Community Foundation of North Louisiana

Year-End Giving Donation Deadline
2024-12-31 | LA
Community Foundation of North Louisiana will ensure your year-end giving is simple, easy, effective, and meaningful. Donations to charitable organizations like CFNLA are deductible for donors who itemize when filing tax returns. We work with you and your tax advisor to achieve the maximum impact for the causes you care about. As you make your holiday gift list, consider one or more of the following donation strategies to enhance our community.
Give the gift of appreciated stocks or mutual funds.
An effective strategy to maximize your charitable giving is donating appreciated stock. Donating an appreciated non-cash asset will help you avoid the capital gains tax normally incurred when selling the asset. In some cases, there may even be advantages to selling stocks at a loss and donating the sale proceeds. We are happy to discuss these options with you and your tax advisor.
Contribute multiple years of contributions to a Donor Advised Fund.
Donors who itemize rather than take the standard deduction typically do so because the total of their itemized deductions exceeds the standard deduction amount. That said, with the standard deduction increases for 2024 ($14,600 for individuals and $29,200 for couples), you may find your itemized total is below the standard deduction amount. One solution is to combine or “bunch” multiple years of your planned charitable contributions into a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at CFNLA. Doing so could enable you to itemize on your 2024 tax return and take the standard deduction on your 2025 return, ultimately resulting in a larger two-year deduction. CFNLA requires a minimum contribution of $5,000 for new DAFs, which can be opened in less than a day.
Use your required IRA distribution for giving, skip the taxes.
If you are over 73, you must take a taxable Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA account (ROTH IRAs are excluded). If you choose to direct your RMD to a nonprofit entity, like CFNLA, as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), it will not be taxable. While QCDs may not be directed to a DAF, they can be donated to any other fund type at CFNLA, including Designated, Field of Interest, or Special Initiative funds, like the Early Childhood Education Fund. We can also help you set up a new fund that benefits an interest area of your choice or a specific nonprofit.
Let the Community Foundation do the legwork.
Working with CFNLA gives you access to our extensive knowledge of the local nonprofit community and the broad charitable needs of our region. We will help you stay informed about the organizations you support and the effect your giving will have on the future of our community. From now until close of business on December 31st, we are here to help you achieve your 2024 charitable giving goals. Contact us at info@cfnla.org or 318-221-0582.

CFNLA Office Closed: New Year's Day Holiday
2025-01-01 | LA

WPN Grant Application Open
2025-01-08 | LA

CFNLA Office Closed: MLK Holiday
2025-01-20 | LA

WPN Grant Application Deadline
2025-02-05 | LA

Women's Philanthropy Network Winter Social
2025-02-12 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | LA
Please join us for the WPN Winter Social on Wednesday, February 12 to celebrate Women in Philanthropy. The social will be hosted at the home of WPN Guidance Committee Chair, Carolyn Murphy Thompson.
Liz LaBorde, Chief Grants Officer at Community Foundation will share remarks on the importance of impact grantmaking and women-led philanthropy.
We kindly ask you to register with the green button below. Members and non-members are welcome and encouraged to bring friends.
Register here.

Women's Philanthropy Network Lunch & Learn: The Arc Caddo-Bossier
2025-03-26 11:00 - 12:30 | The Arc Caddo-Bossier, 351 Jordan Street, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71101-5508, United States
WPN Grantee Partner, The Arc Caddo-Bossier invites you to tour their campus on Wednesday, March 26. The tour will begin at 11:00 AM, followed by lunch and remarks.
Ticket cost is $15. Please purchase a ticket here.

WPN 2024-25 Membership Dues Deadline
2025-03-31 | LA

Give For Good 2025: Early Giving Open
2025-04-22 | LA

2024 Annual Report
2025-04-28 | LA
Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s 2024 Annual Report: Building A Brighter Future will be available to view on April 28th at cfnla.org/financials.

2025 Competitive Grants Announced
2025-04-28 | LA
The 2025 Competitive Grant Recipients will be announced on April 28th at cfnla.org/grants.

Step Forward ACEs Parent Talks Series- Linwood Charter School
2025-04-29 17:00 - 19:00 | Linwood Public Charter School- Annex Building, 331 East 71st Street, Shreveport, LA, United States
Step Forward is partnering with Linwood Public Charter School, Humana Healthy Horizons Louisiana, and the Shreve Memorial Library to present “Bouncing Back”, a series of Parent ACEs Talks. Now, more than ever parents and caregivers need access to the tools and resources that reduce trauma and encourage resilience. The Parents ACEs Talk are safe setting where parents and caregivers can share their daily challenges, learn ways to practice self-care, and explore how to best support the developmental and social-emotional needs of their children.
Register here.
Date & Location:
Tuesday, April 29 at 5:00 PM
Linwood Public Charter School – Annex Building
331 East 71st Street Shreveport, LA 71106

Give For Good 2025
2025-05-06 | LA
Get ready to Give for Good!
Give For Good is built to inspire community support by connecting people to local nonprofits they care about, all through one convenient giving website. Community Foundation hosts this event to further its mission of enhancing the quality of North Louisiana through philanthropy. This year, 232 local nonprofits are participating, and they need your support! With a minimum of a $10 donation, you have the opportunity to make a difference in our community through Give For Good.
Online giving will be open from April 22 through May 6. To donate or learn more, visit giveforgoodnla.org.

Give For Good Kick-Off Event at CFNLA
2025-05-06 08:00 - 10:00 | Community Foundation of North Louisiana, 401 EDWARDS ST STE 105, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71101-5508, United States
Join the Community Foundation on Tuesday, May 6th, as we celebrate the 12th annual Give For Good! Enjoy complimentary refreshments from local vendors and enter your favorite nonprofit for a chance to win a $500 Give For Good prize. The kick-off party will begin at 8 AM in the lobby of the Louisiana Tower (401 Edwards Street). You can stop by anytime between 8 AM and 10 AM to vote for your favorite nonprofit, make an online donation, and enjoy some refreshments. We kindly ask you to let us know you are coming by registering here. We look forward to seeing you there!
What is Give For Good? Give For Good is North Louisiana’s largest day of philanthropy. Established in 2014 by Community Foundation of North Louisiana, Give For Good has raised over $22 million for nonprofits in our community. The online giving event empowers the entire community to get involved in causes they care about while building awareness and support for hardworking local nonprofits. Give For Good provides a platform for all donors to transform our community for good! Online giving will open April 22 through May 6. Learn more at giveforgoodnla.org.

Women's Philanthropy Network Annual Meeting
2025-05-20 17:00 - 19:00 | LA

Memorial Day - CFNLA Office Closed
2025-05-26 | LA
Community Foundation will be closed Monday, May 26, 2025 for Memorial Day.

Step Forward's Parent ACEs Talks
2025-06-11 09:00 - 12:00 | The Harbor, 3004 Knight Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104, United States
The Parent ACEs Talks are safe settings to share daily challenges, learn ways to practice self-care, and explore how to best support the developmental and social-emotional needs of children.
Please register here.
Location: The Harbor 3004 Knight Street Shreveport, Louisiana 71105 Building 6, Room 168.

Step Forward's safeTALK Training
2025-06-12 10:00 - 15:00 | The Harbor, 3004 Knight Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104, United States
The safeTALK training is a four-hour training that equips people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help.
Please register here.
Location: The Harbor 3004 Knight Street Shreveport, Louisiana 71105 Building 6, Room 168.

Step Forward’s ACEs Educator Convening
2025-06-13 17:30 - 19:30 | 2nd Act Supper Club, 440 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104, United States
Please join us for the ACEs Educator Convening on Friday, June 13th. Secretary David Matlock will deliver remarks and a call to action.
Hors d’oeuvres from Fat Calf Brasserie will be served. Cash bar will be available.
Please register here. Contact Carla Burgos at burgos@cfnla.org for questions.

Juneteenth - CFNLA Office Closed
2025-06-19 | LA
The Community Foundation will be closed on Thursday, June 19th, 2025.

Grayson Foundation Grant Application Open
2025-07-01 | LA
The Grayson Foundation is a private foundation that is committed to improving the quality of life in Shreveport-Bossier. The Grayson Foundation accepts grant applications once a year. Applications are submitted through the Community Foundation grant portal.

The Grayson Foundation typically awards grants to programs serving disadvantaged populations in Shreveport-Bossier in the sectors of health, human services, and education.
Application opens on July 1.
Application closes on July 31.
Visit the CFNLA grant portal to apply.

Fourth of July - CFNLA Office Closed
2025-07-04 | LA
Community Foundation will be closed Friday, July 4, 2025, for Independence Day.

Competitive Grant Applicant Training
2025-07-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-31 13:00 - 14:00 | Community Foundation of North Louisiana, 401 EDWARDS ST STE 105, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71101-5508, United States
The 2026 Competitive Grant Cycle opens on August 1. Community Foundation is offering three Grant Applicant training sessions for all applicants. Training is optional, but is highly encouraged for first-time applicants.

Thursday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 24 at 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 31 at 1:00 p.m.

Please register for a session here. All sessions will be held in Community Central at Community Foundation. 401 Edwards Street, Suite 125, Shreveport, LA 71101. The training will last approximately 1 hour.

2025 Scott Griffin Award Application Open
2025-07-21 | LA
Scott Griffin Award Application Open: July 21
Community Foundation of North Louisiana will accept applications for the annual G. Scott Griffin Award starting July 21, 2025. The award, which features a cash prize of $1,000, will be given to a local artist who has contributed to the community through his or her art while overcoming adversity.
The deadline for entries is August 8 at 5:00 PM. The guidelines are available here. Individuals can apply through CFNLA’s scholarship portal.
The award is named in honor of G. Scott Griffin, who was a multidisciplinary, multimedia artist with accomplishments in musical composition, instrumental performance, photography, and film. Because of these achievements, it was often unrecognized that Griffin overcame many adversities in the execution of his art. From his childhood, Griffin coped with a visual handicap, congenital nystagmus, which would have been the reason for most talented artists to cease performing. Rather than giving up his artistic dreams, Griffin invited his audiences to join him on a journey of discovery and beauty that was possible through the lens of his camera and his varied canvases. His legendary music enchanted listeners because he played from the heart and not by sight.
Griffin died of complications related to cancer on October 7, 2007, at the age of 45. The Scott Griffin Fund was created at the Community Foundation to keep his memory alive and to honor those artists who approach their art and life with the same passion and persistence as Griffin.
Past recipients include: Susan Duke, Cathy Cobb, Ian Quiet, Larry Sanchez, Aaron Cox, Bertha Cooper Harris, Angelique Feaster-Evans, Poetic X, Carlos Colón, Buddy Flett, Bobby Darrow, Matthew Cipolla, Mary “ML” Dumars, and Maudie Bryant.

All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, August 8 at 5:00 pm. Apply through CFNLA’s scholarship portal.

Grayson Foundation Grant Application Deadline
2025-07-31 | LA
The Grayson Foundation is a private foundation that is committed to improving the quality of life in Shreveport-Bossier. The Grayson Foundation accepts grant applications once a year. Applications are submitted through the Community Foundation grant portal.

The Grayson Foundation typically awards grants to programs serving disadvantaged populations in Shreveport-Bossier in the sectors of health, human services, and education.
Application opens on July 1. The deadline to apply is July 31. Visit the CFNLA grant portal to apply.

Competitive Grant LOI Opens
2025-08-01 | LA
The 2026 Competitive Grant LOI opens on Friday, August 1, 2025. Learn more at cfnla.org/competitivegrants.

2025 Scott Griffin Award Application Deadline
2025-08-08 | LA
2025 Scott Griffin Award Applications Deadline: August 8
Community Foundation of North Louisiana will accept applications for the annual G. Scott Griffin Award starting July 21, 2025. The award, which features a cash prize of $1,000, will be given to a local artist who has contributed to the community through his or her art while overcoming adversity.
The deadline for entries is August 8 at 5:00 PM. The guidelines are available here. Individuals can apply through CFNLA’s scholarship portal.
The award is named in honor of G. Scott Griffin, who was a multidisciplinary, multimedia artist with accomplishments in musical composition, instrumental performance, photography, and film. Because of these achievements, it was often unrecognized that Griffin overcame many adversities in the execution of his art. From his childhood, Griffin coped with a visual handicap, congenital nystagmus, which would have been the reason for most talented artists to cease performing. Rather than giving up his artistic dreams, Griffin invited his audiences to join him on a journey of discovery and beauty that was possible through the lens of his camera and his varied canvases. His legendary music enchanted listeners because he played from the heart and not by sight.
Griffin died of complications related to cancer on October 7, 2007, at the age of 45. The Scott Griffin Fund was created at the Community Foundation to keep his memory alive and to honor those artists who approach their art and life with the same passion and persistence as Griffin.
Past recipients include: Susan Duke, Cathy Cobb, Ian Quiet, Larry Sanchez, Aaron Cox, Bertha Cooper Harris, Angelique Feaster-Evans, Poetic X, Carlos Colón, Buddy Flett, Bobby Darrow, Matthew Cipolla, Mary “ML” Dumars, and Maudie Bryant.

All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, August 8 at 5:00 pm. Apply through CFNLA’s scholarship portal.

Competitive Grant LOI Deadline
2025-08-21 | LA
The deadline to submit a LOI for a 2026 Competitive Grant is Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 4 pm. Learn more at cfnla.org/competitivegrants.
