Patrick F. Taylor Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,888,580 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Varies widely - from $10,000 to multi-million dollar commitments
• Geographic Focus: Louisiana (primary), United States (secondary)

Contact Details

• Website: www.pftaylorfoundation.org
• Phone: 504-589-0555
• Email: Contact through website form at www.pftaylorfoundation.org/contact
• Address: 612 Andrew Higgins Dr, New Orleans, LA 70130-3930

Overview

The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation, established in 1985 by oilman Patrick F. Taylor and his wife Phyllis M. Taylor, serves as the charitable extension of Taylor Energy Company. With total assets of approximately $44 million, the foundation has distributed over $85 million to more than 500 organizations over 37 years. The foundation seeks to enable individuals to realize their full potential by promoting education, equal opportunities, and free enterprise values. Their strategic approach focuses on "seeding innovative ideas" and targeting giving to demonstrate proof of concept for projects that can be brought to scale to deliver transformative change. Following Patrick Taylor's death in 2004, Phyllis M. Taylor continues as Chairman and President, maintaining the foundation's commitment to education and community development, particularly in Louisiana.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• STEM Education Initiatives: Funding for Phyllis M. Taylor Maker Spaces providing access to advanced technology
• Medical Education: Patrick F. Taylor Primary Care Scholar Program at LSUHSC for medical students
• Taylor Scholars Awards Program: $900,000+ dedicated to student access to cultural institutions
• Environmental Research: $3.1 million commitment to LSU AgCenter Nitrogen Reduction Project
• General Education Grants: Support for K-12 and higher education institutions
• Community Support: Funding for food banks, healthcare, and humanitarian services

Priority Areas

• Education at all levels (primary focus)
• STEM education and innovation
• Arts and culture
• Environmental conservation and sustainability
• Healthcare and medical education
• Community development and humanitarian services
• Support for law enforcement and armed forces

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the foundation appears to focus exclusively on projects that:

• Align with education, equal opportunity, and free enterprise values
• Demonstrate scalability and proof of concept potential
• Create transformative, broad-based impact

Governance and Leadership

Chairman and President: Phyllis M. Taylor (also Chairman and CEO of Taylor Energy Company)

Board of Trustees includes:

• Raymond J. Jeandron, Jr. - CPA, retired Tax Partner with KPMG LLP
• Mr. Pecue - President of Taylor Energy Company LLC
• Additional trustees serve without compensation

The foundation was founded by Patrick F. Taylor (1937-2004), a self-made billionaire and education advocate who created the TOPS scholarship program in Louisiana. His philosophy of education as the path to opportunity continues to guide the foundation's mission.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation indicates they "may consider proposals from charitable and humanitarian organizations that share their objectives." There is no formal public application process with set deadlines. Organizations should submit inquiries through the contact form at www.pftaylorfoundation.org/contact.

Note: The foundation is currently re-evaluating its scholarship program and is not accepting scholarship applications for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. Decision timelines likely vary based on the scope and nature of the request.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 100 grants totaling $3,888,580 in 2023. Success rates are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No information available regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and grant history:

• Demonstrate proof of concept potential: The foundation explicitly seeks projects that can demonstrate viability for broader implementation
• Show scalability: Projects should have potential to be brought to scale beyond initial implementation
• Create transformative impact: Focus on initiatives that deliver broad-based change rather than limited benefit
• Align with core values: Proposals must clearly support education, equal opportunity, or free enterprise
• Louisiana connection: While not required, Louisiana-based organizations or those serving Louisiana communities appear to have an advantage
• Innovation in approach: The foundation's support for maker spaces, LIGO program, and cutting-edge research shows preference for innovative solutions
• Partnership potential: Many successful grants involve collaborations between institutions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation operates more as a strategic philanthropist than a traditional grantmaker, focusing on "seeding innovative ideas" with proof of concept potential
• There is no formal application process - relationship building and direct contact through their website is essential
• Louisiana connections significantly strengthen proposals, though national projects are considered
• Education remains the primary focus, but the foundation interprets this broadly to include STEM, arts, environmental education, and workforce development
• Multi-year, transformative commitments are possible for the right projects (as evidenced by the $3.1 million LSU AgCenter grant)
• The foundation values projects that can serve as models for replication elsewhere
• Trustees and leadership do not receive compensation, indicating all resources go directly to charitable purposes

References

1. Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Official Website - www.pftaylorfoundation.org (accessed February 24, 2026)
2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Form 990-PF filings (November 2024, 2023, 2022)
3. Cause IQ Foundation Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/patrick-f-taylor-foundation,581686754/ (accessed February 24, 2026)
4. University of New Orleans News - "$100,000 from Patrick F. Taylor Foundation to Fund Scholarships and Emergency Grants" (July 12, 2024)
5. LSU AgCenter - "LSU AgCenter receives $1.4 million from Patrick F. Taylor Foundation for nutrient runoff research" (accessed February 24, 2026)
6. Candid Foundation Directory - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=TAYL066 (accessed February 24, 2026)
7. GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/58-1686754 (accessed February 24, 2026)
8. Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/patrick-f-taylor-foundation (accessed February 24, 2026)