Watch: Lucas Spielfogel named John W. Barton Sr. Excellence in Nonprofit Management awardee

Coming on the heels of multiple “Best Place to Work in Baton Rouge” wins, BRYC’s executive director is being recognized for 13 years of service to EBR’s youth. Among Lucas’ many achievements are increasing the numbers of Fellows BRYC serves by over 900% and launching an in-school program in partnership with the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board that is primed to serve over 1,200 students in the 2025–2026 school year.

Recipients of the Barton Award are nominated by BRAF donors and selected by former Foundation chairs. On March 18, 2025, BRAF presented Lucas and Libbie Sonnier of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children with the Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award, while former BRYC team member and volunteer Pheriche Perkins was named a Rising Star in nonprofit management for her work as executive director of the Point Coupee Early Childhood Coalition.

About BRAF: Among the largest community foundations in the country, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in greater Baton Rouge and across south Louisiana. The Foundation pursues its mission by serving donors to build the assets that drive initiatives and solutions, supporting local nonprofits with strategic consulting to ensure overall impact and sustainability, engaging community leaders to develop appropriate responses to emerging opportunities and challenges, and by partnering with others to leverage collective resources and create the capacity to be a stimulus of positive regional change.