The Charles Lamar Family Foundation
The Charles Lamar Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2000 by Charles W. Lamar III. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing financial support to community organizations striving to make a difference. The foundation serves as a permanent vehicle for the Lamar family to support nonprofits aligned with their philanthropic priorities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.8M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+22.3% YoY
Grant Count
47
+34.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$33K
-9.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Charles Lamar Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's vision for Baton Rouge centers on building a cadre of stable nonprofit organizations that effect positive change in the community. The foundation seeks to support emerging, maturing, and expanding nonprofits with useful missions responsive to community challenges and opportunities.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education (with special emphasis on Pre-K–12 education)
- Animal Welfare (with special emphasis on companion animal welfare)
- Conservation of Natural & Historic Resources (with special emphasis on water resources)
- Social Services
- Arts & Culture
The foundation notes three areas of special interest: Pre-K–12 education, companion animal welfare, and water resources.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not provide all funding for a project or program, preferring to ensure that the wider community is committed to the activity.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grants are generally limited to organizations located in or near the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area, though the foundation's giving has extended to organizations in California and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $13.8 million
- Total Revenue: $2.15 million
- Total Expenses: $1.32 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
Recent giving:
- Total giving: $1,538,311 (based on most recent IRS Form 990 filing)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,774,174 | $13,800,699 | $12,973,784 |
| Revenue | $1,634,660 | $2,146,183 | $1,042,503 |
| Expenses | $1,656,925 | $1,319,268 | $1,272,292 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,583,320 | $1,278,050 | $1,217,342 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,547,953 | $1,082,026 | $963,975 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,553,497 | $1,268,843 | $1,288,865 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
197 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Charles Lamar Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cat Haven ($200,000), Companion Animal Alliance ($156,250), Baton Rouge Youth Coalition ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S SERVICES OF THE CAPITAL AREA BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - ROSEMARY SOCIETY CHALLENEGE & OPERATING COSTS FOR CHARLIE'S PLACE III | $29,250 |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - SHAW CENTER FOR THE ARTS SUBSIDY PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| BALDWIN FAMILY VILLAGE FOUNDATION FAIRHOPE, AL | CHARITABLE - GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BATON ROUGE GALLERY BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - THE REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE - AN EXHIBILTION OF ART BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS | $6,000 |
| BATON ROUGE YOUTH COALITION BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - SUPPORT PERSISTENCE PROGRAM | $100,000 |
| BIG BUDDY PROGRAMBR AREA YOUTH NETWORK BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP INITATIVE | $20,000 |
| CANCER SERVICES OF GREATER BATON ROUGE BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - ANNUAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CAT HAVEN BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - FUNDING FOR ADOPTION SERVICES CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT | $200,000 |
| CENIKOR FOUNDATION BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - GENERAL ANNUAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE BATON ROUGE, LA | CHARITABLE - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Charles W. Lamar III founded the foundation and is quoted in foundation materials expressing the family's commitment to supporting community organizations in a meaningful and responsible manner.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES W LAMAR III | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| CAROLE E LAMAR | SECRETARY/TREASURER | — | — |
| ALLISON LAMAR BEARD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| COURTNEY LAMAR LEADER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| WYATT BEARD | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| NICHOLAS LEADER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation awarded 2025 grant funds to eleven deserving organizations through its Lamar Gives 365 initiative. The foundation has also partnered with community organizations such as the Baton Rouge Gallery to support initiatives like art supply donations.
Lamar Gives 365 Awards 2025 Grant Funds to Eleven Deserving OrganizationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Charles Lamar Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's vision for Baton Rouge centers on building a cadre of stable nonprofit organizations that effect positive change in the community. The foundation seeks to support emerging, maturing, and expanding nonprofits with useful missions responsive to community challenges and opportunities. **Primary funding areas include:** • Education (with special emphasis on Pre-K–12 education) • Animal Welfare (with special emphasis on companion animal welfare) • Conservation of Natural & Historic …
How do I apply for a grant from The Charles Lamar Family Foundation?
The foundation does not provide all funding for a project or program, preferring to ensure that the wider community is committed to the activity. **Grant characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,000–$250,000 • The foundation expects funds to be used as described in grant applications and requires final reporting on project outcomes and actual revenues and expenses • The foundation is inclined to favor grants addressing needs that may be particularly difficult to raise money to support • Pre…
Where does The Charles Lamar Family Foundation make grants?
Grants are generally limited to organizations located in or near the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area, though the foundation's giving has extended to organizations in California and Michigan.
What size grants does The Charles Lamar Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Charles Lamar Family Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $33K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Charles Lamar Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Charles Lamar Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Charles Lamar Family Foundation's EIN?
The Charles Lamar Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1488497. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Charles Lamar Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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