Fenner French Foundation
The Fenner French Foundation is a private foundation based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its 2023 filing says it gives to organizations without restricting grants to preselected organizations and gives preference to charitable organizations in the New Orleans area.
Fenner French Foundation at a glance
In short: Fenner French Foundation gave $20K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Louisiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $20,000
- +92.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +550.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,538
- -70.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $962,923
- +33.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Fenner French Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Its 2023 filing says to submit a written request stating the purpose of the funds, a proposed budget if applicable, and information about charitable status. The filing lists Flora Fenner French, president, as the contact. Preference is given to charitable organizations in the New Orleans area.
- Review Cycle
- Applications are accepted at any time, according to the 2023 filing.
- Deadline
- Applications are accepted at any time, according to the 2023 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Flora Fenner French President
Mailing address: 6123 Marquette Place, New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: (504) 866-3290
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Fenner French Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pro Bono Publico Foundation ($5K). Together the top 10 received $19K.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 48 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2023 filing gives preference to charitable organizations in the New Orleans area. In 2024, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana; the remaining shares went to California (8%), Minnesota (4%), Virginia (2%), and Mississippi (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Fenner French Foundation gives
- Giving fell 64% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 47% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2023) to $56K (2021). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $20K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Bono Publico Foundation New Orleans, LA | Annual Support | $4,500 |
| Crescent City Carnival Museum New Orleans, LA | Annual Support | $4,000 |
| Tulane University Medical Center New Orleans, LA | Annual Support | $2,500 |
| Lousiana Children's Museum New Orleans, LA | Annual Support | $2,000 |
| Newman School New Orleans, LA | Annual Support | $1,500 |
| Once Upon a Room Los Angeles, CA | Annual Support | $1,500 |
| Raphael Village New Orleans, LA | Annual Support | $1,000 |
| Canine Inspired Change St. Paul, MN | Annual Support | $800 |
| Students for Fair Admissions Inc Arlington, VA | Annual Support | $500 |
| Tulane University Alumni Association New Orleans, LA | Annual Support | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $962,923 | $282,199 | $44,049 | $20,000 | 13 | $20,000 | $258,150 | $42,157 |
| 2023 | $724,110 | $16,389 | $10,408 | $10,400 | 2 | $10,400 | $16,381 | $32,991 |
| 2022 | $721,465 | $11,479 | $47,732 | $42,300 | 18 | $42,300 | $6,047 | $34,015 |
| 2021 | $742,878 | $63,491 | $60,633 | $56,132 | 15 | — | $58,990 | $36,941 |
| 2020 | $740,184 | $63,476 | $5,516 | — | — | — | $57,960 | $30,111 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fenner French Foundation reported a distributable amount of $42K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission is stated in the available information. Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. For example, Pro Bono Publico Foundation says its mission is to enhance quality of life in Greater New Orleans, while Raphael Village says it supports people with disabilities through education, vocational training, supported employment, and residential community living. Once Upon a Room says it enriches the lives of hospitalized children, teens, and infants facing serious illness or long-term acute trauma. These are grantee missions, not stated missions of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 13 grants totaling $20,000. Grants ranged from $200 to $4,500, with a median of $1,000. Its largest awards included $4,500 to Pro Bono Publico Foundation, $4,000 to Crescent City Carnival Museum, $2,500 to Tulane University Medical Center, and $2,000 to Louisiana Children’s Museum. Each was listed for annual support.
Other 2024 grants included $1,500 each to Newman School and Once Upon a Room; $1,000 to Raphael Village; $800 to Canine Inspired Change; and $500 each to Students for Fair Admissions, Tulane University Alumni Association, Volunteers of America, and University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Flora Fenner French as president; Ronald J. French as vice-president; Ronald J. French Jr. Jay as secretary; John Fenner French as treasurer; Hardie C. French as nominating chairman; Matthew S. French as director; and William D. French as legal advisor.
Fenner French Foundation is led by Flora Fenner French, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Flora Fenner French
President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hardie C. French
Nominating Chairman
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew S. French
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Fenner French
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald J. French
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald J. French Jr Jay
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William D. French
Legal Advisor
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Fenner French Foundation
How much does Fenner French Foundation give each year?
Fenner French Foundation gave $20K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10K across 2 grants.
What is Fenner French Foundation's typical grant size?
Fenner French Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,538, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Fenner French Foundation give grants?
Fenner French Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (7 grants).
Does Fenner French Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Fenner French Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Support" (13 grants).
Who are Fenner French Foundation's largest grantees?
Fenner French Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Pro Bono Publico Foundation ($4,500), Crescent City Carnival Museum ($4,000) and Tulane University Medical Center ($2,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fenner French Foundation?
Fenner French Foundation reported $963K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $20K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $42K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Fenner French Foundation fund?
No foundation mission is stated in the available information. Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fenner French Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fenner French Foundation's EIN?
Fenner French Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-0984444. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Fenner French Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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