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Hub AI
Baton Rouge Area Foundation AI simulator
(@Baton Rouge Area Foundation_simulator)
Hub AI
Baton Rouge Area Foundation AI simulator
(@Baton Rouge Area Foundation_simulator)
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) is a nonprofit community foundation established in 1964 by a group of civic leaders in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Louisiana's capital region by uniting human and financial resources to address community challenges and opportunities. It is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization. BRAF serves a service area encompassing over 1.5 million residents across multiple parishes in South Louisiana.
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation unites human and financial resources to enhance the quality of life in South Louisiana.
To achieve the mission, BRAF operates through three primary avenues:
Established in 1964 by a group of 12 local civic leaders, BRAF was initially formed to raise funds and acquire land for the Gulf South Research Institute (GSRI) to establish offices in Baton Rouge.
John Davies was BRAF's first full-time President and Chief Executive Officer, and led the foundation for 33 years until his retirement. Under his leadership, the Foundation grew from $5 million assets to over $700 million. The Foundation is currently led by Chris Meyer, former CEO of New Schools for Baton Rouge.
The Foundation's property real-estate arm, Commercial Properties Realty Trust, built and owns several properties in downtown Baton Rouge, including the IBM Building. BRAF has relocated from the IBM Building into the basement of the newly renovated Watermark Centre.
In 2022, BRAF launched the Opportunity Agenda to strategically address systemic inequities and expand access to opportunity across the Baton Rouge region. Developed through extensive community engagement—including input from over 300 residents—the agenda identifies six key focus areas: Economic Prosperity, Excellent Education, Healthy Families, Quality of Life, Safer Neighborhoods, Regional Resilience. These areas serve as the foundation for BRAF’s philanthropic and civic initiatives, guiding investments and partnerships that aim to create lasting, equitable impact.
As of 2023, BRAF reported total assets of approximately $748 million and net assets of $311 million. In the fiscal year ending December 2023, the foundation's revenue was $54.6 million, with expenses totaling $48.6 million. The majority of its revenue was derived from contributions and investment income.
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) is a nonprofit community foundation established in 1964 by a group of civic leaders in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Louisiana's capital region by uniting human and financial resources to address community challenges and opportunities. It is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization. BRAF serves a service area encompassing over 1.5 million residents across multiple parishes in South Louisiana.
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation unites human and financial resources to enhance the quality of life in South Louisiana.
To achieve the mission, BRAF operates through three primary avenues:
Established in 1964 by a group of 12 local civic leaders, BRAF was initially formed to raise funds and acquire land for the Gulf South Research Institute (GSRI) to establish offices in Baton Rouge.
John Davies was BRAF's first full-time President and Chief Executive Officer, and led the foundation for 33 years until his retirement. Under his leadership, the Foundation grew from $5 million assets to over $700 million. The Foundation is currently led by Chris Meyer, former CEO of New Schools for Baton Rouge.
The Foundation's property real-estate arm, Commercial Properties Realty Trust, built and owns several properties in downtown Baton Rouge, including the IBM Building. BRAF has relocated from the IBM Building into the basement of the newly renovated Watermark Centre.
In 2022, BRAF launched the Opportunity Agenda to strategically address systemic inequities and expand access to opportunity across the Baton Rouge region. Developed through extensive community engagement—including input from over 300 residents—the agenda identifies six key focus areas: Economic Prosperity, Excellent Education, Healthy Families, Quality of Life, Safer Neighborhoods, Regional Resilience. These areas serve as the foundation for BRAF’s philanthropic and civic initiatives, guiding investments and partnerships that aim to create lasting, equitable impact.
As of 2023, BRAF reported total assets of approximately $748 million and net assets of $311 million. In the fiscal year ending December 2023, the foundation's revenue was $54.6 million, with expenses totaling $48.6 million. The majority of its revenue was derived from contributions and investment income.