12.06.2006 - 09:18am ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2006--Accenture(a) (NYSE: ACN) today announced a $600,000 donation to the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) to support the launch of its New Orleans Nonprofit Central resource cooperative. The resource cooperative will provide basic operations and technology services to nonprofits of all sizes in the Greater New Orleans region post-Hurricane Katrina.

The donation comprises a cash gift of $62,000 by the Accenture Foundation and approximately $538,000 of in-kind consulting and related services leveraging Accenture's management, technology and outsourcing expertise. The contribution will be used by LANO to assist its more than 170 New Orleans-based nonprofits in their missions to provide critical services such as preventive health care, elderly and counseling services, and job training. Accenture has been working with LANO since December 2005, first to develop a post-Katrina strategic plan and more recently to assist in developing the Nonprofit Central concept. The majority of the grant will be disbursed over the next six months.

Nonprofits helped by LANO's Nonprofit Central will have the opportunity to:

-- Provide essential services to returning New Orleans residents;

-- Redefine their services to meet the needs of New Orleans area citizens;

-- Utilize best practices in nonprofit management and leadership;

-- Collaborate and partner in new, needed ventures;

-- Increase their financial security and sustainability; and

-- Assist in creating a region where citizen participation and leadership are valued.

To help develop Nonprofit Central, Accenture is providing consulting services on a pro-bono basis in the areas of project management, organization and process design, and technology consulting. Accenture is also providing assistance to LANO in coordinating support across the coalition of Nonprofit Central service providers, each of which will provide support within its area of expertise - ranging from financial, operational, and marketing assistance to service delivery and volunteer management.

"More than one year after Hurricane Katrina, many local Louisiana nonprofits are still without buildings, donors, board members, volunteers, and staff. There is a great need for nonprofits to re-establish basic operations so they can focus on providing services," said Ed Fikse, Accenture's country managing director for the United States. "We're pleased to have the opportunity - and ability - to help with this important initiative. And in helping essentially 'rebuild' this local nonprofit community, we hope to positively impact many of those affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We are hoping Nonprofit Central will be a model that can be replicated for use in other areas."

"With so many citizens of Louisiana still displaced as a result of Hurricane Katrina, it is clear that something must be done to improve our ability to reach out and provide aid," said Melissa Flournoy, LANO's chief executive officer. "LANO appreciates the strategic leadership of Accenture in our efforts to re-energize and support the nonprofit sector in New Orleans. Accenture's consulting services and assistance are helping us develop a comprehensive intervention strategy to support hundreds of nonprofits that are committed to providing essential services to rebuild the city and the lives of our citizens."

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With approximately 140,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$16.65 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2006. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

About LANO

The Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) is a statewide network of nonprofits, foundations and individuals representing every region of our state, dedicated to the vision of strong, accountable, efficiently run nonprofits fulfilling every need in Louisiana. With nearly 1000 members, and branch offices opening across the state, our mission is to strengthen, promote and build the capacity of Louisiana's nonprofit sector through education, advocacy and member services. LANO is here to provide leadership, resources and forums to strengthen Louisiana's communities one nonprofit at a time. Its homepage is www.lano.org.

(a) References to Accenture include Accenture Ltd and its subsidiaries as well as independent charitable organizations that bear the Accenture name.



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