Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird
The Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in December 1960 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Originally created as the philanthropic arm of the Beaird-Poulan Corporation, it became a stand-alone family foundation in 2009 following the sale of the business. The foundation was renamed in 2009 to honor its founders, Carolyn W. and Charles T. Beaird, and their vision of perpetual family involvement in the organization's governance and mission.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$22.3M
+2.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+6.6% YoY
Grant Count
160
+2.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+3.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is committed to improving the Shreveport and Bossier City region of Louisiana by enabling organizations and entities to add opportunity, freedom of action and choice, self-betterment, and a climate for change to the lives of residents.
The foundation supports a wide range of interests, including:
- Education
- Housing
- Health care
- Social services
- The arts
- Community development
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
- Human services
Grantmaking
The Beaird Family Foundation accepts grant applications twice annually during July and December cycles. Organizations are required to submit a Letter of Intent form prior to full application submission. The foundation provides guidance materials, including a 20-minute Letter of Intent Guidance video.
Average Grant
amount: $42,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation's primary focus is the Shreveport and Bossier City region of Louisiana, it funds organizations across multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and others.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $21,854,136
- Total revenues: $673,278
- Total expenses: $1,911,272
- Total liabilities: $31,000
- Investment income and dividends: $710,377
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $22,349,181
- Total giving: $1,572,821
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $22,349,181 | $21,854,136 | $23,082,617 |
| Revenue | $2,577,864 | $673,278 | $2,019,850 |
| Expenses | $2,104,078 | $1,911,272 | $1,937,070 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,874,724 | $1,724,013 | $1,770,344 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,374,005 | $1,307,589 | $1,880,111 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,689,362 | $1,561,184 | $1,573,480 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana ($52,000), Citizens About Progress ($40,000), Catholic Charities of North Louisia ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 318 FOUNDATION BETHESDA, MD | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| A CALL TO MEN THE NATL ASSOC OF MEN ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY | OPERATING EXPENSE | $1,500 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION OF NORTH CAROLINA RALEIGH, NC | OPERATING EXPENSE | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR BOYS AND MEN WASHINGTON, DC | OPERATING EXPENSE | $4,000 |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, DC | PROGRAM SERVICES | $500 |
| BASIC NECESSITIES SHREVEPORT, LA | GENERAL OPERATING | $25,000 |
| BASIC NECESSITIES SHREVEPORT, LA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $1,166 |
| BEAT THE STREETS LLC PRAIRIEVILLE, LA | GENERAL OPERATING | $10,000 |
| BERNSTEIN DEVELOPMENT INC SHREVEPORT, LA | PROGRAM SERVICES | $20,000 |
| BEULAH'S SAFE HAVEN SHREVEPORT, LA | GENERAL OPERATING | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Nicole Seawell – President
- Toya Graham – Executive Director (annual salary: $105,750)
The foundation's board consists of the three adult children of Charles and Carolyn Beaird and six of their grandchildren. In 1995, the foundation established a "Member" category available to any descendant of Charles and Carolyn (whether by birth, adoption, or step-relation) at age 18. Members elect a nine-member board, which then elects its officers. The foundation is designed to operate in perpetuity with a board whose majority must be family members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICOLE SEAWELL | PRESIDENT | 20 | — |
| JENNIFER MCCORMICK | VICE PRESIDE | 4 | — |
| MALCOLM SEAWELL | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| FRANCES SEAWELL | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| ELIZABETH BEAIRD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOHN BEAIRD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SUSAN BEAIRD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LESLIE DARR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVE SEAWELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARJORIE SEAWELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TYLER WOLF | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| MARY SEAWELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TOYA GRAHAM | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $109,110 |
| DUNCAN SEAWELL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JACKSON DARR | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird fund?
The foundation is committed to improving the Shreveport and Bossier City region of Louisiana by enabling organizations and entities to add opportunity, freedom of action and choice, self-betterment, and a climate for change to the lives of residents. The foundation supports a wide range of interests, including: • Education • Housing • Health care • Social services • The arts • Community development • Philanthropy and voluntarism • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird?
**Application Process:** The Beaird Family Foundation accepts grant applications twice annually during July and December cycles. Organizations are required to submit a Letter of Intent form prior to full application submission. The foundation provides guidance materials, including a 20-minute Letter of Intent Guidance video. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $25,000–$77,000 • Average grant amount: $42,000 • The foundation made 142 grants in 2023, totaling approximately $1.14 mil…
Where does Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird make grants?
While the foundation's primary focus is the Shreveport and Bossier City region of Louisiana, it funds organizations across multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and others.
What size grants does Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird award?
In 2024, Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird awarded 160 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird's EIN?
Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-6027212. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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