Louisiana Bar Foundation
The Louisiana Bar Foundation (LBF) is a public charity based in New Orleans, Louisiana. It funds civil justice initiatives and supports a network of more than 70 organizations working on non-criminal, civil legal challenges, including free legal services for people with low incomes.
Key facts about Louisiana Bar Foundation
In short: Louisiana Bar Foundation gave $16.3M across 62 grants in 2025 (avg $264K), mostly in Louisiana. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 23-7100704
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $16,341,935
- Grants made (2025)
- 62
- Average grant
- $263,580
- Median grant
- $75,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (11 of 62, 2025)
- Total assets
- $54,775,199
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Eligible organizations can apply for Annual/Sustaining Grants through the grantee portal. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Annual/Sustaining Grant applications for 2027–28 are due December 1, 2026.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$54.8M
+36.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.3M
-9.3% YoY
Grant Count
62
+14.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$264K
-21.0% YoY
Is Louisiana Bar Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 62 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $91K; repeat grants $301K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $93K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The LBF’s stated mission is to preserve, honor, and improve the justice system by supporting efforts that enhance the legal profession, increase public understanding of the legal system, and advance equal justice under the law.
Its funding includes direct legal aid, legal assistance to children, domestic violence programs, law-related education, pro bono projects, and building capital development. The foundation also administers the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, which generates interest to help finance civil legal services, and the Child in Need of Care program, which provides legal representation to children in foster care.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work. Acadiana Legal Services Corporation says its mission is to provide civil legal services by advocating for fairness, protection, and justice. Lagniappe Law Lab says it uses technology, design thinking, and operations principles to make legal services more accessible to underprivileged Louisiana residents. The Pro Bono Project says it provides free civil legal services through volunteer attorneys, paralegals, law students, and community members.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the LBF reported 62 grants totaling $16,341,935. Grants ranged from $7,261 to $5,089,490, with a median grant of $75,000.
The largest reported grants included $5,089,490 to Acadiana Legal Service Corporation for legal services, $3,901,563 to Southeast Louisiana Legal Services for legal services, and $842,500 to Lagniappe Law Lab for a special partnership grant. Other notable awards included $798,500 to Southern University Law Center for law-related education, $527,200 to Louisiana Appleseed for a special partnership grant, and $444,000 to The Pro Bono Project for a pro bono project.
The LBF’s website lists Annual/Sustaining Grants for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, with applications submitted through its grantee portal. Its published 2027–28 schedule sets the application period for October 1 through December 1, 2026. The schedule also lists Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) applications and Kids’ Chance Scholarship applications from December 1, 2026, through February 26, 2027. LRAP offers forgivable loans to attorneys working in public-interest positions; Kids’ Chance scholarships are for eligible dependents of Louisiana workers killed or permanently and totally disabled in qualifying workplace accidents.
Review Cycle
Annual/Sustaining Grant applications for 2027–28 are due December 1, 2026. LRAP and Kids’ Chance Scholarship applications are due February 26, 2027.
How to Apply
Eligible organizations can apply for Annual/Sustaining Grants through the grantee portal. The LBF identifies 501(c)(3) organizations leading community-driven efforts on civil legal challenges as eligible applicants.
Ready to take the next step with Louisiana Bar Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The LBF’s grantmaking is Louisiana-focused. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana. The foundation’s filing narrative says it supports free civil legal services for low-income people in all 64 parishes.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.1M (2021) to $18.0M (2024). In 2025 it made 62 grants totaling $16.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Acadiana Legal Service Corporation ($5.1M). Together the top 10 received $12.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
252 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 135 grants of 252 (54%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Acadiana Legal Service Corporation Lafayette, LA | Legal Services Corporation | $5,089,490 |
| Southeast Louisiana Legal Services New Orleans, LA | Legal Services Corporation | $3,901,563 |
| Lagniappe Law Lab New Orleans, LA | Special Partnership Grant | $842,500 |
| Southern University Law Center Baton Rouge, LA | Law Related Education | $798,500 |
| Louisiana Appleseed New Orleans, LA | Special Partnership Grant | $527,200 |
| The Pro Bono Project New Orleans, LA | Pro Bono Project | $444,000 |
| Baton Rouge Bar Foundation Baton Rouge, LA | Pro Bono Project | $314,500 |
| Shreveport Bar Foundation Shreveport, LA | Pro Bono Project | $306,903 |
| The Wellspring Alliance for Families Monroe, LA | Domestic Violence Program | $298,460 |
| Catholic Charities - Diocese of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge, LA | Other Legal Services | $246,236 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,775,199 | $30,547,181 | $18,507,828 | $16,341,935 |
| 2024 | $40,007,923 | $31,639,095 | $21,759,113 | $18,017,557 |
| 2023 | $24,479,806 | $21,074,164 | $13,966,469 | $8,013,437 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $54,775,199 | $40,007,923 | $24,479,806 |
| Revenue | $30,547,181 | $31,639,095 | $21,074,164 |
| Expenses | $18,507,828 | $21,759,113 | $13,966,469 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,461,036 | $736,968 | $653,161 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 20, 2025)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Laura C. Sewell as executive director; Hon. John C. Davidson as president; Edmund J. Giering IV as vice president; Charles C. “Chuck” Bourque as secretary; Michael J. Mestayer as treasurer; and Deidre D. Robert as immediate past president. Directors listed include Ashley Kelton Kelly Longwell, Linda Law Clark, George D. Ernest III, and Hon. Page McClendon.
Louisiana Bar Foundation is led by Laura C. Sewell, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2023); 4 of 27 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Laura C. Sewell
Executive Director
Associate Executive Director → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$134K (2023) → $206K (2025)
John C. Davidson
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George D. Ernest III
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shayna L. Sonnier
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maggie Trahan Simar
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Kelton Kelly Longwell
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony J. Staines
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher B. Hebert
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Law Clark
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Page McClendon
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa D. King
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Bell Melton
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marcus L. Hunter
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick A. Talley Jr.
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula E. Miles
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheri Morris
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward J. Walters Jr.
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
G. Adam Cossey
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan L. Johnson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karelia R. Stewart
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna C. Cuneo
Immediate Past Executive Director
Executive Director → Immediate Past Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$155K (2019) → $202K (2025)
Dennette Young
CCO
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $135K (2025)
Renee Leboeuf
Cgao
On filings since 2024
35 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $117K (2025)
Deidre D. Robert
Immediate Past President
Vice President → President, 2024
President → Immediate Past President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael J. Mestayer
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Chuck Bourque Jr.
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edmund J. Giering IV
Vice President
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Alan G. Brackett (2019–2024) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Zebulon M. Winstead (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: John C. Nickelson (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Julie M. Lafargue (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Adrienne D. White (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Colleen C. Jarrott (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Cynthia Clay Guillory (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: G. Adam Cosey (2024) — Director
- Former: Christopher K. Ralston (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Wendy E. W. Giovingo (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Raymond S. Steib Jr. (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Stephen I. Dwyer (2023) — Director
- Former: David E. Verlander III (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Harry J. Skip Philips Jr. (2019–2022) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Guy E. Bradberry (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Patricia Bonneau (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: H. Minor Pipes III (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Dana M. Douglas (2022) — Director
- Former: Stephen I. Dywer (2022) — Director
- Former: Amanda W. Barnett (2019–2021) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Camille Jackson (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Eugene G. Gouaux Jr. (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Karleen J. Green (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Alainna R. Mire (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ray S. Steib Jr. (2021) — Director
- Former: Kerry A. Murphy (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Robert A. Kutcher (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Sharonda R. Williams (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: W. Michael Street (2019–2020) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Paula Adams Ates (2020) — Director
- Former: Barry H. Grodsky (2019) — Director
- Former: H. Dunbar Healy (2019) — Director
- Former: Jerry Edwards (2019) — Director
- Former: Tina Crawford White (2019) — Director
- Former: Valerie Briggs Bargas (2019) — Immediate Past President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $206K, to Laura C Sewell (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 601 Poydras St Suite 1777, New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 561-1046
Frequently asked questions about Louisiana Bar Foundation
How much does Louisiana Bar Foundation give each year?
Louisiana Bar Foundation gave $16.3M across 62 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $18.0M across 54 grants.
What is Louisiana Bar Foundation's typical grant size?
Louisiana Bar Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $75,000, and its average grant was $263,580, across 62 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Louisiana Bar Foundation that year got $91K on average.
Where does Louisiana Bar Foundation give grants?
Louisiana Bar Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (15 grants), Lafayette, LA (6 grants), Lake Charles, LA (6 grants) and Baton Rouge, LA (5 grants).
Does Louisiana Bar Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 62 grants with a stated purpose on Louisiana Bar Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Domestic Violence Program" (17 grants), "Other Legal Services" (11 grants) and "Pro Bono Project" (8 grants).
Who are Louisiana Bar Foundation's largest grantees?
Louisiana Bar Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Acadiana Legal Service Corporation ($5,089,490), Southeast Louisiana Legal Services ($3,901,563) and Lagniappe Law Lab ($842,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Louisiana Bar Foundation?
Louisiana Bar Foundation reported $54.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $30.5M.
What does Louisiana Bar Foundation fund?
The LBF’s stated mission is to preserve, honor, and improve the justice system by supporting efforts that enhance the legal profession, increase public understanding of the legal system, and advance equal justice under the law. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Louisiana Bar Foundation?
Eligible organizations can apply for Annual/Sustaining Grants through the grantee portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Louisiana Bar Foundation's EIN?
Louisiana Bar Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7100704. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Louisiana Bar Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Louisiana Bar Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Greater New Orleans Foundation
New Orleans, LA
The Greater New Orleans Foundation funds arts and culture, education, youth development, health, social services, and other regional priorities across the 13 parishes of Southeast Louisiana. Its stated average grant is about $20,000; its IMPACT grants are invitation-only, while the Foundation encourages nonprofits to share information about their work through a form.
Assets
$513.0M
Grants
623
Total Given
$34.6M
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
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Inc
Baton Rouge, LA
The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence funds Louisiana programs serving survivors of domestic violence, including shelter, intervention, financial empowerment, and housing-stability services. In 2024, its 39 grants ranged from $5,125 to $827,424, with a median of $99,334; potential recipients submit letters of intent, so requests are accepted through this stated process.
Assets
$4.6M
Grants
39
Total Given
$9.5M
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corp
Hammond, LA
For detailed explanation
Assets
$8.9M
Grants
9
Total Given
$729K
Baptist Community Ministries
New Orleans, LA
Baptist Community Ministries funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in health, education, or public safety in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana. Its 2025 grants had a median of $10,000, while public Transom Grants start at $50,000 per year and discretionary donations are generally $5,000 or less. It accepts unsolicited requests through these public programs; other grant types are invitation-only.
Assets
$397.5M
Grants
264
Total Given
$10.6M
United Way of Southeast Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
United Way of Southeast Louisiana funds collaborative efforts to reduce poverty, including workforce training, housing, health care, youth development, education, and food access. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,575 to $303,517, with a median of $37,368, and it primarily serves seven Southeast Louisiana parishes. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.1M
Grants
160
Total Given
$8.4M
Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird
Shreveport, LA
The foundation supports qualified nonprofits in education, housing, health care, social services, the arts, and community development, with an emphasis on small, local, innovative programs serving Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50 to $77,000, with a median of $2,000. It accepts requests through an online Letter of Intent process, with full applications invited after approval.
Assets
$22.3M
Grants
160
Total Given
$1.6M
Foundation for Louisiana
New Orleans, LA
Foundation for Louisiana supports community-led work on racial, climate, criminal and economic justice, gender justice, and arts and culture, primarily across Louisiana. Its 2025 grants had a median of $28,750 (ranging from $7,000 to $175,000); general grantmaking is by invitation, though it offers applications for specific opportunities such as the Solidarity Fund.
Assets
$18.5M
Grants
40
Total Given
$1.9M
Bayou Community Foundation
Houma, LA
Bayou Community Foundation funds nonprofit programs addressing local needs such as food, housing, behavioral health, disaster recovery, and community services in Lafourche Parish, Terrebonne Parish, and Grand Isle, Louisiana. Its 2026 grants offered up to $10,000 for capacity-building and up to $30,000 for established or innovative programs; 2024 grants had a median of $10,000. It accepts initial requests through its online grants portal, with selected applicants invited to submit a further application.
Assets
$3.5M
Grants
29
Total Given
$467K
Irene W & CB Pennington Private
Baton Rouge, LA
The foundation supports arts, health, education and social-emotional learning, public safety, economic development, disaster resilience, recreation, the environment, and accessibility, with most giving focused on Greater Baton Rouge. Its website says typical grants are $15,000–$30,000, with smaller annual grants and larger capital awards also possible. The 2024 filing says it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests, though its website invites eligible nonprofits to apply online.
Assets
$21.8M
Grants
130
Total Given
$5.5M
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
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
More Funders in Louisiana
Louisiana Bar Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?