Step Forward's The Parent Talk: Atkins Elementary School
2026-03-06 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Atkins Elementary School, 7611 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, LA, 71106, United States
Step Forward, in collaboration with Human Healthy Horizons in Louisiana, the Bureau of Family Health, Louisiana Childhood Adversity Resilience Education Network (LA CARE Network), and Atkins Elementary presents THE PARENT TALK.
Empowering parents and caregivers is crucial for fostering a supportive environment that cultivates resilience in children and decreases the impact of toxic stress. The Parent Talk provides a safe space where parents and caregivers can gain insights into the effects of adversity and toxic stress on children’s development. By sharing daily challenges, learning self-care practices, and discussing support for their children’s social-emotional development, participants can develop effective strategies for building family resilience. Lunch and door prizes will be provided.
Register here.

Women's Philanthropy Network Brunch and Learn with VYJ
2026-03-24 09:00 - 10:00 | Caddo Heights Elementary School, 1702 Corbitt Street, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71108, United States
WPN Grantee Partner, Volunteers for Youth Justice, invites you to a Brunch and Learn at Caddo Heights Elementary School on Tuesday, March 24, at 9:00 AM.

Purchase a ticket here.

WPN 2025-26 Membership Dues Deadline
2026-03-31
Founded in 2005, the Women’s Philanthropy Network (WPN) was established as a way for local women of all generations and philanthropic capacity to leverage their charitable giving to address pressing issues in the community. To accomplish this, members pool their annual dues to make a high-impact grant to a local nonprofit focusing on education initiatives. The WPN also hosts educational programs to keep members informed about our community. Since its inception, the WPN has granted over $1.7 million to educational initiatives in our community!
The membership year begins on July 1, 2025, and concludes on June 30, 2026. To vote on the 2026 WPN grant, dues must be paid by March 31, 2026. (Dues received after March 31st are applied to membership for the following year.)
As a CFNLA fund, WPN grants are funded through a combination of annual dues and the WPN endowment fund. Specifically, 80% of a WPN member’s dues are allocated to the grant pool while 20% is invested in the WPN endowment. Each year, the growing WPN endowment returns 4% of its market value to the grant pool, resulting in a larger grant than dues alone would provide. The WPN endowment is currently valued at over $600,000.
WPN members have the opportunity to vote on the WPN grantee at the Annual Meeting held in May. Members will also be acknowledged in the Community Foundation’s Annual Report, receive invitations to special events, and connect with other women dedicated to improving education for children in Caddo Parish.
Learn More or Become A Member.

Step Forward’s The Parent Talk: May 2
2026-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | The Highland Center Gymnasium, 520 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104, United States
Step Forward, in collaboration with Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana, the Louisiana Childhood Adversity Resilience Education Network (LA CARE Network), and Basic Necessities presents: The Parent Talk.

Empowering parents and caregivers is crucial for fostering a supportive environment that cultivates resilience in children and decreases the impact of toxic stress. The Parent Talk provides a safe space where parents and caregivers can gain insights into the effects of adversity and toxic stress on children’s development. By sharing daily challenges, learning self-care practices, and discussing support for their children’s social-emotional development, participants can develop effective strategies for building family resilience. Lunch and door prizes will be provided.
Location: The Highland Center Gymnasium, 520 Olive Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71104
Please register here.
For questions, contact Carla Burgos at burgos@cfnla.org or 318-221-0582.

Give For Good 2026
2026-05-05
Give For Good Returns for the 13th Year of Giving!

North Louisiana’s largest day of philanthropy, Give For Good, returns on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Powered by Community Foundation of North Louisiana (CFNLA), Give For Good is an online day of giving that has raised nearly $25 million in critical unrestricted funding for participating local nonprofits since 2014.
This year, nearly 250 organizations are participating in Give For Good, following last year, wherein more than 4,300 community donors raised $2.53 million for local nonprofits. In 2026, CFNLA is challenging the community to raise $2.8 million in donations!
CFNLA hosts Give For Good as part of its mission to increase local philanthropy and enhance the quality of life in North Louisiana. Give For Good’s online platform provides each nonprofit with a customized giving page where the organization can share its mission, programs, needs, and volunteer opportunities. Donors can easily browse, search, and filter participating organizations by sector or location, much like an online shopping experience.
During checkout, donors can also contribute to the Lagniappe Fund, a bonus pool of over $260,000 that boosts donations made to participating nonprofits on a pro-rata basis. Participating nonprofits are also eligible to win special Give For Good prizes throughout the giving event.
With a minimum donation amount of only $10, Give For Good empowers everyone to be a philanthropist. All donations are 100% tax deductible, and there is no fee for nonprofits to participate in Give For Good. CFNLA receives no proceeds from the event.
“We are proud to sponsor Give For Good in our community for the 13th year,” says CFNLA CEO Kristi Gustavson. “Give For Good day is always exciting and energizing as we watch the donation total grow and hear from our local nonprofit organizations about the programs and the people who will benefit from this community support. Every year, I am amazed at and humbled by the generosity and civic spirit illustrated through Give For Good.”
Generous community sponsors help make Give For Good possible. CFNLA thanks our 2026 sponsors: Greg Teeters Endowed Fund, AEP SWEPCO Foundation; Lamar Outdoor Advertising; Amazon; Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana (Louisiana Blue); Powers Foundation; HiTech; Heard, McElroy & Vestal LLC; Frymaster; Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport; Poljak Group Wealth Management at Steward Partners; Cook, Yancey, King & Galloway; Graf Orthodontics; Kean Miller; Brookshire’s Grocery Co; and Pettiette, Armand, Dunkelman, Woodley & Cromwell LLP.
On May 5, many local businesses will host events for their favorite nonprofits and donate a portion of the day’s sales. In addition to donating, we encourage everyone to be a part of the excitement by finding an event to attend at giveforgoodnla.org/opportunities.
Give For Good Day is May 5, but giveforgoodnla.org opens April 21 for early giving. CFNLA invites our entire community to join us as partners in philanthropy this year as we work to raise $2.8 million to support our amazing participating nonprofits through Give For Good!

Learn more and give online at giveforgoodnla.org.

WPN Annual Meeting
2026-05-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Ronald McDonald House, 9100 Susan Drive, Shreveport, LA, 71118, United States

Memorial Day - CFNLA Office Closed
2026-05-25
CFNLA will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, for Memorial Day.

Juneteenth - CFNLA Office Closed
2026-06-19
CFNLA will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026, for Juneteenth.

Step Forward: ASIST Training at The Harbor
2026-06-23 08:00 - 2026-06-24 16:00 | The Harbor, 3004 Knight Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104, United States
Please join Step Forward on June 23 and June 24 for the ASIST Training at The Harbor. The training will be held at 8:00 AM-4:00 PM both days.
Please register here.

Grayson Foundation Grant Applications
2026-07-01 - 2026-07-31
Grayson Foundation Grants

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 annually. 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.
Organizations may apply via the CFNLA grant portal.

2026 Scott Griffin Award Application Open
2026-07-01 - 2026-08-07
2026 Scott Griffin Award Applications Open July 1, 2026 – August 8, 2026.
Community Foundation of North Louisiana will accept applications for the annual G. Scott Griffin Award starting July 1, 2026. 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 7 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, Maudie Bryant, and Debra Roberson.

All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Friday, August 7 at 5:00 pm. Apply through CFNLA’s scholarship portal.

Fourth of July - CFNLA Office Closed
2026-07-06
CFNLA will be closed Monday, July 6, 2026, in observance of the 4th of July.

CFNLA Grant Applicant Training
2026-07-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Community Foundation’s Community Central, 401 EDWARDS ST STE 125, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71101-5508, United States
The 2027 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 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m.

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

Register for a session here.
Learn more about the Competitive Grants cycle on our website at cfnla.org/competitivegrants/.

CFNLA Grant Applicant Training
2026-07-21 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Community Foundation’s Community Central, 401 EDWARDS ST STE 125, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71101-5508, United States
The 2027 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 16 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m.

Please register for a session with the link below. 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.

Register for a session here.

Learn more about the Competitive Grants cycle on our website at cfnla.org/competitivegrants/.

Brain Architecture Game Sessions with Step Forward
2026-08-01 | Riverview Hall, 600 Clyde Fant Parkway, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71101, United States
Step Forward is partnering with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and Humana to facilitate two sessions of the Brain Architecture Game at the Health Fest.

Saturday, August 1, 2026
Riverview Hall (600 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport, LA 71101)
First Session 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Second Session 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm

Join us for an interactive tabletop game that brings the science of early brain development to life. Through hands-on activities, you’ll learn how early experiences shape the brain, how adversity and toxic stress affect development, and how caring relationships help children build resilience.
Together, we’ll discover why every one of us has the power to be a Brain Architect.
Please register for a session here.

Competitive Grants Applications Open - Primary and Arts Grant Categories
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-21
Competitive Grants Application Timeline

Stage One (Letter of Intent) for Primary Grants and Arts Grants ONLY opens August 1 at 8 a.m. CST and closes August 21 at 4 p.m. CST.
For those invited to Stage Two in the Primary Grants and Arts Grants categories, the application opens October 15 at 8 a.m. CST and closes November 15 at 4 p.m. CST.
For those that wish to apply in the Small Organization Grants category, the application opens October 15 at 8 a.m. CST and closes November 15 at 4 p.m. CST.
Grant recipients will be announced in April.
Funds will be available June 1 or later.

Learn more at cfnla.org/competitivegrants/.

Step Forward’s The Parent Talk: August 8
2026-08-08 10:00 - 12:00 | The Highland Center Gymnasium, 520 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104, United States

Labor Day - CFNLA Office Closed
2026-09-07
CFNLA will be closed Monday, September 7, 2026, for Labor Day.

Community Counts 2026
2026-09-23 17:30 - 18:30 | Noel Memorial Library at LSUS, 1 University Place, Shreveport, LA, 71115, United States
Please join Community Foundation of North Louisiana on Wednesday, September 23, for Community Counts 2026, CFNLA’s annual report on the quality of life in Shreveport-Bossier. Dr. Dave Norris, Chief Research and Innovation Officer at Louisiana Tech University, will present this year’s data report card for Shreveport-Bossier.
The event is free to attend; however, we kindly ask that you register HERE.

Competitive Grants Applications Open - Small Grant Category
2026-10-15 - 2026-11-15
Competitive Grants Application Timeline

For those that wish to apply in the Small Organization Grants category, the application opens October 15 at 8 a.m. CST and closes November 15 at 4 p.m. CST.
Grant recipients will be announced in April.
Funds will be available June 1 or later.

Learn more at cfnla.org/competitivegrants/.

Step Forward's The Parent Talk: November 7
2026-11-07 10:00 - 12:00 | The Highland Center Gymnasium, 520 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104, United States

Give For Good 2027 Nonprofit Registration Open
2026-11-09
Give For Good returns on Tuesday, May 4, 2027! Organizations may register for Give For Good 2027 beginning Monday, November 9, 2026. The deadline to register is Friday, December 4, 2026. More details regarding registration will be available at giveforgoodnla.org in the fall of 2026. Make sure you are signed up to receive email notices about Give For Good registration and important updates. Sign up here.

Thanksgiving Holiday - CFNLA Office Closed
2026-11-26 - 2026-11-27
CFNLA will be closed on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Friday, November 27, 2026, for Thanksgiving.

Give For Good 2027 Nonprofit Registration Deadline
2026-12-04

Christmas Holiday - CFNLA Office Closed
2026-12-23 - 2026-12-25
CFNLA will be closed on Wednesday, December 23, 2026, through Friday, December 25, 2026, for Christmas.

Give For Good 2027
2027-05-04
Give For Good Returns for its 14th Year of Giving!

North Louisiana’s largest day of philanthropy, Give For Good, returns on Tuesday, May 4, 2027. Powered by Community Foundation of North Louisiana (CFNLA), Give For Good is an online day of giving that has raised over $27 million in critical unrestricted funding for participating local nonprofits since 2014.
In 2026, more than 4,200 community donors raised a record-breaking $2.95 million for 232 local nonprofits. In 2027, CFNLA is challenging the community to surpass last year’s donations!
CFNLA hosts Give For Good as part of its mission to increase local philanthropy and enhance the quality of life in North Louisiana. Give For Good’s online platform provides each nonprofit with a customized giving page where the organization can share its mission, programs, needs, and volunteer opportunities. Donors can easily browse, search, and filter participating organizations by sector or location, much like an online shopping experience. Organizations participating will be available on the Give For Good website on January 1, 2027.
During checkout, donors can also contribute to the Lagniappe Fund, a bonus pool that boosts donations made to participating nonprofits on a pro-rata basis. Participating nonprofits are also eligible to win special Give For Good prizes throughout the giving event. In 2026, more than $290,000 was awarded through the Lagniappe Fund and prizes to participating organizations!
With a minimum donation amount of only $10, Give For Good empowers everyone to be a philanthropist. All donations are 100% tax deductible, and there is no fee for nonprofits to participate in Give For Good. CFNLA receives no proceeds from the event.
Give For Good Day is May 4, 2027, with early giving opening on April 20, 2027. CFNLA invites our entire community to join us as partners in philanthropy this year as we work to raise unrestricted dollars to support our amazing participating nonprofits through Give For Good!

Save the date for May 4, 2027. Learn more and how to get involved at giveforgoodnla.org.
