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James P Raymond Jr Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,042,186 (2024 fiscal year)
  • Total Assets: $14.6 million
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (specific grants documented from $50,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Louisiana, particularly New Orleans area
  • Priority Focus: Educational organizations
  • Number of Grants: 23 grants awarded in 2022

Contact Details

Administrative Address:
Foundation Source
501 Silverside Road
Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: 800-839-1754

Note: The foundation is administratively based in Delaware but focuses its grantmaking in Louisiana, particularly the New Orleans area.

Overview

The James P. Raymond Jr. Foundation was established in 1997 by James P. Raymond Jr. (known as Jimmie), a successful Louisiana geologist and oil and gas entrepreneur. Tax-exempt since November 1996, the foundation has grown from modest beginnings to hold over $14.6 million in assets as of 2024. The foundation's mission centers on supporting local educational organizations, primarily in the New Orleans area where Mr. Raymond built his career. During his lifetime, Mr. Raymond was known for creating funds to assist geology students at LSU and helping pay for students to attend Jesuit High School, his alma mater. Since his passing in 2011, the foundation has continued this educational mission under the leadership of trustees Anne E. Raymond and Christine R. Hofmann, making consistent charitable disbursements that have ranged from approximately $363,000 to over $1 million annually in recent years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private independent foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. While specific grant programs are not publicly defined, documented grants include:

  • Educational Access Programs: Support for college access initiatives (e.g., $50,000 to Posse New Orleans)
  • K-12 Education: Support for schools including special education institutions
  • Higher Education: Historical support for geology students at Louisiana State University
  • Secondary Education: Historical support for Jesuit High School scholarships

Priority Areas

Based on the founder's legacy and documented giving patterns:

  • Educational organizations in Louisiana, particularly New Orleans
  • College access and success programs
  • Special education programs
  • STEM education and geology studies
  • Catholic and Jesuit education institutions
  • Programs serving underserved student populations

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation with trustee discretion, the foundation does not publicly list exclusions. However, their documented focus is exclusively on educational causes in Louisiana.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

Anne E. Raymond (President)

  • Real estate attorney
  • Active volunteer and community leader
  • Former board member and President (2014) of Louisiana Land Title Association
  • Chairs Legislative Committee since 2009
  • Annual compensation: $72,000

Christine R. Hofmann (Vice President)

  • Co-trustee with decision-making authority
  • Annual compensation: $72,000

Quote from Anne Raymond:
"Christine and I are very pleased to fund a $50,000 donation to Posse New Orleans. We love your program and look forward to learning more and watching your students' successes."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The James P. Raymond Jr. Foundation operates as a private independent foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees, Anne E. Raymond and Christine R. Hofmann.

The foundation uses Foundation Source for administrative services, which is common for private foundations that make grants based on trustee discretion rather than through open application cycles.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made by trustee discretion rather than through application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications. The foundation made 23 grants in 2022, 29 grants in 2021, and 20 grants in 2020, indicating active and consistent grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, gaining support requires:

Understanding the Foundation's Mission:
The foundation remains committed to the educational priorities established by its founder, James P. Raymond Jr. Organizations whose missions align with his legacy - particularly educational access, Louisiana-based programs, geology/STEM education, and Jesuit or Catholic education - appear most likely to receive consideration.

Connection to Founder's Values:
Mr. Raymond's background as a geologist who graduated from Jesuit High School at age 16, earned degrees from LSU, and built a successful oil and gas exploration company in south Louisiana shaped the foundation's priorities. Programs that connect to these themes - early academic achievement, Louisiana higher education, geosciences, or helping students overcome barriers to education - align with documented giving patterns.

Geographic Alignment:
Despite administrative offices in Delaware, the foundation's grantmaking focuses on Louisiana, particularly the New Orleans area where Mr. Raymond lived and worked. The trustees have explicitly stated their commitment to "support local educational organizations."

Recent Grant Example:
The foundation's $50,000 grant to Posse New Orleans demonstrates support for programs that combine educational access, college success, leadership development, and service to the New Orleans community. The trustees' enthusiasm - expressed in their quote about looking forward to "watching your students' successes" - suggests they value programs where they can see direct impact on students' lives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This is a trustee-directed private foundation that does not accept unsolicited grant proposals
  • Educational focus: Exclusively supports educational organizations, with documented emphasis on college access, special education, and Louisiana-based programs
  • Louisiana commitment: Despite Delaware registration, grantmaking centers on Louisiana, particularly New Orleans
  • Modest but steady grantmaking: With 20-29 grants annually totaling $363,000-$1,042,000, the foundation maintains consistent support for multiple organizations
  • Relationship-based: Success likely depends on connections to trustees or alignment with founder's specific interests (LSU, Jesuit education, geology/STEM, student access)
  • Well-established and growing: Assets have grown from $55,319 in 2011 to $14.6 million in 2024, suggesting capacity for continued or expanded grantmaking
  • Professional administration: Use of Foundation Source indicates professional management while maintaining family foundation character through trustee compensation and decision-making

References

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