than four decades, played a pivotal role in the remarkable growth of Krispy Krunchy Chicken, a Louisiana based company. In 2006, he joined the company as an owner and Executive Vice President with a mission to grow it nationally and currently serves as Chairman of the Board, a testament to the family's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication. The foundation embodies Dan’s core belief that sustainable success must be shared and reinvested into the community.

“We envision a Louisiana where every family has access to nutritious food, every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed and every community has the tools to thrive,” says Dan. “The Shapiro Family Foundation is rooted in our family's legacy of service and civic leadership, and we believe that sustainable change is built through collaboration, trust and a deep understanding of local needs.”

Allie will serve as the foundation’s executive director, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous role as the director of philanthropy for the Krispy Krunchy Chicken Foundation and the previous 15 years as director of marketing. A recognized force in Louisiana's philanthropic and business communities, she played a pivotal role in establishing Krispy Krunchy Chicken’s digital and social footprint and building its corporate social responsibility and community impact initiatives. Under Allie’s leadership, she mobilized the organization’s disaster relief efforts to help provide more than 20,000 free meals to communities affected by hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This foundation isn’t just an extension of our family's values—it’s personal for me,” said Allie. “I grew up understanding the importance of community investment, and this foundation is an opportunity to directly influence meaningful change in the city we love.

Grants will be prioritized for New Orleans area nonprofits that serve low-income or under resourced populations with a focus on addressing systematic barriers that address hunger relief and/or education access and equity. Grants will be awarded for a 12-month funding period for up to $10,000 each. The grant application is now live and will close Aug. 1. The first round of grant recipients will be announced in September.

To learn more about the Shapiro Family Foundation and grant opportunities visit shapirofamilyfoundation.com.

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About the Shapiro Family Foundation:
Founded in 2025, the Shapiro Family Foundation is committed to fostering a more equitable and thriving community in New Orleans by addressing disparities in hunger relief and championing education access and equity. The foundation partners with local nonprofits with deep connection to the communities they serve to help expand their reach, strengthen their programs and ultimately create lasting positive change throughout New Orleans. To learn more about the Shapiro Family Foundation and upcoming grant cycles visit shapirofamilyfoundation.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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