Shapiro Family Foundation awards $40,000 to nonprofits to combat hunger and advance educational access in New Orleans

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – The Shapiro Family Foundation, a new family-rooted nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and advancing educational access, awarded its first round of grants totaling $40,000 to four local New Orleans nonprofits. The grants, part of the foundation’s inaugural funding cycle, were presented Sept. 24 at the Nourish & Flourish Awards Ceremony, held at the Junior League of New Orleans and included remarks from Judge Jennifer Medley.

The Shapiro Family Foundation aims to create lasting positive change by addressing disparities in hunger relief and education access within the New Orleans community. Grants were prioritized for organizations serving low-income or under-resourced populations and focused on addressing systemic barriers to food security and education equity. The awards provide 12-month funding for each recipient.

The 2025 grant recipients are:

  • unCommon Construction: Grant funding will cover transportation and meal costs, ensuring the nonprofit’s apprentices can safely get to work sites with a full stomach and the focus they need to learn and make safe choices.  

  • Early Partners: Funding will support an Early Language & Literacy Specialist to coach educators and develop resources, improving literacy outcomes for young children.

  • Raintree Children & Family Services: Funding will expand holistic food and nutrition support for children and families experiencing food insecurity, many of whom are navigating foster care, poverty, trauma and developmental delays.

  • Lantern Light: The grant will support the "Healthy Eating for a Healthier Life" initiative, broadening access to fresh food and nutrition education for low-income and unhoused individuals in New Orleans.

"We are incredibly proud to support these four organizations that are making a real difference in the lives of New Orleanians," said Allie Shapiro, Executive Director of the Shapiro Family Foundation. "These inaugural grants are a significant step toward our mission of addressing the core issues of food insecurity and educational inequity. We believe that by investing in these local leaders, we can help build a stronger, more equitable future for our city."

In addition to the grant awards, the Shapiro Family Foundation also recognized two nonprofits for their outstanding contributions to the community through Community Impact Awards. These recognitions were presented to Amanda and Chef Isaac Toups of Toups' Family Meal and Clover New Orleans.

The Shapiro Family Foundation's next grant cycle will open for applications in January 2026. Nonprofits interested in applying can find more information on the foundation’s website, shapirofamilyfoundation.com, in the coming months.

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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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