Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc is a Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based public charity that supports arts and cultural activity in the capital region. Established in 1973, it provides grants, resources, arts education, and other cultural programs and services.
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc at a glance
In short: Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc gave $113K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Louisiana. 10% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $112,658
- -37.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- -33.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,266
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,329
- Total assets
- $6,950,999
- -2.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (1 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc
- How to Apply
-
The website describes program-specific application processes. The Derek E. Gordon Arts Fund page lists application materials but says to check for updates if the fund reopens.
- Review Cycle
- The FY27 Everett G. Powers Fund application closes October 29, 2026. The FY27 Louisiana Project Grants application closed June 12, 2026. Shaw Center subsidy applications must be submitted at least two months before the proposed event and are accepted while funds are available.
- Deadline
- The FY27 Everett G.
- Contact
Mailing address: 233 St Ferdinand Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 344-8558
Website: https://artsbr.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Baton Rouge Blues Foundation ($45K). Together the top 10 received $113K.
Grant Size Distribution
59 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 59 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Council’s website identifies its service region as Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupée, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, West Feliciana, and West Baton Rouge parishes. The listed 2025 grants all went to Louisiana recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 10 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $9K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $67K (2021) to $214K (2020). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $113K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge Blues Foundation Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $44,875 |
| Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $13,000 |
| Baton Rouge Little Theatre Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $9,563 |
| Of Moving Colors Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $9,031 |
| Arts Council of Pointee Coupe New Roads, LA | Support Participating Organization | $8,688 |
| Kids Orchestra Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $5,969 |
| Chez Fab Arts and Community Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $5,625 |
| Baton Rouge Gallery Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $5,469 |
| Palacios House of Arts Baton Rouge, LA | Support Participating Organization | $5,250 |
| Louisiana Library Foundation Baton Rogue, LA | Support Participating Organization | $5,188 |
Ready to take the next step with Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,950,999 | $2,319,456 | $2,705,780 | $112,658 | 10 | — |
| 2024 | $7,091,044 | $2,246,848 | $2,780,449 | $179,643 | 15 | — |
| 2023 | $8,061,858 | $2,453,326 | $2,652,096 | $185,833 | 15 | $5,107 |
| 2022 | $4,710,204 | $2,512,753 | $2,111,957 | $158,269 | 15 | $363 |
| 2021 | $4,204,341 | $2,911,704 | $1,457,471 | $67,269 | 4 | $453 |
| 2020 | $1,772,606 | $2,485,035 | $1,565,088 | $213,808 | 21 | $1,046 |
| 2019 | $610,547 | $1,563,522 | $1,516,370 | $139,386 | 14 | $1,692 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Council’s mission is to foster the creative capacity and vibrancy of the capital region through advocacy, resources, teaching, and training. Its website says it invests in artists and arts-based projects that enhance the cultural life of the parishes it serves.
Its programs include grants for innovative, community-based arts projects with lasting community impact; an annual award for a new project emphasizing creativity, innovation, and excellence; and assistance for eligible organizations to rent Shaw Center spaces for public arts and cultural events. The Council also offers arts education and artist resources.
Among organizations receiving Council grants in 2025, Kids Orchestra describes its mission as building a community of creative, confident, and socially engaged students through music education. Baton Rouge Gallery describes its mission as connecting audiences with local and national contemporary artists through exhibitions and innovative cultural programming.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Council reported 10 grants totaling $112,658. Awards ranged from $5,188 to $44,875, with a median of $7,328. The listed grants were for “Support Participating Organization,” and all grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana.
The largest listed awards were $44,875 to Baton Rouge Blues Foundation, $13,000 to Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, $9,563 to Baton Rouge Little Theatre, $9,031 to Of Moving Colors, and $8,688 to Arts Council of Pointee Coupe. Other listed recipients included Kids Orchestra ($5,969) and Baton Rouge Gallery ($5,469).
The Council’s website describes several grant opportunities:
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jonathan Grimes as President/CEO; Todd Sterling as Chair; Scott D Chenevert as Vice Chair; and Ralph Bender as Past Chair. It also lists Mikki Mathews, Lauren Tarver, Dianne Eysink, Amanda Spain, Micheline Millender, and Heather Kleinpeter as board members.
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc is led by Jonathan Grimes, President & CEO on every filing since 2024; 1 of 26 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jonathan Grimes
President & CEO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$157K (2024) → $175K (2025)
Todd Sterling
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dianne Eysink
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mikki Mathews
Board Member
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Bender
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robyn Merrick
Board Member
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott D Chenevert
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bubba Willis
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Candy Wright
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deidre Deculus Robert
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sherri McConnell
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney M Scott
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dai Nguyen
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert M Stuart III
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Creston Willis
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Heather Kleinpeter
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J Patrick Mulhearn
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Mack
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Micheline Millender
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amanda Spain
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Tormo Alvarez
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Tarver
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leah Marchand
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Nelms
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sabrina Galloway
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trey Godfrey
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Paul A Drew Tessier (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Bradley Sanchez (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jennifer Tormo (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Monique Scott Spaulding (2021–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Em Leblanc Cooper (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Darrell L Johnson Jr. (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Renee Chatelain (2019–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Adam Knapp (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Bryan Fontenot (2019–2022) — Past-Chair
- Former: Melissa Cresson (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Rose Hudson (2019–2021) — Past-Chair
- Former: Todd Queen (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Rhoman Hardy (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Sunny Mayhall (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Rob Wise (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Branden Barker (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Cary Koch (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Clarence O. Brown (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Monique Scott-Spaulding (2019–2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Randy Roussel (2019–2020) — Past-Chair
- Former: Robert Wise (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Rochelle Machen (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Shauna Sanford (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Candace Wright (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Alcibiades Tsolakis (2019) — Board Member
- Former: George Bell (2019) — Board Member
- Former: J. Dyke Nelson (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Nancy Stich (2019) — Past-Chair
- Former: Rei Heroman (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Sunny West (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $175K, to Jonathan Grimes (President/CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc
How much does Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc give each year?
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc gave $113K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $180K across 15 grants.
What is Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's typical grant size?
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's median grant in 2025 was $7,329, and its average grant was $11,266, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc that year got $6K on average.
Where does Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc give grants?
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baton Rouge, LA (8 grants).
Does Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support Participating Organization" (10 grants).
Who are Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's largest grantees?
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Baton Rouge Blues Foundation ($44,875), Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre ($13,000) and Baton Rouge Little Theatre ($9,563), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc?
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc reported $7.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What does Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc fund?
The Council’s mission is to foster the creative capacity and vibrancy of the capital region through advocacy, resources, teaching, and training. Its website says it invests in artists and arts-based projects that enhance the cultural life of the parishes it serves. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc?
The website describes program-specific application processes. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's EIN?
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-0735814. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 23, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 15, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Charles Lamar Family Foundation
Baton Rouge, LA
The foundation supports nonprofit projects in Pre-K–12 education, companion animal welfare, water resources, and other areas including conservation, social services, and arts and culture, usually in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area. Grants are typically around $20,780 by median, with awards generally ranging from $5,000 to $400,000. It describes competitive application rounds but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.8M
Grants
47
Total Given
$1.5M
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Baton Rouge, LA
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation supports nonprofits and community projects addressing needs such as education, health, human services, economic opportunity, and community resilience, primarily in Baton Rouge and Southern Louisiana. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,100 to $2,201,762, with a median award of $21,000. It offers competitive funding opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$342.7M
Grants
340
Total Given
$31.1M
Irene W & CB Pennington Private
Baton Rouge, LA
The foundation supports arts, health, education and social-emotional learning, public safety, economic development, disaster resilience, recreation, the environment, and accessibility, with most giving focused on Greater Baton Rouge. Its website says typical grants are $15,000–$30,000, with smaller annual grants and larger capital awards also possible. The 2024 filing says it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website invites eligible nonprofits to apply online.
Assets
$21.8M
Grants
130
Total Given
$5.5M
Pennington Family Foundation
Denham Springs, LA
The Pennington Family Foundation funds biomedical research, arts, health, youth development, education, and community services, primarily in Louisiana. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $450,000, with a median of $15,750. The foundation says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$37.8M
Grants
57
Total Given
$1.9M
Albemarle Foundation
Charlotte, NC
In 2024, the Albemarle Foundation funded emergency relief, education, community philanthropy, and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, among other causes. It made 147 grants totaling $3.65 million; awards ranged from $10 to $1,359,587, with a median of $1,000. Most grant dollars went to Delaware, with additional funding in the District of Columbia and North Carolina; the filing says applicants should contact the foundation and directs them to application materials, but does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$30.2M
Grants
147
Total Given
$3.7M
New Schools for Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA
New Schools for Baton Rouge funds efforts that expand access to excellent education, including school launches and growth, educator preparation, and community programs focused on equity, student growth, families, youth empowerment, and out-of-school time. Its 2025 grants ranged from $37,500 to $1 million, with a median of $182,500, primarily supporting work in Baton Rouge and Louisiana. Applications are currently closed; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$24.4M
Grants
8
Total Given
$2.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Louisiana
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arts-council-of-greater-baton-rouge-inc-morg_34b8395bc92641328bdc37e4cc7848b5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_720735814_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arts-council-of-greater-baton-rouge-inc-morg_34b8395bc92641328bdc37e4cc7848b5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?