crescent fund

TOTAL FUNDS

$5,316.00

updated 05/21/10

In August 2005, we began to develop the Crescent Fund with our community of vendors and shoppers. Inspired by the giving circle renaissance, we invited alternative philanthropy innovators Athan Lindsay and Darryl Lester to town to spread the concept that philanthropy is civic engagement. Little did we know how much our lives were about to change when weeks later the Hurricane Katrina stoked the forces of philanthropy in our region for years to follow. In the wake of generous philanthropic responses to disaster, we also saw the need to initiate local civic engagement, investments, and the methods to pay back such investments via time, talent and treasure. In 2005 launched the Crescent Fund with a wing and prayer. By September 2008, we finally formalized the method for raising, distributing, and returning the wealth to the Market community when we rebranded our Market currency, The Crescent.

Find out who was funded during the Spring 2010 cycle!


We succeed by helping each other. With support from the National Rural Funders’ Collaborative, marketumbrella.org created the Crescent Fund to invest in vendors, shoppers and the community. 

Each time shoppers use a credit or debit card to purchase wooden tokens at the Crescent City Farmers Market, they can contribute $1 to the Crescent Fund. Vendors can also invest part of their earnings in the fund. 

Anyone can apply for a cash infusion of up to $500. Three times a year, the marketumbrella.org staff picks the projects most likely to benefit the local economy, improve local health and strengthen our community. 

Market shoppers vote for their three favorite projects. After six months, the winners repay the cash infusion with time (volunteering at the market), talent (sharing a special skill) or treasure (returning the money).

sample projects

We’re looking for ideas that promote health, commerce and the community. Learn what kinds of projects benefit this “triple bottom-line” and the different ways of returning the cash infusion through time, talent or treasure.

timeline and application

Like the phases of the moon, the Crescent Fund goes through cycles. Check here for upcoming deadlines and to download an application.

rules and regulations

Games are always more fun when we play by the rules. Before you apply, read all the Crescent Fund’s rules and regulations.

Thank you for voting this spring! Here are our cycle 4 winners! Next time you can apply!


Greener, Stronger, Smarter Kidz, Kedila Family Learning Center - New Orleans, LA

• Funds will be used to purchase garden tools and seeds needed to start a vegetable garden at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School. The garden will introduce inner city students, ages 6-14, that participate in the summer camp hosted by the Kedila Family Learning to gardening.
• Funds will be returned to the market through the service learning project that will bring students to the market for volunteer hours doing age-appropriate work during the six-weeks camp. 


Do It Yourself (DIY) Energy Auditing Kit, HandsOn New Orleans Tool Lending Library - New Orleans, LA

• Funds will be used to purchase items for a user-friendly DIY Energy Auditing Kit to be loaned out the Greater New Orleans Community including tools and a user-guide. Items would include electricity monitors, thermal leak detectors and sunlight meters; they would be items that homeowners and renters alike can use to assess simple ways to save energy.
• Funds will be returned to the market by offering a variety of treasures: 5 one-year memberships for $50 each; 4-5 picnic tables and or benches totaling at a $250 value; and a free workshop on one of five tasks: constructing a backed bench, constructing a picnic table, erecting a compost bin, building a chicken coop or a garden box. 


The Kids Rethink New Orleans Public Schools Summer Camp Lunch Program, The Rethinkers - New Orleans, LA

• Funds will be used to purchase groceries for lunch for 70 Rethinkers and Staff during their 6 week summer camp and the wages of Chef Katie Bingham. The Rethinkers will spend the camp working on top issues that students face including: a photo project documenting the city’s public schools; a regular column for The Trumpet; issues surrounding food justice; turning dreams into designs for future schools with architects.
• Funds will be returned to the market by encouraging schools and their partners to purchase at least $500 worth of fresh fruit from a CCFM vendor for use as the daily fruit snack.