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Huey And Angelina Wilson Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.2M
Grant Range
$2K - $1.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,163,100 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; EMPOWER decisions announced in early May
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: 10-parish Greater Baton Rouge area, Louisiana
  • Total Assets: $145.6 million (2023)
  • Years of Grantmaking: 25 years (since 2000)
  • Total Invested: $94.8 million
  • Organizations Funded: 336 to date

Contact Details

Address: 4463 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Phone: 225-292-1344

Website: hawilsonfoundation.org

Key Staff Contacts:

Overview

The Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation was established in 1986 and began grantmaking in 2000, focusing on enhancing the lives of people in Louisiana, particularly the Greater Baton Rouge area. Founded by Huey and Angelina Wilson—described as "very modest people who lived in the same house in Sherwood Forest for 50 years" despite building the largest business headquartered in Baton Rouge at the time—the foundation maintains a deep commitment to serving society's most vulnerable populations.

With total assets of $145.6 million and annual giving of approximately $7.2 million, the foundation operates through three strategic pillars: EMPOWER (place-based initiatives), ENGAGE (people-centered initiatives), and EQUIP (capacity building). Over 25 years, the foundation has invested $94.8 million across 336 organizations in the Greater Baton Rouge region. The foundation focuses on addressing underlying causes of social and economic problems affecting the sick and disabled, the indigent, and the formerly incarcerated. In 2023, the foundation made 102 grants with a median award of $50,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

EMPOWER Program (Place-Based Initiatives)

  • Focus: Investments in underresourced neighborhoods in six North Baton Rouge ZIP codes (70802, 70805, 70806, 70807, 70811, 70812) serving 124,000+ residents
  • Priority given to: Projects directly in the 70802 ZIP code
  • Application: Two-step process (Letter of Intent, then full application if invited)
  • Typical Range: Not specified, but includes both program and capital grants
  • Timeline: LOI opens February; full applications due late February; awards announced early May

ENGAGE Program (People-Centered Initiatives)

  • Focus: Programs serving ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) populations and formerly incarcerated individuals across the 10-parish region
  • Grant Range: $50,000 - $100,000 per year anticipated; applicants may request more or less
  • Duration: Three-year funding commitments with annual disbursements tied to progress
  • Application: Online portal, fixed deadline
  • Geographic Coverage: 10-parish Capital Region (Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana)

EQUIP Program (Capacity Building)

  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute: 12-month intensive program in partnership with Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits
  • Strategic Mission Grants: For organizations whose programs may no longer align with refined focus areas but continue serving essential community needs
  • Application: Letter of Intent system

Priority Areas

Four Focus Areas:

  1. Human Services (73% of historical funding)

    • Preventing hunger, drug abuse, and societal difficulties
    • Supporting individuals experiencing homelessness
    • Addressing addiction and mental health challenges
    • Supporting ALICE families (earning above poverty level but unable to afford basic expenses)

  2. Healthcare (7% of historical funding)

    • Providing care to the working poor and uninsured
    • Increasing primary healthcare utilization by ALICE families
    • Recent major investment: $1 million for Capitol City Family Health Center senior geriatric health center construction

  3. Education (19% of historical funding)

    • Improving the education system
    • Literacy programs
    • STEM education
    • Establishing neighborhood supports for student achievement

  4. Prison Reentry (1% of historical funding)

    • Supporting organizations that reduce reintegration barriers
    • Increasing successful reintegration for people returning home from incarceration

EMPOWER-Specific Priority Areas:

  • Housing (creating and preserving housing at various income levels)
  • Education (neighborhood supports for student achievement)
  • Community Wellness (access to healthy facilities and services)
  • Economic Vitality (employment and small business growth)

ENGAGE-Specific Goals:

  • Increase financial resiliency and long-term stability of ALICE families
  • Increase primary healthcare utilization by ALICE families
  • Increase successful reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in detail, the foundation:

  • Does not typically fund one-time events (summits, conferences) unless paired with ongoing programming that achieves lasting behavioral change
  • Prioritizes programs serving the 10-parish Greater Baton Rouge region (statewide policy reform initiatives may be exceptions)
  • Requires participants to reside in the Capital Area and meet income/incarceration criteria for ENGAGE grants

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • Daniel J. Bevan (former President, now Trustee)
  • J. H. Campbell, Jr.
  • Perry J. Franklin
  • J. Gerard Jolly
  • Renee G. Joyal, Ph.D.
  • Cornelius Lewis
  • George "Rolfe" Miller
  • Donna M. Saurage

Staff Leadership

  • David M. Beach, President & CEO
  • Jan S. Ross, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy
  • Tristi Charpentier, Vice President, People-Centered Initiatives (serves on Louisiana ALICE Research Advisory Council)
  • Ebony Starks, Vice President, Place-Based Initiatives
  • Sue Ellen Hill, Executive Assistant

Leadership Philosophy

Jan S. Ross on their funding approach: "We work with our grantees so that the money we give to organizations can be used to bolster projects in tandem with attracting community involvement. We can fund projects, but it's important to keep in mind that we won't always be there. Organizations need the support of the broader community—that's what will continue to strengthen them through time."

This quote reflects the foundation's emphasis on building sustainable organizations that don't rely solely on foundation funding but develop broader community support for long-term viability.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

EMPOWER Program:

  1. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) when application opens in February
  2. If invited, submit full application
  3. LOI opens: February 2
  4. Full applications due: February 27
  5. Awards announced: Early May

ENGAGE Program:

  1. Review Program Guidelines and application questions
  2. Attend optional Technical Assistance sessions (recommended for first-time applicants and those requesting >$100k annually)
  3. Submit application through online portal (BBGM/YourCause Grants)
  4. Applications open: August
  5. Deadline: Fourth Friday in August

EQUIP Program:

  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute: Applications open June 25
  • Strategic Mission Grants: Letters of Intent open June 9; LOI deadline June 27

Technical Assistance: The foundation offers 30-minute virtual TA sessions for applicants needing guidance on program alignment, first-time applications, or requests exceeding $100,000 annually.

Application Portal: The foundation uses an online grants management system. Note that their legacy portal sunset in August 2025.

Decision Timeline

  • EMPOWER: Awards announced in early May (approximately 2 months after full application deadline)
  • ENGAGE: Timeline not publicly specified
  • EQUIP: Timeline not publicly specified

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates. However, recent grantmaking activity shows:

  • 102 grants awarded in 2023
  • 107 grants awarded in 2022
  • 139 grants awarded in 2021
  • 164 grants awarded in 2020

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly specify a formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Given their welcoming approach to communication (they state "we appreciate every opportunity to visit and learn with you"), applicants are encouraged to contact foundation staff to discuss future applications.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

1. Resident-Centered Approach (EMPOWER) Organizations must demonstrate they are prioritizing resident voice and implementing projects "with" rather than "to" the community they serve. This is a critical distinguishing factor.

2. SMART Goals The foundation requires applicants to use the SMART methodology (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with three-year overall goals and annual milestones. This structured approach helps applicants "set goals they can actually follow through on because the goals are structured and purposeful."

3. Realistic Participant Projections Base participant numbers on historical data and account for barriers participants face. The foundation values realistic success rates within grant periods rather than inflated projections.

4. Demonstrated Evaluation Capacity Organizations must show they have "appropriate evaluation measures in place" to track outcomes and demonstrate program effectiveness.

5. Sustainability Beyond Foundation Funding As Jan Ross emphasized, organizations must show potential for attracting broader community involvement and support. The foundation sees its role as bolstering projects, not creating permanent dependency.

6. Addressing Underlying Causes The foundation seeks organizations "that strive to address the underlying causes of social and economic problems," not just treating symptoms.

7. Cost-Effectiveness The foundation evaluates proposals based on "cost-effectiveness relative to human gain," seeking maximum impact per dollar invested.

8. Organizational Capacity Applications are assessed on organizational capacity, key personnel qualifications, and the likelihood of achieving stated goals.

9. Collaboration Potential The foundation values cross-sector collaboration and partnerships, particularly for systemic change initiatives.

Grant Types That Succeed

Based on 2024 awards, successful projects included:

  • Infrastructure improvements ($1 million for health center construction)
  • Place-based collaboration ($300,000 for EnvisioNBR)
  • Capacity building ($175,000 for Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits)
  • Housing programs (multiple Habitat for Humanity grants totaling $480,000)
  • Food security, behavioral health, reentry services, STEM education, and literacy programs

Application Tips from the Foundation

For Systems Change Projects: Demonstrate how you'll move system actors to make policy or practice changes

For Capacity and Collaboration Building: Show how you'll move multiple organizations in the same direction

One-Time Events: Typically don't qualify unless paired with ongoing programming that achieves lasting behavioral change

Financial Requirements: Organizations with annual revenue over $250,000 must provide audited financial statements; smaller organizations need a Board Chair letter explaining audit status

Funding Requests: For ENGAGE, request three years of funding (most grants $50,000-$100,000 annually, though more or less can be requested)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Demonstrate community engagement: Show how residents/participants have voice in program design and implementation—projects should be "with" not "to" the community
  • Think sustainability: Articulate how your organization will build broader community support beyond foundation funding; they want to bolster, not create dependency
  • Use SMART goals: Structure your proposal with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives with three-year goals and annual milestones
  • Be realistic about outcomes: Base participant numbers and success projections on historical data; the foundation values honest assessment over inflated promises
  • Address root causes: Focus on underlying causes of social and economic problems, not just treating symptoms
  • Consider multi-year requests: ENGAGE grants are structured as three-year commitments with annual disbursements tied to progress—plan accordingly
  • Engage early with staff: The foundation welcomes questions and conversations before formal applications; use Technical Assistance sessions for first-time applicants or requests over $100,000
  • Know your fit: Align clearly with one of the three pillars (EMPOWER for place-based work in six North Baton Rouge ZIP codes; ENGAGE for people-centered work with ALICE/formerly incarcerated populations; EQUIP for capacity building)

References

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