Getting to Know the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Louisiana Giving
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The Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) is one of the larger community funders in the American South, with over 600 fund donors and grants exceeding $40 million per year. BRAF is committed to making southern Louisiana a better place to live, and there are a few different ways that nonprofits can get involved throughout the year.
To guide Louisiana grantseekers, here are some things to know about the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.
Competitive grants program
BRAF has a competitive grants program that is a major component of its overall grantmaking strategy. The foundation makes these grants through six different funds. One is the Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge Foundation, which awards grants of $2,500 to $50,000 to help people understand credit risk and money management. Meanwhile, the Farrnbacher Memorial Fund supports people in need of eye care with grants between $5,000 and $15,000.
Another BRAF competitive grant fund is the E. J. and Marjory B. Ourso Family Foundation, which funds in the program areas of education, health, human services and religion with four application cycles per year. There’s also the Powell Group Fund, which supports the arts, humanities, community development, environment, education, health and human services.
Southern Louisiana organizations can apply for a $500 to $5,000 grant through the Turner Industries Fund for efforts related to workforce development, health, community improvement and education. And finally, BRAF administers the Young Women’s Christian Organization Fund to improve the lives of women and girls, twice per year with $1,000 to $4,000 grants.
BRAF scholarships
Another important part of BRAF’s work is its scholarship program. The foundation distributed over $161,500 in scholarships in a recent year. There are prequalifying questions for students to answer on the foundation website, and some BRAF scholarships require applicants to complete FAFSA student aid forms before applying for support.
Big Brown Cares Fund
Another way to get involved with BRAF is to apply for grant assistance through the Big Brown Cares Fund. This fund offers financial assistance to UPS employees in Louisiana who have experienced hardships. The fund carries on the philanthropic legacy of James “Big Brown” Joseph, who raised money to buy air conditioners for people along his route as a UPS driver.
Consulting services
Like many community foundations, BRAF also offers nonprofit consulting services. These services extend to board development, fundraising, strategic planning and other capacity-building efforts to help nonprofits achieve their missions. The foundation board has implemented a fee-for-service model to pay for the base cost of staff members’ time.
BRAF projects
One final thing to keep in mind about BRAF’s work: it engages in civil service projects and works with partners who are also interested in downtown reinvestment, neighborhood revitalization, public transportation, behavioral health crisis centers and other community needs. Current BRAF projects address housing, autism, bike-sharing and the expansion of a health district. Park paths, environmental cleanup, literacy, mental illness, water conservation and rail transportation are also foundation interests.
Read more about the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and other local givers in IP’s Louisiana grantmaking guide.
