Baton Rouge Area Foundation
The an individual recipient Area Foundation (BRAF) is a public charity based in an individual recipient, Louisiana, formed in 1964. It unites human and financial resources to enhance quality of life in Southern Louisiana, supporting nonprofits and community initiatives through grantmaking, donor services, civic projects, and nonprofit support.
Baton Rouge Area Foundation at a glance
In short: Baton Rouge Area Foundation gave $31.1M across 340 grants in 2024 (avg $91K), mostly in Louisiana. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $31,067,810
- -5.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 340
- -8.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $91,376
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $21,000
- Total assets
- $342,730,306
- +6.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (89 of 337, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Baton Rouge Area Foundation
- How to Apply
-
For competitive opportunities, eligible organizations register through BRAF’s application system unless the opportunity states otherwise. The Impact Grants LOI did not require preregistration, but that application window has passed. The Ourso Family Foundation lists quarterly deadlines.
- Review Cycle
- The next listed Ourso Family Foundation deadline is December 31, 2026. Its notification date for that cycle is February 15.
- Deadline
- The next listed Ourso Family Foundation deadline is December 31, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 451 Florida Street Ll 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Phone: (225) 387-6126
Website: https://braf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Baton Rouge Area Foundation
BRAF Impact Grants
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Amount
$5,000 - $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Competitive Grants: Farrnbacher Memorial Fund
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Cox Charities Fund
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Amount
Up to $5,000 (Community Investment); Up to $2,500 (Education grants)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Baton Rouge Area Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Inc ($2.2M). Together the top 10 received $11.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($756,655), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,610 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,072 grants of 1,610 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
BRAF describes its service area as an individual recipient and Southern Louisiana. The Ourso Family Foundation supports South Louisiana, while the Turner Industries Fund lists service areas in Louisiana, Texas, and Alabama. In 2024, 80% of BRAF’s grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana; other listed recipient states were Washington, D.C. (4%), Massachusetts (3%), Texas (2%), and North Carolina (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 340 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Baton Rouge Area Foundation open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 89 of 337 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $49K; repeat grants $108K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $29K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $21.9M (2021) to $32.9M (2023). In 2024 it made 340 grants totaling $31.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Inc Baton Rouge, LA | General support, to support hunger action month, for hurrican francine relief, to support the farm fresh healthy food initiative, to assist with the food shortage | $2,201,762 |
| New Schools for New Orleans Inc New Orleans, LA | Louisiana Education: 2015-2025 Program | $1,780,000 |
| YMCA of the Capital Area Baton Rouge, LA | General Support, to Provide Swimming Lessons | $1,318,600 |
| LSU Foundation Baton Rouge, LA | General support, support of the university lab school foundation, support of special projects and scholarships, support of various funds | $1,260,369 |
| Hospice Foundation of Greater Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA | General support, to support the retreat at quarters lake, to support the creation of the baton rouge hospice grief center | $1,180,794 |
| 50CAN Inc Washington, DC | Louisiana Education: 2015-2025 Program | $1,050,000 |
| Baton Rouge Youth Coalition Inc Baton Rouge, LA | General support, college prep support, support of special projects/programs | $809,600 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $725,912 |
| St Joseph Cathedral Baton Rouge, LA | General support, for the restoration of stained glass windows in the cathedral, to support the music program, building maintenance | $622,999 |
| Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA | General support, for the women's giving circle, for the bishop's annual appeal | $579,342 |
Ready to take the next step with Baton Rouge Area Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $342,730,306 | $56,922,835 | $48,295,519 | $31,067,810 | 340 | $14,730,778 |
| 2023 | $321,477,524 | $54,623,777 | $48,602,030 | $32,908,685 | 370 | $21,460,605 |
| 2022 | $309,005,513 | $36,560,561 | $40,794,024 | $28,071,280 | 326 | $12,473,219 |
| 2021 | $341,014,842 | $55,703,797 | $37,214,739 | $21,862,416 | 290 | $14,097,001 |
| 2020 | $293,247,071 | $35,030,558 | $34,103,279 | $21,954,818 | 284 | $6,347,236 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
BRAF’s stated mission is to unite human and financial resources to enhance quality of life in Southern Louisiana. Its filing describes funding nonprofits, programs, and projects benefiting people in need and the wider community, as well as responding to emerging community needs. Examples include education partnerships, safe and sustainable communities, LIGO-Livingston science education activities, and clean-energy communities across Louisiana.
BRAF identifies economic prosperity, excellent education, healthy families, quality of life, safer neighborhoods, and regional resilience as community opportunity areas. Its grants have supported organizations with varied missions. For example, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank says its mission is to feed people experiencing hunger in an individual recipient and surrounding parishes; the an individual recipient Youth Coalition says it prepares teens for college and post-secondary opportunities; and Maison des Amis of Louisiana says it provides room and board for people experiencing homelessness and helps them work toward self-sufficiency.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, BRAF reported 340 grants totaling $31,067,810. Awards ranged from $5,100 to $2,201,762, with a median of $21,000. The largest listed grants included $2,201,762 to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, $1,780,000 to New Schools for New Orleans, $1,318,600 to the YMCA of the Capital Area, and $1,260,369 to the LSU Foundation. Listed purposes included general support, hunger relief, education, swimming lessons, scholarships, and hospice services.
BRAF makes grants both on behalf of people with charitable accounts and through competitive opportunities. Its website says competitive applications are for nonprofit organizations in good standing with the IRS and secretary of state, and that registration in its application system may take up to seven business days. The 2026 Impact Grants round focused on early childhood education, health, and economic prosperity; its July 7–24, 2026 Letter of Intent period has passed, and full applications were by invitation only.
The E.J. and Marjory B. Ourso Family Foundation supports South Louisiana nonprofits with new, creative, or beneficial projects in education, health care, human services, and religion. The Turner Industries Fund supports a range of causes, with emphasis on workforce development and community improvement related to health and education; its applications are currently closed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christopher J. Meyer as president and CEO; Jeffrey W. Koonce as chair; Jennifer Eplett Reilly as past chair; Thomas J. Adamek as vice-chair; Daniel A. Gardiner Jr. as treasurer; and Helena R. Cunningham as secretary. Directors listed were Annette D. Barton, Preston J. Castille Jr., J. Wesley Daniels Jr., and Rhoman J. Hardy.
Baton Rouge Area Foundation is led by Christopher J. Meyer, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 10 of 30 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher J. Meyer
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$435K (2022) → $444K (2024)
Jeffrey W. Koonce
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annette D. Barton
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beverly M. Haydel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda O. Posner
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew C. Saurage
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicklos S. Nick Speyrer Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Preston J. Castille Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd S. Manuel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen R. Williams MD
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott N. Hensgens
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tatiana Saavedra Patel MD
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dianna R. Payton
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
J. Wesley Daniels Jr.
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erin Monroe
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rhoman J. Hardy
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William F. Tate IV PhD
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Gustin
Controller
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$97K (2020) → $147K (2024)
Deborah D. Pickell
Chief Financial Officer
Director of Finance → Chief Financial Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$227K (2020) → $253K (2024)
Edmund J. Giering IV
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$181K (2020) → $236K (2024)
John M. Spain
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2020
$420K (2020) → $718K (2024)
Lauren C. Jumonville
Vice President of Enterprise Strategy
Director of Civic Leadership → Director of Civic Leadersh, 2021
Director of Civic Leadersh → Vice President of Enterprise Strategy, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$102K (2020) → $140K (2024)
Brenna Benson
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$128K (2022) → $221K (2024)
Carissa Graves
Vice President of Philanthropic Advancement
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$137K (2023) → $136K (2024)
Sarah Gardner
Vice President of Communications
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$125K (2023) → $125K (2024)
Eric Dexter
Vice President of Civic Leadership
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$136K (2024)
Helena R. Cunningham
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Eplett Reilly
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas J. Adamek
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel A. Gardiner Jr.
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Charles W. Lamar III (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: John G. Davies (2020–2023) — Former President
- Former: Raymond Prince (2020–2023) — Financial Operations Manager
- Former: William E. Balhoff (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Lauren Crump (2022–2023) — Vice President of Nonprofit Excellence
- Former: B. Eugene Berry MD (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Francis C. Jumonville Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Mukul Verma (2020–2022) — Director of Communications
- Former: Rodney C. Braxton (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Donna D. Fraiche (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: S. Dennis Blunt (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Hutchison (2020) — Director of Philanthropic Svcs
- Former: Jeffrey Zehnder (2020) — Director
- Former: Mark C. Drennan (2020) — Director
- Former: Perry J. Franklin (2020) — Director
- Former: Rose J. Hudson (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $718K, to John M Spain (Executive Vice President). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Baton Rouge Area Foundation
How much does Baton Rouge Area Foundation give each year?
Baton Rouge Area Foundation gave $31.1M across 340 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $32.9M across 370 grants.
What is Baton Rouge Area Foundation's typical grant size?
Baton Rouge Area Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $21,000, and its average grant was $91,376, across 340 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Baton Rouge Area Foundation that year got $49K on average.
Where does Baton Rouge Area Foundation give grants?
Baton Rouge Area Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baton Rouge, LA (131 grants), New Orleans, LA (49 grants), New York, NY (10 grants) and Washington, DC (7 grants).
Does Baton Rouge Area Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 73% of Baton Rouge Area Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (247 of 340) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Louisiana Education: 2015-2025 Program" (19 grants), "Support of Special Projects/Programs" (7 grants) and "For Hurricane Helene Relief" (3 grants).
Who are Baton Rouge Area Foundation's largest grantees?
Baton Rouge Area Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Inc ($2,201,762), New Schools for New Orleans Inc ($1,780,000) and YMCA of the Capital Area ($1,318,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 4 individual scholarships ($756,655), which are not listed by name. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Baton Rouge Area Foundation?
Baton Rouge Area Foundation reported $342.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $56.9M.
What does Baton Rouge Area Foundation fund?
BRAF’s stated mission is to unite human and financial resources to enhance quality of life in Southern Louisiana. Its filing describes funding nonprofits, programs, and projects benefiting people in need and the wider community, as well as responding to emerging community needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Baton Rouge Area Foundation?
For competitive opportunities, eligible organizations register through BRAF’s application system unless the opportunity states otherwise. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Baton Rouge Area Foundation's EIN?
Baton Rouge Area Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-6030391. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Baton Rouge Area Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Baton Rouge Area Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/baton-rouge-area-foundation-morg_4af6642614cc41e8b3821d7efe071ae1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_726030391_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Baton Rouge Area Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/baton-rouge-area-foundation-morg_4af6642614cc41e8b3821d7efe071ae1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Baton Rouge Area Foundation'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.
Baton Rouge Area Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?