The Meraux Foundation

What The Meraux Foundation does

The Meraux Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit family foundation established in 2010 by Arlene Meraux, headquartered in Violet, Louisiana, with all operations centered on St. Bernard Parish. The foundation's legal name is The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation, and its mission is to improve quality of life in the parish through an integrated portfolio of programs across five pillars: education, environment, community resilience, arts and culture, and economic development. It operates from Docville Farm, a 130+ acre property stretching from the Mississippi River to Lake Borgne that serves as the charitable hub hosting community events, educational programs, agricultural demonstrations, and the Center for Louisiana Citrus Innovation and Research.

The foundation's program portfolio includes the St. Claude Arts campus (a two-block arts and culture complex in Arabi, Louisiana with galleries, studios, the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, Art Conscious, and St. Claude Arts Park), the Play/Write Showcase (theater education reaching 475 students across 11 schools), AgMagic on the River (agricultural education with LSU AgCenter engaging 2,000+ students), the annual scholarship program (60 scholarships of $1,000 per year for four years each — 50 academic, 4 arts, 6 vocational — totaling over 1,060 scholarships awarded to date), Startup St. Bernard (an annual entrepreneur competition with a $110,000 prize package), Cook-Off for the Coast, Blues Brews & BBQ, the Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective (a multi-organization coastal restoration partnership that has planted 30,000+ trees and 33,000+ marsh grass plugs), and a Glass Recycling Program operated with Glass Half Full that has diverted 93,049+ pounds of glass from landfills since May 2023.

The foundation does not generate revenue from products or services. Its business model is that of a place-based philanthropic vehicle that deploys capital from real estate holdings and the endowment into direct charitable programming, grants, land donations, scholarships, and capital investments in community infrastructure. The board of directors is presided over by Rita Gue (Arlene Meraux's niece) with additional members Floyd Gue, Bill Haines, Chris Haines, and Sidney Torres III. Notable recent capital commitments include $3.7 million toward the Glass Half Full glass recycling facility in Chalmette (2024), a $320,000 endowment for LSU AgCenter citrus research professorships (2022), a $150,000 endowment for the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show (largest single donation in the show's 80-year history), and grant cycles exceeding $150,000 in donations in a single giving cycle. The foundation cut ties with the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation in April 2023 over opposition to the Port of New Orleans container terminal plans.

Name

The Meraux Foundation

Legal name

The Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation

Website

https://merauxfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Meraux Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2010 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. It deploys capital from landholdings into integrated programs spanning education, environment, arts and culture, community resilience, and economic development for parish residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation and Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

Keywords

• Community foundation grantmaking
• Scholarship program administration
• Coastal reforestation programs
• Arts and culture development
• Place-based philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Violet

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grantmaking and Charitable Programs: The Meraux Foundation generates no revenue from product or service sales. It operates as a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation established by Arlene Meraux, leveraging landholdings to benefit St. Bernard Parish. Revenue from real estate holdings is reinvested into charitable initiatives including scholarships, community programs, and coastal restoration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Meraux Foundation is a private family foundation that operates a portfolio of community programs in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, anchored by the 130-acre Docville Farm property. Its core offerings include annual scholarship awards to local high school graduates, coastal wetlands reforestation, glass recycling infrastructure investment, arts and culture programming (St. Claude Arts campus, Play/Write Showcase), agricultural education (AgMagic on the River), and economic development initiatives (Startup St. Bernard, Cook-Off for the Coast).

Product overview

The Meraux Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit family foundation that serves as a unified portfolio of community programs rather than a single product. Its core offerings center on Docville Farm as the central hub for charitable initiatives, complemented by distinct programs spanning arts and culture (St. Claude Arts campus, Play/Write Showcase, Blues Brews & BBQ), education (AgMagic on the River, Scholarship Program), economic development (Startup St. Bernard), and environmental sustainability (Glass Recycling Program, Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective, Cook-Off for the Coast). The Foundation leverages its landholdings to improve quality of life in St. Bernard Parish through place-based development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Docville Farm Historic 130-acre property stretching from the Mississippi River to Lake Borgne, serving as the foundation's center for charitable programs and community events, featuring the Arlene Meraux River Observation Center (AMROC), Center for Louisiana Citrus Innovation and Research, Docville Greenhouse, Lena Randazzo Torres Farmhouse, and Dave Thompson Event Barn.
• Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program providing 50 academic scholarships, 4 arts scholarships, and 6 vocational/career technical education scholarships to St. Bernard Parish Public School graduates. Each scholarship is $1,000 per year for four years, requiring completion of 18 college credit hours per year and 2.0 GPA maintenance.
• St. Claude Arts Two-block arts campus in St. Bernard Parish developed by the foundation to nurture the cultural economy. Includes studios, galleries, the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center, Art Conscious, and St. Claude Arts Park.
• Play/Write Showcase
• AgMagic on the River
• Startup St. Bernard
• Cook-Off for the Coast
• Glass Recycling Program Glass recycling initiative operated in partnership with Glass Half Full, including a drop-off hub at Docville Farm that has diverted over 93,000 pounds of glass from landfills since 2023, supported by a $3.7 million foundation commitment to develop a recycling facility in Chalmette capable of processing 300,000+ pounds of glass daily.
• Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective
• Blues, Brews & BBQ

Quantifiable outcome

• 93,049 pounds of glass diverted from landfills since May 2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Glass Half FullcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Nonprofit glass recycling organization; $3.7M commitment to support development of glass recycling facility in Chalmette capable of recycling 300,000+ pounds of glass daily
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Received $50,000 donation to ensure continued operations serving children in foster care in St. Bernard Parish
• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective working to plant 30,000+ trees and 33,000+ plugs of marsh grasses to restore bald cypress and water tupelo forests in the Central Wetlands near New Orleans
• Common Ground ReliefcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective focused on tree planting and wetlands restoration in areas affected by MR-GO closure
• Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement & DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective working on reforestation efforts in the Lower 9th Ward and St. Bernard areas
• Pontchartrain ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective providing science and coastal expertise for restoration efforts
• Louisiana Department of Agriculture and ForestrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing expertise and boats for tree planting operations in the Central Wetlands
• St. Bernard Wetlands FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical landowner, financial supporter, and founder of efforts to reforest the Central Wetlands; key partner in the collective
• Goat in the Road Productions (GRP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre and education nonprofit delivering Play/Write program to St. Bernard Parish schools; brings student-written plays to life on stage
• Prescription JoyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre company performing student-written plays at Play/Write Showcase
• Coffee House PlayersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre company performing student-written plays at Play/Write Showcase
• Restore the Mississippi River DeltacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Cook-Off for the Coast event; coalition working to restore Mississippi River Delta and Gulf Coast
• Vanishing ParadisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Cook-Off for the Coast; program launched by National Wildlife Federation and Ducks Unlimited for delta restoration advocacy
• St. Bernard Parish Coastal DivisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing support for Cook-Off for the Coast event and coastal initiatives
• Nunez Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of Cook-Off proceeds for Coastal Studies Scholarship Endowment; venue partner for Play/Write Showcase
• LSU AgCentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for agricultural research and education; hosts Center for Louisiana Citrus Innovation and Research at Docville Farm; delivers AgMagic on the River
• Community Center of St. BernardmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor grant recipient; receives donated satsumas from citrus research project; beneficiary of Blues Brews & BBQ proceeds
• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 40 Arpent Canal Wetlands Enhancement Terracing Project creating approximately 30,500 linear feet of earthen terraces
• Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit theatre relocated to St. Claude Arts campus; programs the St. Claude Arts Park and uses it to raise funds
• Art ConsciouscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt consulting business (framing, printing, gallery) and manager of St. Claude Arts Park; tenant in St. Claude Arts campus
• NOLA Mural ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization identifying artists and managing mural series along St. Claude Ave.
• Greater New Orleans, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization; President Michael Hecht praised Meraux Foundation's holistic approach to economic prosperity
• Startup St. BernardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness attraction and retention program created by foundation; annual Shark Tank-style entrepreneur competition with $110K prize package
• SPROUT NOLAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in home gardening guidance and urban agriculture education; collaborated on Gulf South Pawpaw Symposium
• Healthy Community ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing guidance on home gardening through community health initiatives
• St. Bernard Economic Development FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived $20,000 sponsorship to support job creation and economic development efforts (foundation later cut ties over Port terminal opposition)

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Established community foundation pooling donor funds for place-based impact across a defined geography. Comparable as a foundation operating across grantmaking, scholarship administration, and community programs within a single metro area.
• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana: Louisiana-focused coastal restoration nonprofit and founding partner of the Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective alongside the Meraux Foundation. Directly comparable as a Gulf Coast environmental/conservation grantmaking and program operator.
• Pennington Family Foundation: Louisiana-based private family foundation focused on health, education, and community development. Comparable as a place-based Louisiana family foundation executing integrated community programs with multi-million dollar commitments.
• Pontchartrain Conservancy: Partner in the Central Wetlands Reforestation Collective providing coastal science expertise to the Meraux Foundation's restoration work. Comparable as a Louisiana coastal/wetlands conservation organization doing reforestation and habitat work.

Emerging players

• Ducks Unlimited: National wetlands and waterfowl conservation organization partnered with the Meraux Foundation on the 40 Arpent Canal Wetlands Enhancement Terracing Project. Comparable for executing large-scale coastal/wetlands restoration work in Louisiana with multi-million project budgets.

Broad incumbents

• W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Large national private family foundation funding place-based community development, education, and economic mobility initiatives. Comparable at the model level as a multi-generational family foundation with integrated community programming and large multi-million grant cycles.
• Kresge Foundation: National private foundation investing in climate resilience, arts/culture, and community development. Comparable at the strategic level for combining environmental, education, and arts grantmaking across a multi-program portfolio.

Regional players

• LSU Foundation: Beneficiary of a $320,000 Meraux Foundation endowment for professorships and $150,000 livestock show endowment. Comparable as a regional institutional foundation administering scholarships, endowments, and academic programs in Louisiana.
• Greater New Orleans Foundation: Regional community foundation serving Southeast Louisiana including St. Bernard Parish; received $10,000 from the Meraux Foundation in 2023. Comparable as a Gulf South grantmaking and giving-services organization focused on regional community impact.

Others

• Cabazon Band Authority / Tribal Foundations (e.g., Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community): Comparable only at the structural level as another place-based philanthropic operator leveraging land/gaming-derived revenue to fund community programs, education, and environment. Not a direct peer but an instructive comparator for foundation capital allocation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DocvilleFarm
• Facebookfacebook.com/Docville.Farm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Meraux Foundation