Pro Bono Publico Foundation
The Pro Bono Publico Foundation is a public charity based in New Orleans, Louisiana. It raises funds and makes grants to support organizations working to improve the New Orleans region, with a special focus on education and access to excellent schools.
Pro Bono Publico Foundation at a glance
In short: Pro Bono Publico Foundation gave $1.1M across 59 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in Louisiana. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,079,300
- -14.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 59
- -4.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $18,293
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $1,511,298
- +1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (4 of 58, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (91% 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 Pro Bono Publico Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation welcomes grant applications through a two-phase process. Round One applications are submitted from June 1 through July 15 and include an application form and a proposal narrative of no more than three pages. Applicants invited to Round Two submit supporting documents, including organizational and program budgets, financial and audit materials, the most recent Form 990, an IRS determination letter, board and key staff lists, and an annual report. The Foundation asks applicants to submit each round’s documents together as PDF files in a single email. Grant recipients are asked to report on the use of funds and progress; the Foundation’s website describes semi-annual one-page summaries, while its filing narrative requires a complete report upon project completion or within one year of accepting funds, whichever comes first.
- Review Cycle
- Round One applications are due July 15; Round Two materials are due October 1 for applicants invited to advance. For the 2025–26 cycle, the Foundation said awards would be announced before year-end 2025.
- Deadline
- Round One applications are due July 15; Round Two materials are due October 1 for applicants invited to advance.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1240 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 584-1228
Website: https://probonopublicofoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Pro Bono Publico Foundation
Who Pro Bono Publico Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Manning Family Children's Hospital ($75K). Together the top 10 received $405K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
315 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 304 grants of 315 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation supports nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations serving the greater New Orleans region. In 2025, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana, 6% to New York, 2% to California, and 1% to Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Pro Bono Publico Foundation open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 58 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+18%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $878K (2023) to $1.3M (2024). In 2025 it made 59 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Manning Family Children's Hospital New Orleans, LA | The grant supports and expands thrivekids' work to provide behavioral and physical health support in new orleans public schools. The grant also provides funding to survey and map current needs and work done by thrivekids and other supporting organizations with the goal to develop a sustainable model of system-wide behavioral and physical health support for new orleans public school students. Thrivekids is based at manning family children's hospital; mfch receives and passes through grant funds to thrivekids. | $75,000 |
| Kipp New Orleans Schools New Orleans, LA | General Operating Support | $65,000 |
| Inspire Nola Charter Schools New Orleans, LA | To inspire an educational movement where students can develop academic and personal skills | $55,000 |
| TNTP Inc New York, NY | To fill funding gap created by federal funding cuts to complete training for 87 educators | $50,000 |
| Teach for America - GNO New Orleans, LA | General Operating Fund | $35,000 |
| 18TH Ward Sports Club New Orleans, LA | Provide high-quality, low-cost youth sports programs in new orleans where everyone is welcome regardless of race, gender, income, or neighborhood. | $25,000 |
| Collegiate Academics New Orleans, LA | Developing Excellent Educators Program | $25,000 |
| Crescent City School New Orleans, LA | Operating Funds to Support and Develop Enrichment Programs | $25,000 |
| Discovery Schools Kenner, LA | Provide a rigorous learning environment where students achieve academically, develop intellectual curiosity, and practice envrionmental responsibility | $25,000 |
| First Line Schools New Orleans, LA | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Pro Bono Publico Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,511,298 | $1,512,354 | $1,301,950 | $1,079,300 | 59 | $56,547 |
| 2024 | $1,484,846 | $1,312,068 | $1,415,624 | $1,260,167 | 62 | $69,746 |
| 2023 | $1,603,714 | $1,422,527 | $1,297,638 | $877,998 | 57 | $33,424 |
| 2022 | $1,527,473 | $1,031,485 | $1,581,868 | $913,415 | 63 | $-1,426 |
| 2021 | $1,503,850 | $1,230,333 | $1,080,943 | $902,202 | 74 | $1,981 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states its mission is “to enhance the quality of life in Greater New Orleans area.” Its grantmaking supports innovative and effective programs and organizations serving the region, especially those focused on education. The Foundation has awarded grants to schools and organizations that support children’s education, as well as to programs addressing student health and youth activities.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate this range. For example, TNTP says its mission is to transform education so every young person thrives; Agenda for Children describes work supporting children and families through access to resources, early education and care, and stronger support systems. Morris Jeff Community School describes itself as an open-access school serving learners of all backgrounds, while the 18th Ward Sports Club grant was for low-cost youth sports programs in New Orleans.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation made 59 grants totaling $1,079,300. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $75,000, with a median of $15,000. The Foundation’s website describes its grant amount as open, but generally less than $25,000. For the 2025–26 cycle, it said it would continue operational grants to schools, charter management organizations, and supporting organizations while prioritizing larger strategic grants with potential system-wide impact.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $75,000 to Manning Family Children’s Hospital, which receives and passes through funds to ThriveKids for behavioral and physical health support in New Orleans public schools; $65,000 to KIPP New Orleans Schools for general operating support; $55,000 to an individual recipient Schools; and $50,000 to TNTP Inc. to help complete training for 87 educators following federal funding cuts. Other examples include $35,000 to Teach for America–GNO for general operating funds and $25,000 to the Louisiana Association of an individual recipient Schools to support and advocate for the state’s charter school movement.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Charles Goodyear as Governance Committee Chair; H. Merritt Lane III as Grants Committee Chairman; J. Storey Charbonnet as Chairman/Secretary; Christian T. Brown as ex-officio; and Edwin Rodriguez Jr., John K. Saer Jr., Kenneth A. St. Charles, Richard F. Cortizas, St. Denis J. Villere III, and Stephen C. Sherrill as trustees.
Pro Bono Publico Foundation is led by Charles Goodyear, Governance Committee Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 14 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Charles Goodyear
Governance Committee Chair
Director → Governance Committee Chairman, 2023
Governance Committee Chairman → Governance Committee Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
H. Merritt Lane III
Grants Committee Chairman
Director → Grants Committee Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Storey Charbonnet
Chairman & Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edwin Rodriguez Jr.
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
St Denis J. Villere III
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen C. Sherrill
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen W. Hales MD
Trustee
Grants Committee Chairman → Director, 2023
Director → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John K. Saer Jr.
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth A. St Charles PhD
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard F. Cortizas
Trustee
Director → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis P. Lauscha
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ludovico F. Feoli PhD
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christian T. Brown
Ex-Officio
Executive Officio → Ex-Officio, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James J. Reiss III
Ex-Officio
Executive Officio → Ex-Officio, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Prentiss Christian Patrick (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Alan H. Philipson (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: John E. Koerner (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Ronald J. French (2021–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Pro Bono Publico Foundation
How much does Pro Bono Publico Foundation give each year?
Pro Bono Publico Foundation gave $1.1M across 59 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 62 grants.
What is Pro Bono Publico Foundation's typical grant size?
Pro Bono Publico Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $18,293, across 59 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pro Bono Publico Foundation that year got $36K on average.
Where does Pro Bono Publico Foundation give grants?
Pro Bono Publico Foundation gives mostly in Louisiana: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New Orleans, LA (48 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Pro Bono Publico Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 41% of Pro Bono Publico Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 59) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Pro Bono Publico Foundation's largest grantees?
Pro Bono Publico Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Manning Family Children's Hospital ($75,000), Kipp New Orleans Schools ($65,000) and Inspire Nola Charter Schools ($55,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Pro Bono Publico Foundation?
Pro Bono Publico Foundation reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What does Pro Bono Publico Foundation fund?
The organization states its mission is “to enhance the quality of life in Greater New Orleans area.” Its grantmaking supports innovative and effective programs and organizations serving the region, especially those focused on education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pro Bono Publico Foundation?
The Foundation welcomes grant applications through a two-phase process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Pro Bono Publico Foundation's EIN?
Pro Bono Publico Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1512587. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 2, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Pro Bono Publico 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
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
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
The Booth-Bricker Fund
New Orleans, LA
The Booth-Bricker Fund focuses its current giving on public education reform, primarily in New Orleans and to a lesser extent elsewhere in Louisiana. In 2025, its 57 grants ranged from $50 to $750,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts unsolicited written proposals at any time and typically reviews them quarterly.
Assets
$48.3M
Grants
57
Total Given
$3.5M
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
The Gpoa Foundation
New Orleans, LA
The GPOA Foundation funds nonprofit programs serving children and youth in Orleans Parish, including early learning, enrichment, behavioral health, and education and job-readiness support for at-risk youth. Typical requests are $10,000–$20,000, though its website also reports a broader usual range of $4,000–$40,000.
Assets
$16.3M
Grants
47
Total Given
$793K
More similar funders
More Funders in Louisiana
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Pro Bono Publico Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/pro-bono-publico-foundation-morg_e14d6cd0912244c08cd52d7f75b2db7b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_611512587_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Pro Bono Publico Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/pro-bono-publico-foundation-morg_e14d6cd0912244c08cd52d7f75b2db7b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Pro Bono Publico Foundation'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.
Pro Bono Publico Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?