Affiliate Grants

The Affiliate Grants Program, administered by the Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA), offers competitive funding opportunities aimed at fostering local change across five parishes in Louisiana: Evangeline, Iberia, St. Landry, St. Mary, and Vermilion. This program stems from charitable funds established by individuals, families, and businesses who support CFA’s mission to create sustainable community impact. Each participating parish operates its own affiliate foundation—namely the Evangeline Affiliate Foundation, Iberia Affiliate Foundation, St. Landry Affiliate Foundation, St. Mary Affiliate Foundation, and Vermilion Affiliate Foundation—which collectively drive the grants initiative to meet localized needs through targeted, place-based philanthropy. Organizations may request up to $5,000 in funding to support projects that benefit the specific parish in which they apply. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a physical and programmatic presence in the relevant parish. Each affiliate foundation sets its own priority funding areas. For instance, common themes across parishes include community and economic development, education and youth development, health and human services, natural resources and environmental protection, and arts and culture. These priorities ensure that grants are strategically aligned with the specific challenges and opportunities unique to each community. The program supports a variety of grant types including capital grants (e.g., for building renovations or construction), equipment or material purchases, and direct service or programmatic support. Funded projects are expected to cover a one-year timeframe, and preference is given to initiatives that demonstrate strategic, inclusive, and collaborative approaches to community development. Successful applicants must show both measurable outcomes and the potential for sustainable impact beyond the grant period. The foundation encourages the participation of organizations that amplify the voices of underserved or economically diverse populations. The application process for the Affiliate Grants Program follows a two-stage format. The first round is open to all interested 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and involves submission of an eligibility form and an interest form. Organizations that pass this stage may be invited to submit a full application and provide supporting documents such as budgets. All applications must be submitted through CFA’s designated online portal. Submissions are reviewed by a panel composed of affiliate members and are formally approved by CFA’s Board of Directors. Grant decisions are based on project alignment with affiliate priorities, community impact, the strength of the application, and the availability of funds. For 2026, the application window opened on March 17 and will close on May 14. All first-round materials must be submitted by this deadline for consideration. Final notifications and grant disbursements are expected to occur in September 2026. While the application process is competitive, applicants are encouraged to engage with CFA staff or affiliate board members before submission to ensure strong alignment and eligibility. Additionally, all grant recipients are required to submit a year-end report detailing expenditure and outcomes achieved relative to their initial goals. For inquiries related to the Affiliate Grants Program, applicants can contact Chasah West, Director of External Affairs & Communications, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (337) 769-4840. A comprehensive set of grant guidelines is also available in PDF format on CFA’s official website, outlining application components, review criteria, and evaluation expectations.

Projects should cover 1 year, align with affiliate priorities, and show measurable outcomes. Preference given to those with local presence and sustainable community impact.