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Trusted. Local. Focused on Impact.

How We Help

Community Foundation of Acadiana is a grant making public charity that is dedicated to improving the lives of people in Acadiana and beyond. The Foundation is independently audited and monitored by its finance committee and Board of Directors.

Our Benefits

Why Give Through Community Foundation of Acadiana?

  • Maximum tax advantages
  • Opening a fund is easy
  • Meet with you to determine which type of fund is right for your philanthropic goals
  • Help you grow your funds
  • Assist you with giving complex gifts
  • Offer expertise on community needs
  • Preserve your wishes in perpetuity
  • Provide regular statements on your fund activity
  • Offer efficiency through administrative services

Contact Us

To learn more about how you can build your charitable and philanthropic legacy by establishing your named Fund, please complete our form.

Start a Fund

You can also call our VP, Philanthropy Nicole Jones, at (337) 769-4848.

Browse Available Options

Type of Funds

Permanent or Non-Permanent Fund

The first decision a donor makes in establishing a fund at CFA is whether the fund is to be permanent or non-permanent. A permanent gift whereby the principal is invested and preserved ensuring the donor’s long-term intent of its use. The gift is invested and annually a portion of the earnings is available to be granted to the philanthropic causes defined by the donor. A non-permanent fund allows you to use the principal donated and any earnings to benefit the philanthropic causes defined by the donor.

Donor Advised Fund

A charitable savings account, this option is our most popular and makes giving easy. Individuals, families or companies can make tax-deductible contributions at any time. Grants are then made to any number of US 501(c)(3) nonprofits, churches, schools or public entities at the discretion of the donor(s).

Designated and Agency Fund

These Funds benefit a non-profit organization the donor supports. Donors name the designated organization(s) that will benefit from this Fund. A nonprofit can also establish this type of Fund to support its own charitable mission, ensure continuity of its programs and meet emergencies and financial deficits.

Designated and Agency Fund

These Funds benefit a non-profit organization the donor supports. Donors name the designated organization(s) that will benefit from this Fund. A nonprofit can also establish this type of Fund to support its own charitable mission, ensure continuity of its programs and meet emergencies and financial deficits.

Scholarship Fund

These Funds provide assistance to students at any education level or for a specific institution. They can also be established to honor a loved one. Scholarship awards are granted to the student and designated entity per purpose and criteria.

Permanent Discretionary Fund

From these Funds, the CFA Board of Directors award grants to organizations that meet emerging needs and opportunities in the communities we serve. These Funds are the most timeless in terms of community impact.

Legacy Fund

A donor can establish a Fund with CFA to be funded with a future “planned gift.” The most popular planned gift is a simple bequest, via will. Other planned gifts include charitable remainder trusts or charitable lead trusts, gifts of remainder interest in a home or real estate, life insurance proceeds and life estates. Today, the donor determines the type of Fund and its future beneficiaries. This is a simple and powerful vehicle to create a legacy for oneself and one’s family.

Other Planned Gifts

Other planned gifts include charitable remainder trusts or charitable lead trusts, gifts of remainder interest in a home or real estate, life insurance proceeds and life estates. Today, the donor determines the type of Fund and its future beneficiaries. This is a simple and powerful vehicle to create a legacy for oneself and one’s family.

Several types of deferred giving arrangements can be established that help donors who, with generous forethought, want to combine their philanthropic goals with their estate planning.

The dollars in your “charitable giving vehicle” can then be granted to any U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, church, or school – in your parish, community, and/or anywhere in the country – any time. You can also choose to add to the Fund any time, any year, to take advantage of the charitable tax deduction. You can make your own choices or take advantage of our staff’s expertise to help you address your community’s most pressing challenges.