This year, through the generous support of its donors, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation was able to award grants totaling almost $545,000. This is the fourth PBPF grant cycle, with the grant total growing each year. Last year’s grants totaled $320,000.

2011-2012 Report To Donors

This year, through the generous support of its donors, the Pro Bono Publico Foundation was able to award 25 grants totaling almost $350,000. Grants will support the continuing process of transforming New Orleans public schools, assuring that all of New Orleans’ children have access to excellent schools. Nearly 75% of New Orleans students now attend public charter schools, and standardized testing shows dramatic improvement in student performance. These schools, and organizations supporting their important work, have been the main focus of PBPF investment, as well as the commitment of dozens of Rex members serving on their boards.

Recipients of 2010-11 Pro Bono Publico Foundation Grants

Since its founding in 1872, the School of Design has added chapter after colorful chapter to the history of Carnival in New Orleans. This is a story best told in pictures, and a new book, Rex: An Illustrated History of the School of Design, does just that, and for a wonderful cause. All proceeds after publication costs go directly to the Pro Bono Publico Foundation.

Assembled by Rex archivist, Stephen Hales, this book is filled with more than 260 beautiful images telling the story of Rex, the King of Carnival, from his appearance on horseback in the first Rex Procession through the 2010 Parade and Ball. Museums and private collectors have allowed use of images never before published, documenting not only the history of the Rex Organization but also tracing the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Photographs of modern Rex Parades and Balls show that the School of Design continues to build on its oldest traditions of beauty and spectacle.

Among the 12 chapter subjects are The Grand Ball, The Rex Procession, Rex and the Military, The Rex Den, and Rex: Symbols and a Song. The book’s final chapter, Pro Bono Publico, documents the new dimensions given to the Rex motto in the five years since Hurricane Katrina.

Priced at $35, Rex: An Illustrated History of the School of Design will be available for sale in area bookstores on November 15, in time for individual and corporate holiday giving. It is also available for online purchase through Publisher Arthur Hardy’s website, http://www.arthurhardypublishing.com/books/rex.php.

Times-Picayune Review

The Pro Bono Publico Foundation has awarded nearly $220,000 in grants to schools and to organizations helping schools succeed in their educational missions.  This is the third cycle of grants made by the Foundation, which was organized by members of the Rex Organization to help support initiatives vital to the recovery of the city following post-Katrina flooding.  The Foundation takes its name from the Rex motto, “Pro Bono Publico,” which means “for the public good.”

Rex members directly contribute most of the funds committed through PBPF grants, and their donations allowed this year’s grant total to grow by $65,000, a 40% increase over last year’s total of $154,000. Grants have focused on schools and organizations supporting the vital mission of educating New Orleans’ children.

Pro Bono Foundation leaders said their on-going support for public education in New Orleans is based on their belief that no part of the city’s recovery has offered more hope, as well as evidence of solid progress, than the reform of our failed system of public schools. New Orleans has become a model of educational reform, and children now have access to a network of successful and accountable schools, predominantly charter schools, which now serve over 60% of our students.

The drive for system-wide school reform in New Orleans has attracted not only strong and enthusiastic local support but also generous national assistance.  Organizations such as Teach for America and KIPP have joined local organizations such as New Schools for New Orleans and New Orleans Outreach to assure that the process of renewal and reform succeeds.  Rex members have helped lead and support many of these organizations and schools, and many have received grants from the Pro Bono Publico Foundation.

This year’s grant recipients (* indicates first-time grant recipients):

Charter Schools:

• New Orleans Charter College Prep
• Warren Easton Charter High School
• KIPP New Orleans Schools (operating five charter schools)
• First Line Schools* (operating two charter schools)
• McDonogh City Park Academy*
• Crocker Arts and Technology Charter School*
• Miller-McCoy Charter Middle and High School*

Other Schools:

• The Good Shepherd School
• Cathedral Academy
• New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA)
• Xavier University Preparatory School*

Supporting Organizations:

• Teach for America
• New Schools for New Orleans
• Center for Development and Learning
• New Orleans Outreach
• Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
• Communities in Schools*