Who can apply for a grant?
Qualified 501(c)3 nonprofits and some government agencies can apply for grants. Under IRS rules, we are prohibited from making grants to people. We also can’t issue grants or loans to small businesses. All our grants must be used by nonprofits for charitable ends.
What is the average grant size?
Pennington grants typically range from $15,000 to $30,000. Grants requests of $5,000 to $10,000 are considered for annual support. Grants of more than $50,000 are less common; they are typically awarded for capital projects.
What geographic areas do the Pennington foundations serve?
Most giving focuses on organizations and agencies within the Greater Baton Rouge area. Nonprofits and agencies outside the area that receive funding typically have a direct connection to trustees of the Foundations or national nonprofits that have worked in the Baton Rouge for a period of time.
Should a representative from my organization speak directly to one of the Pennington family members/trustees about submitting a grant?
Please contact staff of the the Foundation first for guidance and information.
How many times per year are grants awarded?
Our competitive grants are typically awarded in December. But a few select grants are made at other times.
What are the deadlines to submit my proposal for competitive grantmaking process?
Proposals must be submitted by August 15 at 4 p.m, unless that date falls on a weekend. If so, the deadline for submitting is 4 p.m. on the first business day that follows the weekend.
Can my organization submit more than one proposal per year?
Yes. An organization can submit multiple proposals but only by trustee request.
Can I renew my grant?
We accept requests to continue funding a project, but don’t guarantee funding past the awarded term.
Does the Foundation award multi-year grants?
We do award multi-year grants. Most grants are awarded for one year, but you may reapply each year for consecutive funding.
Does the Foundation make grants for capital projects?
Yes, but please email us before submitting your proposal. We must be highly selective about funding capital projects, and we’d love to speak with you before you apply.
Do you provide grants for operating costs?
Yes, but funding is typically $20,000 or less. Our trustees prefer to give operating support to organizations that have ongoing relationships with the Foundation and are trusted partners.
Does Pennington provide funding for events?
We no longer sponsor unsolicited fundraising events. We do underwrite some events, with most of the support to organizations that have relationships with our trustees. You must apply for event funding via the grants portal on this site and are required to report use of the funding.
What are the reporting requirements if my organization receives a grant?
Grantees must submit a final report 12 months from the date on the award check. If you plan to apply for funding in a subsequent year, then you must also file a 6-month report from the date on the award check.
What happens if my organization does not submit the required reports?
The Foundation reserves the right to decline funding to organizations that do not report according to our guidelines. Late reports jeopardize the organization’s grant status and can be considered a violation of the grant agreement, so please be aware of your due dates and submit your reports in a timely manner.
What should I do if my organization realizes it cannot use a grant award as originally stated in the proposal?
When organizations face program changes and other challenges that require funds to be used in different ways, we’ll do our best to create a mutually-agreed alternative plan.
What is the difference between the several Pennington family foundations and the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation?
The Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation is a completely separate entity associated with Pennington Biomedical Research Center.