Together, let's elevate New Orleans

Help us give one underserved New Orleans school a year it will never forget — funded programs, community initiatives, signature events, and a Foundation that shows up for our city's future.

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1 in 3
New Orleans children
lives in poverty
Did you know?

Our kids are carrying more than backpacks

Of the roughly 71,000 children growing up in New Orleans, one in three lives in poverty — more than double the national rate. Behind that number are schools asked to do more with less, teachers digging into their own pockets, and students with talent that deserves backing. That's where we come in: one school, one year, everything we've got.

Source: The Data Center, New Orleans Youth Dashboard (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024)

Give Now

Think your school should be next?

We're selecting our first Elevate NOLA partner school for the 2026–27 year with district leadership — and nominations are open now. Tell us about your school in a few sentences.

Nominate a School
More Ways to Help

Here are ways to get involved

We envision a New Orleans where every student has real opportunities and real role models. Here's how you can help us get there:

Sponsor a Program

Put your name on Music Education, Driver's Ed, Teacher Appreciation, or Senior Creative Sponsorships — the work students feel most.

Learn More →

Volunteer

Leadership & Discipline Day and Community Health & Clean-Up Day run on volunteers. Bring your family, your crew, or your whole office.

Learn More →

Host a Fundraiser

Hold a fundraiser at your business, school, church, or club — we'll supply the materials and the mission.

Learn More →

Our commitment in numbers

Year One · 2026–27
0
Partner School
0
Funded Programs
0
Yearly Community Event
0%
Stays in New Orleans
Chip Forstall, founder of The Forstall Foundation
A Letter from Chip

"New Orleans raised me."

For nearly thirty years, I've tried to return the trust this city gave me — showing up for local causes, putting our jingle in the hands of homegrown musicians, and mentoring the young attorneys coming up behind me. Not for recognition. Because that's what you do for the place that made you.

Now, as I step back from the daily practice of law, I'm turning toward New Orleans with more time, more focus, and one conviction I've carried my whole career: our kids and young adults are the future of this city. Every dollar this Foundation raises stays right here, doing work you can see — and I will guard it the way I've guarded every client who ever walked through our doors. Like family.

My next chapter belongs to New Orleans. I'd be honored to have you with me.
Chip Forstall
Founder · The Forstall Foundation
Our Vision

A city that shows up for its kids

We envision a New Orleans where every student has real opportunities and real role models — where talent gets backing, teachers get honored, and the next generation stays, builds, and leads right here at home.

OpportunityDisciplineCommunity
The Forstall Foundation

Our mission

The Forstall Foundation exists to invest in the next generation of New Orleans — one school, one student, one year at a time. We fulfill that mission with care, presence, and the same promise our family has kept for nearly thirty years: we treat people the way we'd want our own family treated.

How we help

Through Elevate NOLA, we partner with one underserved New Orleans school for a full academic year — funding the Young Musicians Program, Food Lab, Tutoring Lab, Teacher Appreciation, and Athletics & Clubs, plus Leah Chase Day, our signature community event. Concentration beats dilution: one deep partnership puts every dollar where kids actually feel it.

Our story

The Foundation is the next chapter of a family legacy. Since 1997, the Forstalls have served New Orleans through the Law Offices of Chip Forstall — and given back through community contributions, local music, and mentorship. As Chip steps back from daily practice, that energy now goes to the city's kids.

Learn More About Elevate NOLA
100%
of every dollar raised stays in New Orleans, doing work you can see
Partner School Photography
Arriving with the 2026–27 launch announcement.
1997
the year the Forstall family began taking care of New Orleans
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