Larchmont Organization Achieves Non-Profit Status, Returns to New Orleans

NOLA Tree—a Larchmont-based, youth-driven organization dedicated to rebuilding New Orleans—just received some great news.

The organization recently achieved non-profit status [officially IRS 501(c)(3)], a feat that will enable them to aid New Orleans with increased freedom and flexibility.

"Now that we're an independent non-profit organization, the training wheels are off," said Phil Bildner, a co-executive director of NOLA Tree. Binder and Ana Galan, the other co-executive director, blogged about their past Nola Tree experiences on Patch this spring.

Before achieving its new status, NOLA Tree was required to accept tax deductible donations through the IRS—now, however, they can do so through the NOLA Tree Web site.

"As an independent non-profit, it's [also] easier for us to apply for grant money," Bildner added. "Hopefully, we'll be awarded some funding through grants."

The results are particularly rewarding due to the long  and often arduous process of applying for non-profit status.  

"The application process was a long one," Bildner explained. "Fortunately, we had a great team helping us with it. And now that this hurdle is behind us, we can focus even more on our goals and mission."

NOLA Tree isn't resting on its laurels, however; this week, the group will be returning to New Orleans to help in rebuilding the area.

"We will be working with an organization called LowerNine.org on a variety of rebuilding projects," Bildner said. "We also will continue to develop ties [with] the community by attending homeowner's association meetings and town meetings. It's important for our volunteers to see the human and personal side of this tragedy."

NOLA Tree volunteers will come from as far as London and Madrid, Bildner added.

This will be NOLA Tree's second trip to New Orleans; they completed their first in the early spring.

"It was an incredibly rich and rewarding experience for everyone involved," Bildner said. "We worked on a number of projects in the Lower Ninth Ward, St. Bernard Parish and Kenner."

Bildner also noted the sentiment of civic responsibility is lasting.

"Most importantly, many of our volunteers returned home with an interest in civic engagement and desire to get involved with community service efforts within their own respective neighborhoods," he said.