Our Story
Built on purpose,
rooted in place.
Gentricity was born from a simple conviction — that when a community rises, every woman and family in it deserves to rise with it.
"When a city transforms, its people should transform with it — not be left behind by it."
Gentricity — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Who we are and why we exist
Gentricity is a Baton Rouge-based nonprofit dedicated to equipping women and families with the tools, skills, and community they need to thrive as their neighborhoods evolve. We sit at the intersection of economic mobility, housing access, and workforce development.
We believe sustainable community change happens when the people who live there are empowered to lead it. Our programs address the root causes — not just the symptoms — of displacement and economic insecurity.
Through our for-profit arm, Railroad Refinery, earned revenue flows directly back into funding these programs, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of mission and impact.
Where we are
building momentum.
From real estate partnerships to federal housing programs, Gentricity is actively cultivating the relationships that will shape our next chapter.
NELA Realtors
ActiveWe met with the Executive Board of the Northeast Louisiana Association of Realtors to discuss a compelling mission alignment: positioning Gentricity as the designated nonprofit for closing cost and down payment awards on behalf of NELA Realtor clients.
Mark Parrish has connected with key Board members. The model being explored would operate on a per-transaction "royalty" basis — a sustainable, recurring revenue stream tied directly to homeownership in the region.
Housing & Urban Development
In ProgressHUD Secretary Scott Turner has announced a Continuum of Care opportunity specifically for nonprofits targeting the root causes of homelessness — not just housing provision. Gentricity's mission is a natural fit for this framework.
A personal outreach card is prepared for Secretary Turner, with a goal of mailing by June 30. Following Secretary Turner's work and vision on social media has been both inspiring and directionally useful as we think about how Gentricity can plug into federal priorities.
Louisiana Housing Corporation
Long-Term VisionThe most transformative opportunity on our horizon: accessing LHC tax credits to develop affordable housing in Baton Rouge. Constructing a development that is community-owned and mission-driven is the major win we are building toward.
The stepping stone is achieving CHDO designation — Community Housing Development Organization status — which opens the door to a dedicated stream of federal HOME funds and development authority through LHC.
LHC CHDO Information PortalFaith-Based Partnerships
Community RootsBaton Rouge's downtown churches — particularly First Baptist Church Downtown, a landmark institution in the region — share a deep alignment with Gentricity's mission to reach and serve the surrounding population.
We have existing relationships and shared history of service with these congregations. Faith-based partnerships offer not just resources, but trust, reach, and the kind of lasting community credibility that no marketing campaign can manufacture. We see these relationships as foundational as we grow.
Coming Soon
The Gentricity
Gala.
Years of vision, research, and heart have gone into imagining the event that will bring Baton Rouge together to celebrate and fund the work of changing lives. Two concepts are on the table — and we want your voice in the room.
A full evening with a live orchestra, open dance floor, formal dinner, and the full sweep of a classic gala. Grand, unforgettable, and open to the broader community.
An intimate, curated evening — smaller in scale, more selective, and designed to deepen relationships with our highest-impact partners and donors.