Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation supports historical preservation, museums, arts and culture and parks in Louisiana.

IP TAKE: This is a not an accessible grantmaker for local nonprofits because it sticks to the same affiliated causes and organizations with its funding each year. However, call this funder to learn whether your project aligns with it’s grantmaking vision within its focus area noted on tax filings. This may help you get on its funding radar, which is crowded.

PROFILE: Established in 1974, the Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation is an operating foundation based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Kemper Williams was a Patterson, Louisiana native, entered the family lumber business and became the president of F.B. Williams Cypress Company. He served in both World Wars and was a brigadier general. He and his wife, Leila, lived in New Orleans, had two French Quarter residences and were collectors of local memorabilia. Today, the foundation is run by a board of directors who provide guidance and insight. It funds local efforts for historical preservation, museums, arts and culture and parks.

Grants for Arts and Culture, and Community Development

The Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past tax records indicate that it primarily funds efforts to further the historic collection that it is affiliated with and to also support a local park. It supports the preservation of Louisiana history and research projects for scholars. The Williams couple established the Historic New Orleans Collection to preserve historic material about the region and share it with the public. This collection spans 13 historical buildings on three campuses in the French Quarter of New Orleans and offers tours to the public. The foundation employs directors of research, curatorial programs, publications and development.

Past local grantees include St. Mary Parish Police Jury and various individuals for fellowship awards.

Important Grant Details

Grants range between about $1,000 and $5,000.  The funder typically awards less than $100,000 in grants per year. Grantmaking focuses on New Orleans, Louisiana and occasionally other parts of the South.

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits and only supports pre-selected organizations. Direct general questions to the staff at 504-566-7659.

PEOPLE:

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