Baton Rouge Area Foundation
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) is one of the largest community foundations in the United States, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Incorporated in 1964 and tax-exempt since November 1965, BRAF operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to improving quality of life in the greater Baton Rouge area and across south Louisiana. The organization serves eight parishes in south central Louisiana and manages over 500 charitable funds on behalf of donors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$342.7M
+6.6% YoY
Revenue
$56.9M
+4.2% YoY
Net Investment Income
$14.7M
-31.4% YoY
Expenses
$48.3M
-0.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
BRAF's mission is to unite human and financial resources to enhance the quality of life in southern Louisiana. The foundation pursues this mission through three key avenues:
- Catalyzing community change through civic projects and strategic initiatives guided by data and community need
- Fostering a strong philanthropic environment by supporting philanthropists at every stage of their giving journey
- Empowering changemakers and nonprofits through strategic consulting and capacity-building support
Primary funding areas include:
- Education, particularly facilitating investments and partnerships to improve primary and secondary education throughout south Louisiana
- Community development and safe, sustainable communities
- Clean energy initiatives across Louisiana
- Science education activities
- Human services benefiting the needy and community as a whole
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis for most grantmaking.
Grant Range
$20,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Baton Rouge Area Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves eight parishes in south central Louisiana, which comprise the greater Baton Rouge area. While primarily focused on south Louisiana, the foundation's grantmaking extends to Louisiana, Texas, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $342,730,306
- Total revenues: $56,922,835
- Total expenses: $48,295,519
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $321,000,000
- Total revenues: $54,600,000
- Total expenses: $48,600,000
- Total liabilities: $10,000,000
Giving Rate: Approximately 9.6% of assets annually
Staffing: 37 employees
Donor-Advised Funds: The foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $342,730,306 | $321,477,524 | $309,005,513 |
| Revenue | $56,922,835 | $54,623,777 | $36,560,561 |
| Expenses | $48,295,519 | $48,602,030 | $40,794,024 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $14,730,778 | $21,460,605 | $12,473,219 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 0 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Baton Rouge Area Foundation
BRAF Impact Grants
BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Competitive Grants: Farrnbacher Memorial Fund
BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Cox Charities Fund
BATON ROUGE AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to $5,000 (Community Investment); Up to $2,500 (Education grants)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER J MEYER | PRESIDENT & CEO | 45 | $443,960 |
| JEFFREY W KOONCE | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER EPLETT REILLY | PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS J ADAMEK | VICE-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL A GARDINER JR | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| HELENA R CUNNINGHAM | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| ANNETTE D BARTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PRESTON J CASTILLE JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| J WESLEY DANIELS JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RHOMAN J HARDY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BEVERLY M HAYDEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SCOTT N HENSGENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TODD S MANUEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERIN MONROE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TATIANA SAAVEDRA PATEL MD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DIANNA R PAYTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LINDA O POSNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW C SAURAGE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICKLOS S SPEYRER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM F TATE IV PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KAREN R WILLIAMS MD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDMUND J GIERING IV | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 40 | $236,164 |
| DEBORAH D PICKELL | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 45 | $252,944 |
| BRENNA BENSON | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 45 | $221,403 |
| LAUREN C JUMONVILLE | VICE PRESIDENT OF ENTERPRISE STRATEGY | 40 | $140,475 |
| SARAH GARDNER | VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS | 40 | $125,125 |
| CARISSA GRAVES | VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPIC ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $136,310 |
| COURTNEY GUSTIN | CONTROLLER | 40 | $147,266 |
| ERIC DEXTER | VICE PRESIDENT OF CIVIC LEADERSHIP | 40 | $135,932 |
| JOHN M SPAIN | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | — | $718,318 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
BRAF has announced several recent grant initiatives:
**Cox Charities Fund Community Investment Grants** - Active grant opportunity
**Cox Charities Fund Grants for Educators** - Active grant opportunity
Grants | Baton Rouge Area Foundation**E.J. and Marjory B. Ourso Family Foundation Fund Grant** - Active grant opportunity
BRAF Announces Inaugural Impact Grant Recipients | Baton Rouge Area Foundation**Impact Grant Recipients** - BRAF announced inaugural impact grant recipients
BRAF awards 19 nonprofits with $300,000 in grant money aimed to improve education,**Early Childhood Education Initiative** - $1.1 million made available for families accessing early childhood education across East Baton Rouge Parish
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation says that more than $1.1 million ...**Education and Safety Grants** - Awarded $300,000 to 19 nonprofits focused on improving education and safety
BRAF awards 19 nonprofits with $300,000 in grant money aimed to improve education,Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
The Feather Fund NOLA
MANDEVILLE, LA
Assets
$3K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Ballengee Family Foundation Trust
SHREVEPORT, LA
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$7K
The Fellowship of Orthopaedic
METAIRIE, LA
Assets
$903K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The Stabiler Foundation
BATON ROUGE, LA
Assets
$25K
Grants
4
Total Given
$203K
Gianna Nell Bonfiglio Foundation
HAMMOND, LA
Assets
$2K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Judah's Light Nonnie's Hope Inc
PINEVILLE, LA
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$50K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Baton Rouge Area Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities