← Back to US Funders Directory

Community Foundation of Acadiana

Annual Giving
$13.9M
Grant Range
$5K - $1.3M
Decision Time
5mo

Community Foundation of Acadiana

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $13.9 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 4-5 months for Affiliate Grants
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,349,000
  • Geographic Focus: 8 parishes in South Louisiana

Contact Details

Address: 1035 Camellia Boulevard, Suite 100, Lafayette, LA 70508
Phone: (337) 769-4840
Fax: (337) 769-4879
Website: www.cfacadiana.org
Program Contact: Chasah West - cwest@cfacadiana.org (Affiliate Grants)

Overview

Established in 2000, the Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA) serves as the primary philanthropic organization for South Louisiana, managing assets of $168.3 million and distributing $13.9 million annually through 292 grants. With cumulative grants exceeding $174 million since inception, CFA has received over $336 million in total gifts. The foundation exists to serve people who care deeply about making life better in South Louisiana, believing that "generosity has the power to shape communities and transform futures."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Affiliate Grants Program: Up to $5,000 (parish-specific funding for Evangeline, Iberia, St. Mary, St. Landry, and Vermilion parishes)
  • General Grant Programs: $5,025 - $1,349,000 (various donor-advised and field-of-interest funds)
  • Total Awards: 292 grants awarded in 2023

Priority Areas

  • Education and Youth Development
  • Health and Human Services
  • Arts and Culture
  • Community Development
  • Philanthropy and Voluntarism
  • Creative, inclusive, and strategic initiatives with measurable outcomes
  • Projects enhancing access for underserved populations

What They Don't Fund

  • Endowments
  • Individual grants
  • Ongoing operating expenses
  • Political candidates or campaigns
  • Retroactive/completed projects
  • Sponsorships

Governance and Leadership

Current Chair: Clay Darnall
Past Chair: Jason Freyou
Director: Jim Doyle

The foundation is governed by a regional Board of Directors composed of thoughtful, civic-minded individuals who reflect the eight parishes served by CFA.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through a two-phase process:

  1. First Round: Submit Eligibility Form and Interest Form
  2. Second Round: Invited applicants submit full proposals with detailed project plans, budgets, and impact assessments

Decision Timeline

Affiliate Grants Program Timeline (2025 cycle closed, 2026 opening):

  • First-Round Application Deadline: May 14
  • Second-Round Application Period: June 25 - July 25
  • Notification and Disbursement: September
  • Total Process: Approximately 4-5 months

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can only submit one project per application cycle. Reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants not specified in available documentation.

Application Success Factors

Based on CFA's evaluation criteria, successful applications should:

  • Demonstrate clear value to local residents within the eight-parish service area
  • Show creative and inclusive approaches to community challenges
  • Present strategic initiatives with measurable outcomes and lasting impact
  • Enhance access for underserved populations
  • Include detailed project plans with realistic budgets
  • Provide clear community impact analysis with measurable goals
  • Align with parish-specific focus areas (for Affiliate Grants)
  • Submit complete documentation including mission statements, financial data, and project timelines

Applications undergo panel review by affiliate members before receiving final approval from the Board of Directors, with selections based on community value, funding availability, and overall quality and vision of the proposal.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • CFA serves exclusively eight parishes: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion - projects must be based and serve these areas
  • The foundation manages multiple funding streams ranging from small parish-specific grants ($5,000) to major awards exceeding $1 million
  • Two-phase application process requires initial eligibility screening before full proposal submission
  • Strong emphasis on measurable outcomes and lasting community impact, particularly for underserved populations
  • Reporting requirements include year-end follow-up comparing projected versus actual outcomes and expenditures
  • Only one project submission allowed per organization per cycle
  • Contact program staff (Chasah West) with questions before applying to ensure alignment with funding priorities

References

← Back to US Funders Directory