Our History

In 2000, after several years of discussion and inevitability, community leaders concluded that the time was right for a new charitable foundation in Acadiana – one that could serve a broad spectrum of potential donors with diverse gift-giving interests and afford a broader pool of donors an opportunity to create a legacy for themselves and their families.  The Foundation should not be exclusive to Lafayette, but should serve the broader, eight-parish area commonly known as ‘Acadiana’ including Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion Parishes.  Because the organization lacked an immediate corpus and funds for start-up expenses, a logical and practical solution was to have another organization ‘incubate’ the Foundation.  United Way of Acadiana provided office space, infrastructure, staff, and immediate operational dollars for this separate entity.  Thus was established The Legacy Foundation of Acadiana.  To better encapsulate the purpose of the Foundation, the name was later changed to Community Foundation of Acadiana.

In short-order, Community Foundation of Acadiana has demonstrated its ability to satisfy the charitable needs of the community AND the charitable objectives of its donors.  Its prospects are quite promising and it is poised to be the premier community-based philanthropic organization in the region.  This can be attributed to the foresight and commitment of the leadership of the Foundation in creating an innovative approach to community philanthropy without losing our focus on the donors.

Community Foundation of Acadiana is YOUR Foundation – For Good.  For Acadiana.  For Ever.

Timeline

2000

  • November 20, 2000 – The Legacy Foundation of Acadiana is incorporated.
  • December 21, 2000 – Hank and Debbie Perret made the first gift to the Foundation.
  • Charter Members of the Board of Directors included Elaine D. Abell (Secretary/Treasurer), Kathy Ashworth, Odon Bacque, Barry F. Berthelot (Vice-Chairman), Gerald Boudreaux, Roland Dugas, Mike Hamner, Mike Hollier, Michael J. Michot, Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Hank Perret, Jim Prince (Investment Committee Chairman), Rae Robinson (Grant/Gift Acceptance Committee Chair), Gail Romero, Robert E. Trahan (Chairman). 
  • December, 2000 – Raymond J. Hébert is hired as Executive Director

2001

  • Board of Directors included Elaine D. Abell (Secretary/Treasurer), Kathy Ashworth, Odon Bacque, Barry F. Berthelot (Vice-Chairman), Gerald Boudreaux, Roland Dugas, Mike Hamner, Mike Hollier, Michael J. Michot, Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Hank Perret, Jim Prince (Investment Committee Chairman), Rae Robinson (Grants/Gift Acceptance Committee Chair), Gail Romero, Robert E. Trahan (Chairman).
  • The first Agency Endowment Fund is established – Miles Perret Center Endowment Fund
  • The first Donor-Advised Fund is established – The Master’s Fund
  • The first gift of closely-held stock is received.
  • Assets total $226,027.00

2002

  • The legal name of the Foundation is changed to Community Foundation of Acadiana.
  • Board of Directors included Elaine D. Abell (Secretary/Treasurer), Kathy Ashworth, Odon Bacque, Barry F. Berthelot (Vice-Chairman), Gerald Boudreaux, David T. Calhoun, Mike Hamner, Mike Hollier, Michael J. Michot, Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Hank Perret, Jim Prince (Investment Committee Chairman), Rae Robinson (Grants/Gift Acceptance Committee Chair), Gail Romero, Robert E. Trahan (Chairman).
  • John G. Davies, President & CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, conducts our first Board Retreat
  • Founders Society is established.  This exclusive group of donors makes a three-year commitment to provide operating dollars for the Foundation.
  • The first Legacy Fund (Planned Gift) is established (The Robert & Coni Trahan Fund for the benefit of United Way of Acadiana)
  • The Foundation receives its first gift of real estate (Ascension Day School Preschool at River Ranch)
  • Assets total $1,273,224.00, exceeding $1 million for the first time.

2003

  • Board of Directors included Elaine D. Abell (Secretary/Treasurer), Kathy Ashworth, Odon Bacque, Barry F. Berthelot (Vice-Chairman), Gerald Boudreaux, David T. Calhoun, W.J. “Tony” Gordon, III, Janet Morein Wood (Investment Committee Chair), Michael J. Michot, Kevin Moody, Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Hank Perret, Rae Robinson (Grants/Gift Acceptance Committee Chair), Gail Romero, Robert E. Trahan (Chairman).
  • The first Corporate Charitable Fund is established – Women’s and Children’s Hospital Fund.
  • Through the generosity of the Moody Company, the Foundation moves to FNB Towers on Jefferson Street (Downtown).
  • Founders Society is closed to new donors; the Foundation announces that over $1.1 million in commitments were secured to support the Foundation in its infancy.
  • Assets total $2,297,073.00
  • Grants total $131,792.00

2004

  • Board of Directors included Elaine D. Abell (Secretary/Treasurer), Kathy Ashworth, Odon Bacque, Barry F. Berthelot (Vice-Chairman), David T. Calhoun, Ernest Freyou, W.J. “Tony” Gordon, III, Leonard K. Lemoine, Janet Morein Wood (Investment Committee Chair), Michael J. Michot, Kevin Moody, Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Hank Perret, Rae Robinson (Grants/Gift Acceptance Committee Chair), Gail Romero, Robert E. Trahan (Chairman), E. Warner Veillon.
  • Ascension Day School Preschool is completed – a facility owned by the Foundation.
  • The Foundation adds two part-time staff – Miriam Kolwe, Financial Administrator and Marilyn Lee, Donor Relations Administrator.
  • The first Scholarship Fund is established – Jack Shirley Memorial Scholarship Fund.
  • The first Designated Fund is established – Lafayette Community Health Care Endowment Fund.
  • The first multi-million dollar gift is received (Anonymous)
  • Assets total $9,212,495.00
  • Grants total $580,513.00

2005

  • Board of Directors included Elaine D. Abell (Vice-Chair), Kathy Ashworth, Odon Bacque, Barry F. Berthelot (Chairman), David T. Calhoun (Board and Resource Development Committee Chairman), Ernest Freyou (Legal & Financial Affairs Committee), W.J. “Tony” Gordon, III, Leonard K. Lemoine (Secretary/Treasurer), Janet Morein Wood (Investment Committee Chair), Michael J. Michot, Kevin Moody, Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Raymond H. Pellerin, Hank Perret, Rae Robinson (Civic Leadership Committee Chair), Gail Romero, Robert E. Trahan (Immediate Past Chairman), E. Warner Veillon.
  • Because of its growth, the Foundation moves to a larger suite at FNB Towers.
  • The Foundation adds another full-time position to staff – Lisa G. Puckett, Office Administrator and Executive Assistant.
  • The first memorial fund is established – William O. Stutes and Marie Alleman Stutes Fund for the benefit of Lafayette Association for Retarded Citizens (LARC).
  • Because of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, several hurricane relief funds are established by various donors.
  • The first fund for the benefit of a public school is established – Math, Arts, Science & Technology Academy at N.P. Moss School Fund.
  • The first Unrestricted Fund is established at the Foundation (David T. and Anne S. Calhoun Fund)
  • Louisiana Real Estate Foundation is established as a supporting organization to receive gifts of real estate and other unusual gifts.
  • Assets exceed $12 million
  • Grants exceed $1.9 million

2006

  • Board of Directors included Elaine D. Abell (Vice-Chair), Kathy Ashworth, Odon Bacque, Barry F. Berthelot (Chairman), David T. Calhoun (Board and Resource Development Committee Chairman), Ernest Freyou (Legal & Financial Affairs Committee), Michael DeHart, Leonard K. Lemoine (Secretary/Treasurer), Janet Morein Wood (Investment Committee Chair), Michael J. Michot, Kevin Moody, Frank X. Neuner, Jr., Raymond H. Pellerin, Hank Perret, Rae Robinson (Civic Leadership Committee Chair), Gail Romero, Robert E. Trahan (Immediate Past Chairman), E. Warner Veillon.
  • Because of continued growth, the Foundation moves to yet a larger suite at FNB Towers.

 
We’re YOUR Foundation – For Good. For Acadiana. For Ever.
P.O. Box 3892 -- Lafayette, LA 70502-3892 -- (337) 266-2145