Foundation for Louisiana
Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) is a public charity based in New Orleans, Louisiana, formed in 2005. It describes itself as a philanthropic intermediary that invests in local leadership and community-driven solutions, and says it has invested $60 million in more than 260 nonprofit organizations. Its work includes grantmaking, leadership development, collaboration, and fiscal sponsorship.
Foundation for Louisiana at a glance
In short: Foundation for Louisiana gave $1.9M across 40 grants in 2025 (avg $46K), mostly in Louisiana. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,853,800
- -13.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 40
- -59.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $46,345
- +114.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $28,750
- Total assets
- $18,517,483
- +10.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (20 of 40, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (71% 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 Foundation for Louisiana
- Invitation Only
-
FFL’s website describes grantmaking as by invitation and provides application information for specific opportunities and fiscal sponsorship.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2022 St Bernard Ave 122B, New Orleans, LA 70116
Phone: (225) 383-1672
Website: https://foundationforlouisiana.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Foundation for Louisiana
Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) Solidarity Fund Grant
Foundation for Louisiana
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
LEAD: BUILD Health
Foundation for Louisiana
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Louisiana's World Makers Awards
Foundation for Louisiana
Amount
$5,000 - $10,000 per award; $320,000 total distributed to 32 artists
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Foundation for Louisiana funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Vera Institute of Justice ($175K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
320 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 277 grants of 320 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
FFL describes its work and grantmaking as statewide across Louisiana. In 2025, 71% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana; the remainder went to recipients in Washington, DC (12%), New York (12%), California (3%), and Mississippi (2%). Its listed LEAD: BUILD Health program focuses on New Orleans, particularly the Claiborne Corridor, and its 2026 TOGETHER youth violence prevention opportunity focused on organizations serving young people in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Foundation for Louisiana open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 20 of 40 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $58K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2020) to $5.7M (2021). In 2025 it made 40 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vera Institute of Justice Brooklyn, NY | Louisiana Justice Fund | $175,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc Washington, DC | Bernard Ancestors Donation | $155,590 |
| Louisiana Center for Children's Rights New Orleans, LA | Louisiana Justice Fund | $100,000 |
| Promise of Justice Initiative New Orleans, LA | Louisiana Justice Fund | $100,000 |
| Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants Baton Rouge, LA | Together | $90,000 |
| Louisiana Parole Project Baton Rouge, LA | Louisiana Justice Fund | $90,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union New Orleans, LA | Louisiana Justice Fund | $85,000 |
| Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children New Orleans, LA | Louisiana Justice Fund | $85,000 |
| Operation Restoration New Orleans, LA | COVID | $84,000 |
| Voices of the Experienced New Orleans, LA | Louisiana Justice Fund | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Foundation for Louisiana?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $18,517,483 | $7,365,404 | $5,495,379 | $1,853,800 | 40 | $1,030,573 |
| 2024 | $16,781,580 | $6,680,084 | $6,815,543 | $2,143,148 | 99 | $678,282 |
| 2023 | $16,259,098 | $4,845,870 | $5,272,832 | $1,521,374 | 64 | $275,653 |
| 2022 | $17,167,446 | $8,190,410 | $4,473,027 | $1,252,000 | 56 | $290,937 |
| 2021 | $13,807,161 | $9,417,372 | $8,922,794 | $5,742,390 | 61 | $452,930 |
| 2020 | $11,951,965 | $4,749,583 | $3,433,223 | $1,218,590 | 35 | $149,710 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
FFL’s stated mission is to expand opportunity and well-being across Louisiana by investing in local leadership and community-driven solutions that strengthen the conditions for Louisianans to live safe, stable, connected, and dignified lives.
FFL says it redistributes resources to on-the-ground projects, including projects that may not be able to access traditional philanthropy. Its website describes its grantmaking as by invitation, while also listing specific opportunities such as the Solidarity Fund. FFL also builds partner and grantee capacity through initiatives including LEAD and TOGETHER, and provides fiscal sponsorship for projects aligned with its mission, with an intentional focus on Black- and Indigenous-led initiatives.
The 2025 grants included organizations whose missions illustrate some of the work FFL supports. The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights says it uses representation and advocacy to keep children out of the justice system. The Louisiana Parole Project says it supports people who have served long prison sentences through advocacy, programming, and services. Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children describes itself as a grassroots organization working to transform systems that put children at risk of prison. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, FFL reported 40 grants totaling $1,853,800. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $175,000, with a median of $28,750. Among the largest awards were $175,000 to the Vera Institute of Justice for the Louisiana Justice Fund; $100,000 each to the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights and Promise of Justice Initiative, also for the Louisiana Justice Fund; and $90,000 each to Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants for TOGETHER and Louisiana Parole Project for the Louisiana Justice Fund.
FFL’s website describes the Solidarity Fund as offering flexible support for Louisiana-based nonprofits for activities such as fundraisers, learning opportunities, convenings, community events, and awareness campaigns. The stated maximum award is $25,000, with an average award of $5,000 per organization per fiscal year. The 2026 Solidarity Fund cycle listed an August 31, 2026 application close, which has passed.
For fiscal sponsorship, FFL says applicants submit an application with required attachments, including a budget, fundraising plan, and project goals using its templates. Its FAQ says review takes about two weeks from submission to decision. FFL also says grantees must file progress reports and that program staff monitor grants through site visits, email, and calls.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michelle Ramos as board chair; May T Nguyen as treasurer; and Halima Leak-Francis, Lt. General Russel Honore, and Sade Dumas as directors. It lists Charmel Gaulden as president, Dana Delpit as CFO, and Jamie Schmll as vice president of programs.
Foundation for Louisiana is led by Charmel Gaulden, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Charmel Gaulden
President
COO → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$66K (2020) → $253K (2025)
Michelle Ramos
Board Chair
Board Member → Director, 2022
Director → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lt General Russel Honore
Director
Board Member → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Halima Leak-Francis
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Keith Magee
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sade Dumas
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dana Delpit
CFO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$101K (2020) → $130K (2025)
Jamie Schmill
Vice President of Programs
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$30K (2021) → $124K (2025)
Alicia Oliver
Highly Comepensated Employ
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$120K (2025)
Victoria Coy
Highly Comepensated Employ
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
May T. Nguyen
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Pamela Jenkins (2020–2024) — Board Chair
- Former: Flozell Daniels Jr. (2020–2023) — CEO
- Former: Jainey Bavishi (2020–2023) — Secretary · Filing note: Thru 132023
- Former: Maria Cherry Rangel (2020–2023) — Director of Strategic Init
- Former: Alesshundra Hunter (2022) — Chief of Staff
- Former: Dawn Godbolt (2022) — Policy Director
- Former: Jauna A. Crear (2022) — Vice President of Finance & Compliance
- Former: Joia Cear-Perry (2022) — Founder & President
- Former: Kelly Davis (2022) — Vice President of Global Birth Equity & Innovation
- Former: Alfredo Cruz (2020–2021) — Vice President of Programs
- Former: Alvertha Penney (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Mark Quinn (2020–2021) — Board Secretary
- Former: Lieutenant General Russel Honore (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Telley Madina (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $253K, to Charmel Gaulden (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Louisiana
How much does Foundation for Louisiana give each year?
Foundation for Louisiana gave $1.9M across 40 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.1M across 99 grants.
What is Foundation for Louisiana's typical grant size?
Foundation for Louisiana's median grant in 2025 was $28,750, and its average grant was $46,345, across 40 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Foundation for Louisiana that year got $26K on average.
Where does Foundation for Louisiana give grants?
Foundation for Louisiana gives mostly in Louisiana: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (12%) and New York (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (18 grants), Baton Rouge, LA (5 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Donaldsonville, LA (2 grants).
Does Foundation for Louisiana give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Foundation for Louisiana's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 40) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Climate Justice Program" (9 grants), "Louisiana Justice Fund" (9 grants) and "Together" (5 grants).
Who are Foundation for Louisiana's largest grantees?
Foundation for Louisiana's largest 2025 grantees include Vera Institute of Justice ($175,000), Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc ($155,590) and Louisiana Center for Children's Rights ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Foundation for Louisiana?
Foundation for Louisiana reported $18.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.4M.
What does Foundation for Louisiana fund?
FFL’s stated mission is to expand opportunity and well-being across Louisiana by investing in local leadership and community-driven solutions that strengthen the conditions for Louisianans to live safe, stable, connected, and dignified lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Louisiana?
FFL’s website describes grantmaking as by invitation and provides application information for specific opportunities and fiscal sponsorship. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Foundation for Louisiana's EIN?
Foundation for Louisiana's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3399944. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 15, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for Louisiana's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Foundation for Louisiana funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-louisiana-morg_01993fdeb6394068a0b562e82642f6f6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203399944_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Foundation for Louisiana funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/foundation-for-louisiana-morg_01993fdeb6394068a0b562e82642f6f6},
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 Foundation for Louisiana'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.
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