LAFAYETTE, La. — The Community Foundation of Acadiana awarded $50,000 in grants to 11 nonprofits serving Iberia Parish to support their community work.
The grants were awarded through the Iberia Affiliate Foundation, part of Community Foundation of Acadiana’s (CFA) Affiliate Grants Program. The program is supported by charitable funds that individuals, families, and businesses have established at CFA to create lasting local change in their own communities.
The grant presentation marked the culmination of the 2026 competitive grant cycle for the recipients. After a competitive process including a comprehensive review of grant proposals by Iberia Affiliate board members, awards of up to $5,000 were made.
“A competitive grants process serves as research and development for a community,” said Missy Bienvenu, CFA president and CEO. “Through a competitive grants process, organizations have had to submit detailed information about the program they want funded. It’s an educational tool for us to understand the specific needs of the community.”
Solomon House Executive Director Ellen Nora was on hand to accept a grant from the 2026 grant cycle. She also shared the impact of the grant the organization received during the previous grant cycle to provide nutritional supplements to the elderly.
“Many seniors are living on $500 a month and can only fill half of their prescriptions,” Nora said of those who rely on Solomon House’s services. “Thank you for understanding that it’s about the quality of life.”
2026 Iberia Affiliate Foundation Grant Recipients
- 232-HELP/Louisiana 211: Iberia Parish Disaster Dashboard ($5,000): Supports the creation and implementation of a disaster response dashboard to aid the Iberia Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in obtaining real-time information during emergencies.
- Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana: Beyond the Frame – Youth Film, Music, Dance, and Family Engagement Initiative ($5,000): Funds hands-on workshops for 200 youth that integrate the full spectrum of creative arts and leadership and communication development.
- Chez Hope: Iberia Shelter Food and Supplies ($5,000): Provides funds for purchasing food and essential shelter supplies for approximately 200 adults and children receiving emergency services.
- Foster the Love Louisiana: First Night Bags for Iberia Parish Foster Children ($5,000): Supports the purchase of essential items for “First Night Bags” for children entering foster care.
- Healing House: Iberia Parish School-Based Grief Support Groups ($5,000): Aids in the sustainability and expansion of its School Grief Support Program in the Iberia Parish School System.
- Iberia Homeless Shelter: Bridge to Stability Initiative ($5,000): Provides funds to purchase Bridge Kit supplies to support community outreach and the shelter’s welcoming resource center.
- Operation Warm: New Shoes for Iberia Parish Students ($5,000): Supports the purchase of brand-new shoes and two pairs of socks for 200 under-resourced children.
- Place Adoption Education Foundation: Adoption Education in Iberia Parish ($5,000): Provides funding to deliver educational presentations on modern adoption to 500-700 Iberia Parish high school students to foster empathy and prepare future leaders, parents, and professionals to support vulnerable families.
- Solomon House: Nutritional Supplements for the Elderly ($2,500): Supports the purchase of critical diabetic and nutritional support drinks for low-income seniors age 60 and above.
- The Extra Mile: Mobile Crisis Response ($5,000): Supports the marketing, technology, and trauma training to expand crisis response services to more than 800 Iberia Parish residents.
- The Unexpected Pregnancy Center: Pathways to Healthier Families ($2,500): Aids in the integration of on-site mental health counseling and STI testing into existing support programs for mothers in Iberia Parish.
About Community Foundation of Acadiana
CFA is one of South Louisiana’s premier philanthropic organizations benefiting our region, with a focus on the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Vermilion. CFA’s core purpose is to build legacies and improve communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about. Since its inception in 2000, CFA has realized cumulative gifts exceeding $431 million and has made cumulative grants of more than $256 million. You can learn more at www.cfacadiana.org.