The Tolmas Charitable Trust concentrates large, targeted grants to regional nonprofits that deliver direct human services and community supports in the New Orleans/Metairie area. Their giving favors operational or general support to established service providers addressing homelessness, housing stability, and broad social-service needs. The foundation appears to prioritize a small number of high-dollar awards rather than many modest gifts, focusing on organizations with strong local impact.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a very small number of regional social service organizations (few large awards rather than many small grants); funding appears unrestricted or for core mission support.
Oscar J Tolmas Charitable Trust makes large unrestricted grants to local tax-exempt organizations serving New Orleans and the surrounding metro area. Its recent awards show repeated support for the same regional nonprofits over multiple years, including Bridge House Corporation, Volunteers of America Southeast La, and Community Sailing New Orleans Inc. The trust’s giving is aimed at mission support rather than individuals, with grants used to assist an organization’s tax-exempt mission. The trust also funds institutions tied to Jewish community life, education, healthcare-related work, and direct client services. Recent grants include support for Beth Israel and Jewish Children’s Regional Service in Metairie, along with awards to St Michael Special School and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The pattern points to a funder that backs established organizations already rooted in Southeast Louisiana, rather than one making broad, dispersed grants. Across the recent grant list, the trust appears to favor substantial awards and repeat relationships with recipients that deliver housing, shelter, community services, and other direct support in the local region.
Housing and homelessness services are a major theme in the trust’s giving. It awarded $337,500 to Bridge House Corporation in 2025, following $175,000 in 2023 and $160,000 in 2024 to the same organization. Volunteers of America Southeast La also received support in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including $322,000, $200,000, and $175,000. The trust also backs Jewish community organizations and related services. Recent grants include $104,122 to Beth Israel in 2025, $102,700 to Jewish Children’s Regional Service in 2025, and $90,000 to Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans in 2023. Education and special-needs support appear as additional priorities. St Michael Special School received $100,000 in 2024 and $80,000 in 2025, while Junior Achievement of Gno Inc received $75,000 in 2025.
Typical grant sizes cluster at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent list also includes much larger awards in the six-figure range. The trust repeatedly funds the same organizations across multiple years, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. It makes unrestricted charitable grants through its general grantmaking program and does not accept unsolicited requests. The trust does not fund individuals.
$2.9M
$58M
$4.3M
$4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Notable grantees: Bridge House Corporation, Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana
The trust gives locally, and 95% of grants go to recipients in Louisiana. New Orleans is the main recipient city in the recent list, with additional awards to organizations in Metairie and Mandeville. Hammond also appears as a recipient location. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 210 grants in the United States and none outside it.
Its general grantmaking supports primarily local tax-exempt charitable organizations. Recent grants show support for housing and homelessness services, Jewish community institutions, education, healthcare-related projects, community services, and direct client support.
No. The active grant program lists unsolicited requests as not accepted.
The grant-size distribution centers at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Bridge House Corporation, Volunteers of America Southeast La, and St Michael Special School, showing a recurring grant pattern.
Giving is highly local. Louisiana is the top state by grant count, and 95% of grants go to recipients in Louisiana.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRIDGE HOUSE CORPORATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $325,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | COVINGTON, LA | $200,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA SOUTHEAST LA | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $175,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| WYES | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $125,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| JEWISH CHILDREN'S REGIONAL SERVICE | METAIRIE, LA | $112,554 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| ST MICHAEL SPECIAL SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $108,732 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL | METAIRIE, LA | $104,247 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $100,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| UNO FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $92,500 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| KELLY GIBSON FOUNDATION | MANDEVILLE, LA | $85,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| RAINTREE CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $80,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GNO | METAIRIE, LA | $75,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| FIRST TEE OF GNO | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $65,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| MAGNOLIA COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | JEFFERSON, LA | $61,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| CAFE RECONCILE | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $60,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| CROSSROADS NOLA INC | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $58,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| UPTURN ARTS | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $55,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| PLEASE FOUNDATION | METAIRIE, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GNO INC | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| OPTIONS INC | HAMMOND, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| ARC OF GNO | METAIRIE, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| NEXTOP | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| NEW ORLEANS CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY INSTITUTE | METAIRIE, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS INC | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| YEP | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| NEW ORLEANS BALLET ASSOCIATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL | METAIRIE, LA | $46,800 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE NEW ORLEANS | METAIRIE, LA | $41,500 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| JAMES SAMARITAN | COVINGTON, LA | $41,250 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| BRIGHT SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF | METAIRIE, LA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| CITY PARK CONSERVANCY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| NEW HEIGHTS THERAPY CENTER | FOLSOM, LA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| ANGELS' PLACE | METAIRIE, LA | $39,750 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| HILLEL FOUNDATION OF NO | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $36,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| COVENANT HOUSE NEW ORLEANS | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $30,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| EDEN CENTERS FOR HOPE AND HEALING | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $30,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| BRAIN INJURY ASSN OF LA | MANDEVILLE, LA | $27,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| KID SMART | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| 18TH WARD | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| BROTHER MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $24,500 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| CHILD ADVOCACY SERVICES | HAMMOND, LA | $22,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS LA INC | COVINGTON, LA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| CRIMESTOPPERS INC | METAIRIE, LA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| RESTORATION HOUSE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CTR | HAMMOND, LA | $17,500 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| AUTISM SOCIETY OF GNO | METAIRIE, LA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| COLLEGE BEYOND | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| ARCHBISHOP CHAPELLE HIGH SCHOOL | METAIRIE, LA | $14,500 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| ST MARY'S DOMINICAN HS | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $14,500 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $14,500 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
| LA PULMONARY DISEASE CAMP | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION |
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA SOUTHEAST LA
$175,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
ST MICHAEL SPECIAL SCHOOL
$108,732TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL
$104,247TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
LOUISIANA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
$100,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
UNO FOUNDATION
$92,500TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
KELLY GIBSON FOUNDATION
$85,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
RAINTREE CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES
$80,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
JEWISH FEDERATION OF GNO
$75,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
FIRST TEE OF GNO
$65,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
CAFE RECONCILE
$60,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
CROSSROADS NOLA INC
$58,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
UPTURN ARTS
$55,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GNO INC
$50,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
ARC OF GNO
$50,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
COMMUNITY SAILING NEW ORLEANS INC
$50,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL
$46,800TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE NEW ORLEANS
$41,500TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
JAMES SAMARITAN
$41,250TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
BRIGHT SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
$40,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
NEW HEIGHTS THERAPY CENTER
$40,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
ANGELS' PLACE
$39,750TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
HILLEL FOUNDATION OF NO
$36,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
EDEN CENTERS FOR HOPE AND HEALING
$30,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
BRAIN INJURY ASSN OF LA
$27,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
BROTHER MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL
$24,500TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
SPECIAL OLYMPICS LA INC
$20,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
CRIMESTOPPERS INC
$20,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
RESTORATION HOUSE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CTR
$17,500TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
AUTISM SOCIETY OF GNO
$15,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
ARCHBISHOP CHAPELLE HIGH SCHOOL
$14,500TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
ST MARY'S DOMINICAN HS
$14,500TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$14,500TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION
LA PULMONARY DISEASE CAMP
$10,000TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX EXEMPT MISSION