Central Louisiana Community Impact Fund

The Central Louisiana Community Impact Fund was established in 2009 to provide financial support for high-impact projects or activities that enhance the quality of life in Central Louisiana. Administered by the Central Louisiana Community Foundation, the fund seeks to encourage philanthropic initiatives that bring meaningful and sustainable change across the twelve parishes served by the foundation. The Community Impact Award is the primary grant distributed through this fund and is awarded annually to nonprofit organizations with innovative ideas that can address significant community-wide issues. The purpose of the Community Impact Award is to support projects that demonstrate a strong likelihood of broad community impact, with benefits expected to continue beyond the funding period. The award amount varies each year and ranges between $25,000 and $100,000. Funds are intended to advance new and creative approaches that can lead to measurable improvements in Central Louisiana. Projects are evaluated based on their potential for sustainability, originality, and capacity to address recognized needs within the community. Eligibility for the award is limited to nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) status that serve the twelve parishes of Central Louisiana. This ensures that the funding directly benefits the local population and supports organizations with legal standing to carry out charitable work. Previous recipients have included a range of organizations addressing needs in education, food security, health, homelessness prevention, youth programming, and community safety. Each award has provided essential resources for initiatives that strengthen local communities and expand services to residents. Applications are accepted electronically through an online application portal. The foundation begins accepting applications on July 1, 2025, with a final submission deadline of August 31, 2025. After submissions close, the Community Impact Award Selection Committee screens applications and selects finalists. Finalists are notified in September and are required to present their proposals before the committee in October. Following these presentations, the committee votes to determine the grant recipients, with winners announced in November. Evaluation of applications is carried out by the Community Impact Award Selection Committee, composed of members appointed to review proposals, assess their potential for measurable impact, and evaluate sustainability. The process emphasizes fairness and transparency, with multiple stages of review culminating in a live presentation of finalists. Applicants are encouraged to clearly articulate their vision, demonstrate the feasibility of their proposal, and show how their initiative aligns with the fund’s objectives of long-term community impact. For questions regarding the application process, applicants may contact the foundation’s office at 318-445-7702 or by email at emcgruder@clcf.net. The foundation also provides an online application portal and an applicant tutorial to guide prospective applicants through the submission process. The physical office is located at Red River Bank Corporate Office Suite 505, 1412 Centre Court Drive, Alexandria, Louisiana 71301, with mailing correspondence directed to P.O. Box 7432, Alexandria, Louisiana 71306. Since its inception, the Community Impact Award has funded diverse projects, such as mobile therapy and testing units, food security initiatives, cultural and educational programs, and efforts to combat homelessness and human trafficking. This track record illustrates the breadth of community needs addressed and the fund’s role in strengthening regional capacity. By focusing on projects with innovative approaches and long-term benefits, the Community Impact Award continues to be a vital resource for organizations dedicated to improving Central Louisiana.

Applicants are encouraged to review the applicant tutorial and ensure electronic submission by deadline