Peltier Foundation

## Approach Strategy

The Peltier Foundation operates as a tightly community-rooted private foundation focused exclusively on Thibodaux and Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. Founded in 1998 through an endowment from Richard Peltier, the foundation is guided by an all-volunteer board of three: President Stephen Peltier, Vice President Sarah Naquin, and Secretary/Treasurer Jeanne P. Chiasson — none of whom draw compensation. This lean governance structure signals a relationship-driven grantmaking culture where personal connection and community visibility matter enormously.

The foundation does not publish formal RFPs, open grant cycles, or online application portals. There is no stated deadline and no application form listed on their website. This is a "relationship before paperwork" funder: organizations that are already known and trusted in the Thibodaux community — especially Catholic institutions and Nicholls State University — have a clear structural advantage. Cold outreach via their contact form is the recommended entry point for new applicants, followed by relationship cultivation before any formal ask.

Strategy for new applicants: (1) Establish local presence or a Lafourche Parish partner before approaching. (2) Frame the request around Catholic values, education, or youth development. (3) Request a meeting or phone call before submitting anything written. (4) Keep the initial ask modest and build toward a larger multi-year commitment. The foundation's history with Nicholls State — now exceeding $3 million — demonstrates a preference for deep, sustained partnerships over one-time grants.

## Funding Patterns

The Peltier Foundation disburses approximately $825,000–$970,000 in charitable grants annually, representing roughly 80–90% of total annual expenses. The foundation's assets have held steady between $15.7 million and $17.6 million over the past decade, indicating a disciplined spend-down rate balanced against investment returns.

Annual grant totals from IRS 990 filings: - FY 2024: $883,299 in charitable disbursements - FY 2023: $828,450 total grants - FY 2022: $906,909 total grants - FY 2021: $825,022 total grants - FY 2014: $969,400 (a high-water year per historical records)

Revenue is entirely investment-based: dividends (44%), interest income (20%), asset sales (16%), and other income (20%). No contributions are accepted, meaning the foundation is entirely self-sufficient and not subject to donor influence. Officer compensation is $0 across all years — all leadership volunteers.

Grant sizing: Individual award amounts are not publicly disclosed, but known grants include: $50,000 to Nicholls State for Hurricane Ida relief (2021), $75,000+ to the Nicholls Alumni Legacy Scholarship program (since 2016), and cumulative gifts exceeding $3 million to Nicholls for capital projects (culinary arts building, theater, sports complex, dormitory). Individual scholarship awards are $500/semester ($1,000 max). The distribution suggests the foundation makes a small number of large, multi-year institutional commitments rather than many small awards.

Focus breakdown (inferred from all available sources): Education (~50%), Catholic/religious organizations (~35%), sports and recreation/community (~15%).

## Peer Comparison

The Peltier Foundation ($16.8M assets, ~$883K annual giving) sits in the mid-range of Louisiana private foundations — significantly smaller than the state's major community foundations but comparable in size to other single-family foundations focused on specific metro areas.

Key differentiators vs. peers: - Hyperlocal scope: Unlike the major community foundations (BRAF, GNOF, CFA), the Peltier Foundation serves a single parish. This dramatically narrows eligibility but also reduces competition for Lafourche-area nonprofits. - Values alignment requirement: Catholic faith is an explicit pillar — not typical for secular community foundations in the state. Applicants without a faith-based or faith-friendly mission face a higher bar. - No staff, no formal process: Major peer foundations have professional program staff, published guidelines, and competitive review cycles. Peltier's volunteer-only model means approvals are more discretionary and relationship-driven. - Closest peer: Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux) shares the same geography and Catholic identity, but operates differently as a diocesan endowment manager rather than a direct grantmaker.

## Recent Activity

The Peltier Foundation has maintained a consistent and active grant-making posture through at least FY 2024, disbursing $883,299 in charitable grants — tracking near its three-year average of approximately $872,000/year. No significant change in scope or strategy has been publicly announced.

Notable recent grants and activities: - 2021: $50,000 emergency grant to Nicholls State University for Hurricane Ida recovery, providing gift cards to affected students. This grant demonstrated the foundation's willingness to deploy rapid-response funding in local disasters. - 2019–present: Continued funding of the Peltier Foundation Nicholls Alumni Legacy Scholarship; $75,000 committed since 2016 with multiple student recipients annually. - Ongoing (decades): $3M+ cumulative investment in Nicholls State physical infrastructure: Peltier Hall, Lanny D. Ledet Culinary Arts Building, Mary and Al Danos Theater, Nicholls Soccer Complex, Stopher Gym, and Nicholls Online program. - 2017: Nicholls Alumni Federation awarded the foundation its Corporate Mark of Honor for sustained philanthropy.

The foundation's website (peltierfoundation.org, built on Wix) is active and maintained, with a contact form for inquiries. The volunteer leadership team — Stephen Peltier, Sarah Naquin, and Jeanne P. Chiasson — appears stable with no recent leadership transitions noted. The foundation continues to focus entirely within the Thibodaux/Lafourche Parish footprint with no announced geographic expansion.

Financial position remains strong: $16.8M in assets against $370 in total liabilities (an essentially debt-free balance sheet), with annual revenue of $1.08M from investments slightly exceeding expenses of $1.05M.

## Application Tips

1. Establish local presence first. The Peltier Foundation has no formal application process and no published deadlines — it operates on relationships. Organizations based outside Lafourche Parish should establish a local partner, satellite office, or demonstrate clear community impact in the area before approaching the foundation.

2. Align with Catholic values explicitly. The foundation's mission explicitly names the Catholic faith as a core value. Proposals should acknowledge this alignment where authentic. Religious organizations and Catholic institutions carry a structural advantage; secular nonprofits should frame their work in terms of community, family, and moral values consistent with the foundation's ethos.

3. Lead with education impact. Education is the foundation's dominant focus area, evidenced by decades of investment in Nicholls State. Proposals connected to K-12 schools, higher education access, youth development, or skill-building have the strongest fit.

4. Make contact before submitting anything. Phone: (985) 447-4033. Address: 101 St. Louis St., Thibodaux, LA 70301-3027. Use the contact form at peltierfoundation.org. Request an introductory call or meeting with Stephen Peltier (President) or another board member before sending any written proposal.

5. Think long-term, not one-time. The foundation's signature relationship is with Nicholls State University — a 25+ year, $3M+ partnership. They favor sustained investment over single grants. Pitch a multi-year vision, even if the initial ask is modest ($25,000–$75,000).

6. Sports, athletics, and recreation projects have precedent. The foundation's funding of the Nicholls Soccer Complex and Stopher Gym signals openness to athletics and physical education investments alongside academic ones.

7. Disaster and emergency relief is in scope. The 2021 Ida response confirms the foundation will mobilize for local crisis. Organizations with emergency preparedness or recovery missions may find receptivity after Gulf Coast weather events.

8. Do not expect a competitive grant cycle. There is no open grant competition. Budget for a longer cultivation timeline (6–18 months) from first contact to a funded grant.