Sign up for
our newsletter
Stay up to date with all the important information for Central Louisiana Community Foundation!
The Central Louisiana Community Foundation (CLCF) is a nonprofit organization that encourages effective giving from people who care about Central Louisiana.
CLCF administers charitable funds established through gifts and bequests from individuals, families, businesses, and other nonprofit organizations. Uniting the regions’ citizens, financial advisors, and nonprofit agencies, CLCF seeks to stimulate charitable giving to improve the quality of life in Central Louisiana. The Foundation invests these funds to increase the philanthropic capacity across the region.
Donor-advised funds permit CLCF donors to support the causes and organizations that they care about. Local nonprofits can establish Agency Funds to create an income stream by receiving returns on cash reserves for future or current needs. Field-of-Interest Funds are established for the purpose of supporting a particular cause or philanthropy. Businesses and families can establish Scholarship Funds to nurture regional education needs.
Mission
To connect people to priorities they care about and increase charitable giving in order to advance the quality of life for all in our communities.
To improve the quality of life in Central Louisiana by building permanent endowments, utilizing strategic grant making to address community needs.
History
In 1989, community leaders suggested that Central Louisiana needed a community foundation. The topic was discussed and the group determined that a foundation would need substantial assets to have a paid director in order to become a viable foundation. Sources were considered and only half of the necessary funding seemed possible, so the opportunity was deferred.
Ten years later, Central Louisiana leaders again recognized the need for a local community foundation to further the vision of local philanthropists. Eleven local leaders with the help of the Greater New Orleans Foundation met, and the decision was made to go forward.
In May 1999 the Central Louisiana Community Foundation was established as a Louisiana Not for Profit Corporation. Five weeks later was granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.
Early funding came from the Coughlin-Saunders Foundation and The Rapides Foundation, as well as contributions from founding members. A part-time executive director was hired, and the board began to meet to craft mission, vision and goals statements, which have been revised and refined to serve the Foundation today.
Norman Martin served as the first volunteer leader, followed by Edward Crump. Later leaders included Wayne Denley, Brent Pearson, Curman Gaines, Wylie Cavin, Arnold Task, Henry Blake, David Britt, Glenda Stock, Brenner Sadler, Coan Knight, Martin Johnson, Chad Soprano, Kermit Pharris, and Mike Young.
Click here for a list of our current members.
