Baton Rouge Area Foundation

At BRAF's annual meeting, we were honored to posthumously recognize Brace B. Godfrey, Jr. with the Marcia Kaplan Kantrow Baton Rouge Visionary Award. It honors individuals with an outsized dedication to the betterment of Baton Rouge, with particular emphasis on the downtown area. His son, Brace "Trey" Godfrey, III, accepted the award on his behalf. We are privileged to celebrate Brace’s profound and far-reaching impact across the region. This award pays tribute to the late Marcia Kaplan Kantrow, BRAF’s first Director of Programs, who was an extraordinary leader, mentor, and inspiration for many. This award was presented on behalf on the Kantrow family by Mary Kay Brown. Watch the full award video here https://lnkd.in/gvXzWz5m

Today, we proudly celebrate the 22nd work anniversary of our incredible receptionist, Gloria Chapman! From the moment you step through our doors, Gloria’s warm smile and welcoming spirit set the tone for the entire Foundation. She is the heart of our front office, ensuring everything runs seamlessly and making a lasting impact on everyone she meets. Thank you, Gloria, for your dedication, kindness, and the positivity you bring to BRAF every day! 💙✨

This year, BRAF proudly introduced the Champion for Giving Award, a new award that recognizes professional advisors who inspire clients to embrace charitable giving by connecting them with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. We were honored to present the inaugural award to Sidney M. Blitzer, Jr., a partner at Butler Snow LLP, for his exceptional commitment to advancing philanthropy and strengthening our community. The award was presented by Jeffrey Koonce, the Foundation's immediate past board chair. Congratulations, Sid! Thank you for your commitment to inspiring philanthropy and amplifying our impact in the community. Watch the full award video here https://lnkd.in/gAN35m8B

At BRAF’s 2025 Annual Meeting, we celebrated the 24th annual John W. Barton Sr. Awards for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. Established to honor BRAF’s founding leader, these awards recognize outstanding nonprofit leadership. Each year, two established nonprofit leaders and one emerging nonprofit leader receive this distinction. Congratulations to this year's winners! 🏆 Libbie Sonnier, Ph.D. Sonnier, CEO, The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Institute for Children 🏆 Lucas Spielfogel, CEO, The Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) Coalition 🏆 Pheriche Perkins, Executive Director, Point Coupée Early Childhood Coalition (Rising Star Honoree) John Barton, Jr. was on stage to present the awards. Thank you to these inspiring leaders for their commitment to Baton Rouge! 🎉 Watch the full award video here https://lnkd.in/guPkhjjG

Thank you to the more than 200 members and donors who joined us for BRAF’s 2025 Annual Meeting! From celebrating last year’s milestones to unveiling future initiatives, welcoming new board members, and honoring community leaders, the evening was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together. During the evening, outgoing chair Jeffrey Koonce passed the gavel to the incoming chair Tom Adamek, who announced our awards for the evening. The John W. Barton Sr. Awards for Excellence in Nonprofit Management were presented to Dr. Libbie Sonnier, CEO of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, and Lucas Spielfogel, CEO of the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition. Pheriche Perkins, Executive Director of the Point Coupee Early Childhood Coalition, was named a Rising Star in nonprofit management. Sidney M. Blitzer, Jr., a partner at Butler Snow LLP, was named the Champion for Giving, the inaugural award for professional advisors, and the Marcia Kaplan Kantrow Baton Rouge Visionary Award was posthumously bestowed to Brace B. Godfrey, Jr. Brace's son, Brace Godfrey, III, accepted the award on his behalf. Following the award presentations, CEO and President Chris Meyer delivered the President’s Report, providing updates on the organization’s progress and setting the stage for the year ahead. The work of the Foundation would not be possible without the support of our members, donors, and community partners. We are thankful to all who collaborated with BRAF in 2024, and we’re looking forward to another year of collaboration and creating a lasting impact together! 💙 #PartnershipMakesItPossible #BRAF

We’re excited to celebrate Carissa Graves, vice president of Philanthropic Advancement, for earning her 21/64 Certification in multi-generational philanthropy! This certification equips her with the tools to foster meaningful and lasting philanthropy across generations. 21/64, recognized for its innovative approach, empowers leaders to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of multi-generational giving, helping families and organizations create a lasting impact. Congratulations, Carissa, on this incredible achievement and your continued leadership in advancing philanthropy!

At BRAF, we believe that partnership makes it possible to create a thriving community. A Corporate Membership connects your business with community leaders, provides exclusive benefits, and supports initiatives that strengthen our region. Join today and experience: ~ High-Impact Networking – Engage with top business leaders, philanthropists, and community decision-makers. ~ Community Leadership Opportunities – Play a key role in driving solutions for Baton Rouge’s biggest challenges. ~ Exclusive Events and Insights – Access reports, forums, and private gatherings focused on regional growth. ~ Philanthropy and Civic Leadership Opportunities – Demonstrate your company’s commitment to philanthropy and civic leadership. ~ Recognition for Commitment to Community Impact – Gain recognition for your support and commitment to community impact. Choose the membership level that best suits your company's goals and help us to fuel transformation and lasting progress. Learn more at braf.org/membership.

Join us in celebrating Ally Rennhoff Martinez’s 2nd work anniversary at BRAF! Ally has been an invaluable member of our Center for Nonprofit Excellence team, serving as the Director of Nonprofit Consulting and Membership. Her dedication to supporting and uplifting local nonprofits is evident in everything she does. When she’s not making an impact at BRAF, Ally is a proud Taylor Swift superfan and often works with foster animals. Her energy and positivity light up every room she enters. We are proud to have her on our team! Congratulations, Ally! 🎉

We are thrilled to celebrate the graduation of our inaugural class of Nonprofit Board Chair Fellows! This transformative program, consisting of six sessions, aims to empower and enhance the leadership skills of nonprofit board chairs in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Our class of 20 dedicated individuals has truly excelled, showcasing their commitment and enthusiasm in every session. With the skills they have gained, these leaders are now well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in their communities. It has been inspiring to witness their growth, and we eagerly anticipate the contributions they will bring moving forward. Applications for the next cohort of Nonprofit Board Chair Fellows will open in the summer of 2025.

Celebrating 7 Years of Devon DeShields at BRAF! 🎉 Devon DeShields, our dedicated Director of Human Resources, is celebrating an incredible 7-year work anniversary at BRAF! Her leadership and commitment to our team help make BRAF a great place to work, and we’re grateful for all she does. When she’s not keeping things running smoothly, you can find Devon at a local coffee shop fueling her love for coffee or planning her next travel adventure. ☕✈️ Join us in congratulating Devon on this amazing milestone!