Irene W & Cb Pennington Private logo

Irene W & Cb Pennington Private

BATON ROUGE, LA EIN: 72-0938097 Website

The Irene W and C B Pennington Foundation is a private foundation established in 1982 and based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to enriching community life through philanthropic giving. The foundation was created by Irene W. and C. B. "Doc" Pennington to give back to their community and has since become a significant force in regional and global philanthropy.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$21.8M

-8.9% YoY

Revenue

$-129,907

-102.2% YoY

Net Investment Income

$317K

-92.6% YoY

Expenses

$259K

-96.7% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission centers on improving lives through community outreach. Primary funding areas include:

  • Arts
  • Health and chronic diseases
  • Social and emotional learning
  • Accessibility and inclusion for all

The foundation supports nonprofits and agencies providing direct service to people in need, with particular emphasis on disadvantaged youth and the medically underserved. Trustees prefer projects that serve direct benefit to individuals, children, and families.

Grantmaking

The Irene W and C B Pennington Foundation and its successor entity, the Pennington Family Foundation (established in 2023), have awarded over $300 million in gifts and grants across South Louisiana and globally.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily supports organizations in Louisiana, with particular emphasis on South Louisiana and the Baton Rouge area. However, the foundation also funds organizations globally.

Grant Distribution by State

19states
+11 more states

Cities

AlexandriaBaltimoreBatesvilleBaton RougeBayou GoulaBethesdaBiloxiBruslyCentrevilleCharlestonChicagoClintonCovingtonCrowleyDallasDenham SpringsDonaldsonvilleEthelEvelethGasden

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Financial Data (2024):

  • Total Assets: $21,802,078
  • Total Revenues: -$129,907
  • Total Expenses: $258,559
  • Number of Employees: 0

Historical Data (2023):

  • Total Assets: $23.9 million
  • Revenue: $5.9 million
  • Expenses: $7.85 million
  • Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$5M$7M$10M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$21,802,078$23,932,437$127,803,180
Revenue$-129,907$5,904,652$5,040,628
Expenses$258,559$7,847,175$8,611,262
Qualifying Distributions$5,544,032$5,501,546
Net Investment Income$317,224$4,286,467$2,466,777
Distributable Amount$96,367$4,501,570$6,353,729

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$3M$4M$6M90 grants2020133 grants2021133 grants2022130 grants20230 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 0 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

200 grants across all recorded years

132<$50K24$50–100K38$100–250K5$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Paula Pennington de la Bretonne established the Pennington Family Foundation in 2023 to continue her grandparents' philanthropic legacy. She is the granddaughter of Irene W. and C. B. Pennington and is married to Dr. Jacques de la Bretonne. She holds a bachelor's degree in science from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Lori J Bertman serves as President and Chief Executive Officer.

William E Hodgkins serves as Chairman.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
DARYL B PENNINGTON SRTRUSTEE
PAULA P DELABRETONNETRUSTEE
MARY PENNINGTONTRUSTEE
SHANNON SMITHTRUSTEE
SHARON PALMER PENNINGTONTRUSTEE
CLAUDE PENNINGTONTRUSTEE

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking in recent years, including:

Support for Louisiana flood recovery efforts with a $100,000 commitment

Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation Commits $100,000 to Support Louisiana

A $2 million match gift pledge to Baton Rouge General Foundation

Pennington Foundation Pledges $2 Million Match Gift to Baton Rouge General

A grant to support Baton Rouge General's Arts in Medicine Program

Pennington Foundation Pledges $2 Million Match Gift to Baton Rouge General

Grants supporting flood rebuild efforts for community organizations

Pennington Foundation grant helps Heritage Ranch flood rebuild
2023

The establishment of the Pennington Family Foundation in 2023 represents a continuation and evolution of the original foundation's philanthropic mission under the leadership of the next generation.

Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation Commits $100,000 to Support Louisiana

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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