Make It Right Foundation

Make It Right Foundation
Name	Make It Right Foundation
Founded	2007
Founder	Brad Pitt
Type	Nonprofit
Location	New Orleans
Area served	Lower 9th Ward
Key people	John Goodrich; Brad Pitt
Focus	Affordable housing; Sustainable design; Community redevelopment

Make It Right Foundation was an American nonprofit organization established in 2007 to rebuild housing stock destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. The organization commissioned architects and builders from across the United States to design and construct affordable, energy-efficient homes intended to serve residents displaced by the storm. It quickly attracted attention from figures in the entertainment, design, and philanthropic communities, and became associated with high-profile initiatives in sustainable architecture and disaster recovery.

History

The foundation was announced by Brad Pitt following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and formally launched with support from celebrity advocates such as Angelina Jolie and partners from Hollywood and New York City. Early fundraising efforts included benefit events linked to institutions like the Academy Awards and collaborations with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Make-A-Wish Foundation. The project concentrated on the Lower 9th Ward—a neighborhood that had been profoundly affected by levee failures after Katrina and which had been the subject of studies by agencies including the United States Army Corps of Engineers and advocacy groups such as the Voices of the Wetlands. Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, the foundation worked with firms and practitioners from the architecture community, including designers who had exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and practitioners trained at universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and Columbia University.

Mission and Projects

The stated mission focused on building affordable, sustainable housing for returning residents of the Lower 9th Ward and promoting resilient design in disaster-impacted communities. Signature projects included a series of single-family houses designed by notable architects and firms that had exhibited at venues like the AIA conferences and institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. The foundation also initiated community-oriented projects that linked to local institutions including Tulane University and Dillard University for neighborhood planning and research. Other project partners included nonprofit and philanthropic institutions such as the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and regional development agencies in Louisiana.

Design and Construction Practices

The foundation sought to implement cutting-edge sustainable technologies—such as elevated slab construction informed by standards promoted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and energy systems discussed in publications like Architectural Digest and The New York Times. The designs were created by architects with connections to programs at Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, and University of California, Berkeley. Construction techniques drew on prefabrication methods utilized by firms showcased at the Salone del Mobile and materials testing expertise associated with laboratories at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The houses featured measures intended to meet environmental standards comparable to those published by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and to incorporate resilient siting practices discussed in reports from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Post-Katrina Impact and Community Relations

Initial occupancy brought attention from media outlets such as CNN, BBC, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker, and the project became a case study in courses at universities including Yale University and Princeton University. The foundation undertook outreach with local organizations such as the Lower Ninth Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network and regional elected officials including members of the Louisiana Legislature and the New Orleans City Council. Community relations efforts intersected with initiatives by civic groups like the Greater New Orleans Foundation and cultural institutions including the Backstreet Cultural Museum. Academic evaluations by researchers affiliated with University of New Orleans and Loyola University New Orleans examined social and economic outcomes related to displacement, housing affordability, and neighborhood revitalization.

Controversies and Legal Issues

The project later became subject to scrutiny over construction defects, leading to reporting in publications such as ProPublica, The Times-Picayune, and The New York Times. Allegations concerned issues with materials, moisture intrusion, and structural failures that prompted investigations involving contractors and firms represented by organizations like the American Institute of Architects. Legal actions included lawsuits and settlements among homeowners, builders, and insurers, with cases addressed in Eighth Judicial District Court (Louisiana) and involving insurance regulators in Louisiana Insurance Commissioner's Office. The disputes prompted reviews by nonprofit oversight bodies and watchdog organizations including Charity Navigator and commentary from civic leaders such as former and current Mayor of New Orleans officeholders.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding streams combined celebrity-driven philanthropy, private donations, and grants from institutional funders including foundations such as the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and regional banks like Whitney Bank. Corporate and professional partnerships involved firms in construction and design showcased at trade venues like the International Builders' Show and suppliers with procurement ties to municipal programs administered by the State of Louisiana. The foundation also engaged with national nonprofit networks such as Habitat for Humanity and collaborated with research institutions including Tulane University School of Architecture and federal programs associated with Federal Emergency Management Agency grants.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States Category:New Orleans