Community Foundation of Acadiana
Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and community foundation headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana. Founded in 2000, CFA serves as a philanthropic leader and resource for donors, nonprofits, and community leaders in south Louisiana. The organization operates as a trusted intermediary connecting generous individuals, families, and organizations with causes they care about, facilitating charitable giving and community impact across the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$183.5M
+9.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$18.6M
+49.6% YoY
Grant Count
324
+11.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
+34.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To build legacies and improve communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about.
CFA believes philanthropy is a catalyst for enhancing the quality of life in communities—both immediately and in perpetuity. The foundation manages a wide range of charitable funds shaped by donor goals and community needs, offering flexible giving options from short-term strategies to long-term legacy planning.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education and youth development
- Health and human services
- Arts and culture
- Community development
- Scholarships at any education level
Specialized programs:
- Leaders in Law - Awards honoring law enforcement departments making significant community impact, with funds available at their discretion to improve operations
- SOLA Giving Day - Annual 24-hour online fundraising event for nonprofits, churches, and schools
- Love Our Community Relief Fund - Critical assistance for those affected by crises
- Affiliate Grants Program - Competitive grants launched through five affiliate foundations
Grantmaking
CFA manages diverse charitable funds established by individuals, families, and businesses. The organization operates through an Affiliate Grants Program featuring five affiliate foundations: Evangeline Affiliate Foundation, Iberia Affiliate Foundation, St. Mary Affiliate Foundation, St. Landry Affiliate Foundation, and Vermilion Affiliate Foundation.
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Acadiana?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CFA primarily serves the eight parishes of Acadiana: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion. The foundation maintains strong local relationships and parish-based affiliate foundations to support initiatives reflecting the values, history, and aspirations of each unique community.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $168,320,050
- Total revenues: $22,874,469
- Total expenses: $18,001,684
- Total giving: $19,575,230
Staffing:
- 12 employees (8.3% year-over-year growth)
- Annual revenue: $12,014,569
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $183,519,760 | $168,320,050 | $148,594,814 |
| Revenue | $31,703,440 | $22,874,469 | $32,291,449 |
| Expenses | $23,755,186 | $18,001,684 | $15,985,340 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $10,337,487 | $3,954,527 | $5,804,897 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Acadiana
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Episcopal School of Acadiana ($494,500), Catholic Charities of Acadiana ($284,660), Ali Forney Center ($237,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 232-HELPLouisiana 211 LAFAYETTE, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT, GALA | $18,400 |
| Acadiana Animal Aid CARENCRO, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT, BARK IN THE DARK | $62,716 |
| Acadiana Center for the Arts Lafayette, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT, EXPANSION OF ARTS PROGRAM | $89,867 |
| Acadiana Veteran Alliance Lafayette, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,210 |
| Aid to the Church in Need Inc Brooklyn, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT, CHRISTMAS APPEAL | $5,700 |
| Ali Forney Center New York, NY | GENERAL FUNDS, DRAG BRUNCH | $237,000 |
| American Battlefield Trust Washington DC, DC | CIVIL WAR | $8,000 |
| American Cancer Society Baton Rouge, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT, BLACK & WHITE GALA | $50,450 |
| Ascension Episcopal School Lafayette, LA | SCHOLARSHIPS, ANNUAL GIVING | $40,837 |
| Austin Community Foundation Austin, TX | TRANSFER TO DAF | $175,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Missy Bienvenu Andrade - President & Chief Executive Officer
- Steve Alley - Chief Operating Officer
- Nicole Hebert - Director of Business Development
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Darnall | Past Chair | 2 | — |
| Jim Doyle | Director | 1 | — |
| Allyson Pharr | Director | 1 | — |
| Wayne Phillips | Director | 1 | — |
| Elena Knezek | Director | 1 | — |
| Ian Macdonald | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Mary Leach Werner | Director | 1 | — |
| Deiadra Garrett MD PHD | Chair | 2 | — |
| Randy Prather | Director | 1 | — |
| Marie Centanni | Director | 1 | — |
| Grant Guillotte | Director | 1 | — |
| Casey Hoyt | Director | 1 | — |
| Mark Musso | Director | 1 | — |
| Chris Rader | Secretary/Treasurer | 2 | — |
| William Rucks | Director | 1 | — |
| Rob Eddy | Director | 1 | — |
| EJ Krampe | Director | 1 | — |
| Shelly Cestia | Director | 1 | — |
| Karen King | Director | 1 | — |
| Joe Spell | Director | 1 | — |
| Missy Andrade | CEO | 38 | $226,162 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In October 2025, CFA announced a significant milestone with the launch of its Affiliate Grants Program, awarding $161,100 in competitive grants to 34 nonprofit projects. This marked the first time in CFA's history that it deployed competitive grants using unrestricted funds, empowering local communities to address their unique challenges and quality-of-life opportunities.
Community Foundation of Acadiana Announces $161K in Grants to Support 34The Vermilion Affiliate Foundation granted $50,000 to Acadiana Center for the Arts to expand arts education programming.
Community Foundation of Acadiana Announces $161K in Grants to Support 34CFA maintains an active grant opportunity: the Richard Guidry Cajun and Creole Language Fund Grant.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Community Foundation of Acadiana fund?
**Mission:** To build legacies and improve communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about. CFA believes philanthropy is a catalyst for enhancing the quality of life in communities—both immediately and in perpetuity. The foundation manages a wide range of charitable funds shaped by donor goals and community needs, offering flexible giving options from short-term strategies to long-term legacy planning. **Primary funding areas include:** • Education and youth development …
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Acadiana?
CFA manages diverse charitable funds established by individuals, families, and businesses. The organization operates through an Affiliate Grants Program featuring five affiliate foundations: Evangeline Affiliate Foundation, Iberia Affiliate Foundation, St. Mary Affiliate Foundation, St. Landry Affiliate Foundation, and Vermilion Affiliate Foundation. **Recent grant activity:** • Announced $161,100 in grants to 34 community-based projects through the Affiliate Grants Program • Awards of up to $5…
Where does Community Foundation of Acadiana make grants?
CFA primarily serves the eight parishes of Acadiana: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion. The foundation maintains strong local relationships and parish-based affiliate foundations to support initiatives reflecting the values, history, and aspirations of each unique community.
What size grants does Community Foundation of Acadiana award?
In 2024, Community Foundation of Acadiana awarded 324 grants totaling $18.6M — an average of about $57K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Community Foundation of Acadiana's EIN?
Community Foundation of Acadiana's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1493023. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of Acadiana's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Shell Usa Company Foundation
HOUSTON, TX
Assets
$52.3M
Grants
4,650
Total Given
$16.0M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc
ALPHARETTA, GA
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
16,327
Total Given
$2.6B
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
Ge Aerospace Foundation
NORWALK, CT
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
2,467
Total Given
$15.3M
Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund
ST PETERSBURG, FL
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
6,906
Total Given
$288.7M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
HOUSTON, TX
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
The Us Charitable Gift Trust
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
6,518
Total Given
$231.4M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Community Foundation of Acadiana on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities