Irene W & CB Pennington Private
Irene W & CB Pennington Private is a private foundation based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Its grantmaking is associated with the Pennington family’s philanthropic legacy; the family’s website says the Pennington Family Foundation continues that legacy.
Irene W & CB Pennington Private at a glance
- Total assets
- $21,802,078
- -8.9% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $-129,907
- -102.2% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $317,224
- -92.6% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $258,559
- -96.7% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Irene W & CB Pennington Private
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
The 2024 filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
The 2024 filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and **does not accept unsolicited requests**. The website, however, invites qualified nonprofits to apply through its online grant application system.
- Review Cycle
- Proposals are due by August 15 at 4 p.m.; if that date falls on a weekend, the deadline is 4 p.m. on the next business day.
- Deadline
- Proposals are due by August 15 at 4 p.m.; if that date falls on a weekend, the deadline is 4 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Various
Mailing address: 10343 Siegen Lane Suite 1B, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: (225) 383-3412
Website: https://penningtonfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Irene W & CB Pennington Private funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
486 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 332 grants of 486 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Pennington Family Foundation says most of its giving focuses on organizations and agencies in the Greater Baton Rouge area. It says funded organizations and agencies outside that area typically have a direct connection to the Pennington family. The foundation also describes its broader philanthropic giving as spanning South Louisiana and locations around the world.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Is Irene W & CB Pennington Private open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 27 of 110 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $71K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 63% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2020 to 2023 (−2%). Method
- In 2023 it paid out 123% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $5.5M (2022) to $5.7M (2021). In 2023 it made 130 grants totaling $5.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| McManus Volunteer Fire Department Jackson, LA | Project Fire Engine "Tanker/Pumper" | $400,000 |
| East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office Clinton, LA | 2022 Donation | $300,000 |
| United Cajun Navy Baton Rouge, LA | United Cajun Navy | $260,000 |
| Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program Washington, DC | State of Play Baton Rouge | $250,000 |
| Silliman Institute Clinton, LA | Silliman Institute's Middle School Enhancements | $250,000 |
| East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Baton Rouge, LA | Director of Special Projects Salary | $210,000 |
| Center for Mind Body Medicine Washington, DC | Training Post Covid | $190,000 |
| West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Port Allen, LA | Operation Take Down / Active Shooter | $185,000 |
| Mission Heart Inc Baton Rouge, LA | Mission Heart 2022/2023 | $153,000 |
| East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Baton Rouge, LA | Director of Special Projects Salary | $136,798 |
Ready to take the next step with Irene W & CB Pennington Private?
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 | $21,802,078 | $-129,907 | $258,559 | — | — | — | $317,224 | $96,367 |
| 2023 | $23,932,437 | $5,904,652 | $7,847,175 | $5,544,032 | 130 | $5,544,032 | $4,286,467 | $4,501,570 |
| 2022 | $127,803,180 | $5,040,628 | $8,611,262 | $5,501,546 | 133 | $5,501,546 | $2,466,777 | $6,353,729 |
| 2021 | $131,330,870 | $6,984,192 | $7,838,253 | $5,692,339 | 133 | $5,692,339 | $5,335,533 | $6,463,017 |
| 2020 | $129,494,659 | $6,041,681 | $9,055,496 | $5,677,324 | 90 | — | $3,129,013 | $5,459,240 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Irene W & CB Pennington Private reported a distributable amount of $96K 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
The Pennington Family Foundation says its mission is to continue Irene Wells Pennington and C.B. “Doc” Pennington’s commitment to philanthropy. Its listed focus areas are social and emotional learning; health and chronic diseases; the arts; public safety and economic development; disasters and community resilience; sports and recreation; the environment; and accessibility and inclusion for all.
Examples of 2023 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. United Cajun Navy describes its work as disaster and non-disaster relief and community outreach. Silliman Institute says it provides a well-rounded education to students, while Slaughter Community Charter School serves students in grades 7–12. Mission Heart says it provides faith-based addiction services and recovery support for women.
Grantmaking
The 2023 filing reports $5,544,032 in grants across 130 grants. The 2024 filing reports no grants. The Pennington Family Foundation website says grants typically range from $15,000 to $30,000; requests of $5,000 to $10,000 are considered for annual support, and awards over $50,000 are less common and typically for capital projects.
Notable 2023 awards included $260,000 to United Cajun Navy, $250,000 to Silliman Institute, $153,000 to Mission Heart, and $105,000 to Slaughter Community Charter School. United Cajun Navy also received separate 2023 awards of $93,560, $75,000, $70,000, and $62,500.
The website says qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofits and some government agencies may apply; its Grants Center specifies 501(c)(3) nonprofits in good standing with the IRS and municipalities. It describes an online application process and says applicants may check application status and receive reporting reminders through the system. The FAQ says only one proposal per project is accepted per year; organizations with multiple projects are asked to email before applying. Capital-project applicants are asked to contact the foundation before submitting. Operating support is available, typically at $20,000 or less. The FAQ also says the foundation does not sponsor unsolicited fundraising events.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these trustees: Daryl B Pennington Sr, Paula P Delabretonne, Mary Pennington, Shannon Smith, Sharon Palmer Pennington, and Claude Pennington.
Irene W & CB Pennington Private's 2024 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Claude B. Pennington III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Daryl B. Pennington Sr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mary Pennington
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Paula P. Delabretonne
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Shannon Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sharon Palmer Pennington
Trustee
On filings since 2020
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 Irene W & CB Pennington Private
How large is Irene W & CB Pennington Private?
Irene W & CB Pennington Private reported $21.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does Irene W & CB Pennington Private fund?
The Pennington Family Foundation says its mission is to continue Irene Wells Pennington and C.B. “Doc” Pennington’s commitment to philanthropy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Irene W & CB Pennington Private?
The 2024 filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Irene W & CB Pennington Private make grants?
The Pennington Family Foundation says most of its giving focuses on organizations and agencies in the Greater Baton Rouge area. It says funded organizations and agencies outside that area typically have a direct connection to the Pennington family. The foundation also describes its broader philanthropic giving as spanning South Louisiana and locations around the world.
How much is Irene W & CB Pennington Private required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Irene W & CB Pennington Private reported a distributable amount of $96K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Irene W & CB Pennington Private's EIN?
Irene W & CB Pennington Private's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-0938097. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Irene W & CB Pennington Private accept unsolicited proposals?
No, 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Irene W & CB Pennington Private's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Louisiana
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Baton Rouge, LA
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation supports nonprofits and community projects addressing needs such as education, health, human services, economic opportunity, and community resilience, primarily in Baton Rouge and Southern Louisiana. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,100 to $2,201,762, with a median award of $21,000. It offers competitive funding opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$342.7M
Grants
340
Total Given
$31.1M
The Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation
Baton Rouge, LA
The foundation funds human services, education, healthcare, prison reentry, and nonprofit capacity building, with emphasis on people facing poverty, disability, chronic illness, or barriers after incarceration. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $40,000 (ranging from $50 to $628,000) and went to Louisiana organizations, especially in the Greater Baton Rouge area; requests are submitted online, but the profile does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$170.5M
Grants
104
Total Given
$5.8M
Albemarle Foundation
Charlotte, NC
In 2024, the Albemarle Foundation funded emergency relief, education, community philanthropy, and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, among other causes. It made 147 grants totaling $3.65 million; awards ranged from $10 to $1,359,587, with a median of $1,000. Most grant dollars went to Delaware, with additional funding in the District of Columbia and North Carolina; the filing says applicants should contact the foundation and directs them to application materials, but does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$30.2M
Grants
147
Total Given
$3.7M
Pennington Family Foundation
Denham Springs, LA
The Pennington Family Foundation funds biomedical research, arts, health, youth development, education, and community services, primarily in Louisiana. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,500 to $450,000, with a median of $15,750. The foundation says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$37.8M
Grants
57
Total Given
$1.9M
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
Baton Rouge, LA
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation funds nonprofit health- and education-related programs, including community health initiatives, innovative pilots, and crisis or disaster response, primarily in Louisiana. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $360,000, with a median of $33,333. It uses a letter-of-intent process for its programs; crisis and disaster requests are accepted on an ongoing basis while funds and need allow.
Assets
$35.2M
Grants
62
Total Given
$3.0M
The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund
New Orleans, LA
The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund primarily supports higher education, research, student aid, and public service, with grants also reported to education and research organizations. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,005 to $643,695, with a median of $16,445; Louisiana received the largest share of funding, though grants went to organizations in multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.6B
Grants
891
Total Given
$25.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Louisiana
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Irene W & CB Pennington Private'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.
Irene W & CB Pennington Private down — hundreds of funders to go?