OVERVIEW: The Irene W. & C. B. Pennington Foundation supports arts, humanities, community development, public safety, disaster resilience, social and emotional learning, human services, medical and mental health and the environment in Louisiana.
IP TAKE: This accessible family funder has many different local interests and is open to providing operating, program, seed, capital and disaster funding.
PROFILE: Established in 1982, the Irene W. & C. B. Pennington Foundation is a private family foundation based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is the foundation of Claude B. “Doc” Pennington and his wife, Irene Wells Pennington. Doc Pennington worked in the oil and gas industry and pursued an optometry practice. He later purchased a plantation that was one of the largest oil and gas finds in Louisiana history. The foundation aims to “to serve as a partner, champion and ally for the State of Louisiana by investing in innovative programs, initiatives and organizations that build resilient communities.” It funds local efforts for arts, humanities, community development, public safety, disaster resilience, social and emotional learning, human services, medical and mental health and the environment.
Grants for Arts and Culture, Community Development, Humanitarian and Disaster Relief, K-12 Education, Public Health and Access, Mental Health, and Environment
The Irene W. & C. B. Pennington Foundation funds arts and humanities grants that give people the opportunity to create through a variety of forms. Community development and public safety grants target both rural and urban life. Disaster-related grants fund both preparedness and recovery. Education funding reaches early childhood through postgraduate academics. Human services grants fund food, shelter, clothing and recreation needs. Health grants fund healthcare education, access to care, medical research and healthy living. Finally, environment grants support efforts for clean water, coastal erosion, and environmental protection in the state. The foundation also awards grants and has initiatives for the performing arts, biomedical research, HIV/AIDS and girls’ empowerment.
Past local grantees include the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Young Life West Feliciana, and Slaughter Elementary School.
Important Grant Details
Grants range between about $5,000 and $50,000. Grantmaking focuses primarily on Southern Louisiana. Most grants stay in the Greater Baton Rouge area and the surrounding parishes, including East and West Feliciana and Pointe Coupee.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits once per year. Proposals are due on August 15, and the funder issues notifications in December. The funder uses an online application process. Direct general questions to Rachel Ayn Konick on the staff at Rachel@penningtonfamilyfoundation.org or 225-922-4600.
PEOPLE:
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