Greater New Orleans Foundation Opens Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund

NEW ORLEANS, May 5, 2010 - In response to what may become the nation's worst environmental disaster
in decades, the Greater New Orleans Foundation has opened the Gulf Coast Oil
Spill Fund. Proceeds from this fund will support work that helps the
communities most affected by the oil spill in Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and
lower Jefferson Parishes. As for long-term recovery efforts, the Gulf Coast
Oil Spill Fund will help strengthen coastal communities against future
environmental catastrophes such as BP's Horizon oil spill which occurred on
April 20, 2010.

"Just as important as short-term relief is the strategy for addressing
the long-term effects of this disaster," said Albert Ruesga, president and
CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation. "While it is way too early to know
the full extent of this disaster, research shows there are still lingering
effects in Alaska from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989."

The Greater New Orleans Foundation administers similar funds that benefit
the region. In 1981 when the Mississippi River was tainted with a phenol
spill, the court approved a US$6 million settlement which became the
Foundation's Environmental Fund. This Fund's goal is to encourage ecological,
economic, and cultural vitality, resilience, and sustainability through
environmentally focused policies, programs, and projects.

"The Foundation partners with environmental experts and community leaders
to set goals and chart effective strategies, in order to purposefully support
work that is critical to the health and resiliency of our region," said Marco
Cocito-Monoc, director of regional initiatives. "With the Gulf Coast Oil
Spill Fund, we will work with environmental experts to bring action,
engagement, and evaluation."

Donations to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund can be made online at
www.gnof.org.

The Greater New Orleans Foundation is the community foundation serving
the 13-parish Greater New Orleans metropolitan area. We design and lead
initiatives that improve the region, connect donors to community needs,
identify and support great nonprofits, and strengthen civil society.

Martha Landrum of Greater New Orleans Foundation, +1-504-598-1290, martha at gnof.org