Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana

Public charity · Grantmaker Lake Charles, LA EIN: 72-1508036

The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is a public charity based in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Established in 2001, it serves five Southwest Louisiana parishes by providing financial support for charitable, social, educational, and human services programs.

Key facts about Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana

In short: Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana gave $2.9M across 72 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), mostly in Louisiana. 42% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
72-1508036
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$2,921,369
Grants made (2024)
72
Average grant
$40,575
Median grant
$15,125
New grantees (estimate)
42% first-time grantees (30 of 72, 2024)
Total assets
$39,568,084
Primary geography
Louisiana (79% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Deadline
The listed deadline for each of these scholarships is March 15, 2027.
Next open deadline
March 15, 2027 (AMERISAFE Community Scholarship (Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana))

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$39.6M

+6.4% YoY

Annual Giving

$2.9M

+92.0% YoY

Grant Count

72

+38.5% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$41K

+38.6% YoY

Is Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana open to new grantees?

42%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 30 of 72 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $36K. How we count

Medians: $11K first-time, $19K repeat.

  • 39% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s stated mission is to unite human and financial resources to effect permanent, positive cultural change in Southwest Louisiana. Its filing describes work that includes helping grow nonprofit endowments, partnering to provide emergency funding, supporting affiliated agencies and institutions, and administering endowments, trusts, and supporting foundations.

The 2024 grants show support for organizations in areas including arts, education, scholarships, community projects, and religious institutions. Oak Crossing Foundation describes its own mission as enriching Southwest Louisiana’s culture, community, and quality of life through arts awareness, support, presentation, and education. Scholarship America says it works to help students access resources for learning and education; McNeese State University Foundation says it administers private support for scholarships and professorships. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 72 grants totaling $2,921,369. Grants ranged from $5,100 to $640,079, with a median grant of $15,125.

Among the largest 2024 grants were $640,079 to Oak Crossing Foundation for general support; $235,171 to the City of Westlake for general support; $170,000 to Trinity Baptist Church for general support; $155,202 to Scholarship America for general scholarship fund support; and $118,693 to McNeese State University Foundation for general support. Other grants included $100,000 to Apostolic Christian HarvestCall for building supplies to repair homes in Jefferson Davis Parish and $100,000 to Provident Resources Group for Port Wonder.

The foundation’s website describes charitable accounts through which fund holders recommend grants to nonprofits. It offers designated, donor-advised, field-of-interest, organization, and unrestricted funds. The website also says donors can request help identifying charities and follow-up on results.

The foundation currently lists scholarship programs for graduating high school seniors. The Millard Morris Founder’s Scholarship supports a student pursuing a four-year degree who meets its GPA and AMERISAFE family-relationship criteria; its stated award is $1,000 per year for the first three years and $2,000 in the fourth year. The AMERISAFE Community Scholarship is for eligible seniors in Beauregard or Vernon Parishes pursuing specified fields of study at a two- or four-year institution, with awards of $2,000–$4,000. The Gwen Higgins English Scholarship is a one-time $2,000 award for an eligible Lake Arthur High School senior. These are scholarships for individuals, not grants to outside organizations.

Review Cycle

The listed deadline for each of these scholarships is March 15, 2027.

Open Grants

6 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana

Show all 6 →
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s filing says it serves Calcasieu, Beauregard, Allen, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes. In 2024, 79% of grant dollars went to recipients in Louisiana; other recipient states included Minnesota (5%), Indiana (3%), New York (3%), and Texas (3%).

Grant Distribution by State

20states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 72 itemized grants.

Cities

Lake CharlesBaton RougeSulphurDeridderNew OrleansWestlakeArlingtonHoustonMemphisFrench CampJenningsMonroeIrvingLafayetteBismarckRustonShreveportLititzAmericusConway

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M51 grants2019 89 grants2020 47 grants2021 70 grants2022 52 grants2023 72 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2023) to $3.6M (2020). In 2024 it made 72 grants totaling $2.9M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Oak Crossing Foundation: $640KOak Crossing Foundation$640KCity of Westlake: $235KCity of Westlake$235KTrinity Baptist Church: $170KTrinity Baptist Church$170KScholarship America Inc: $155KScholarship America Inc$155KMcNeese State University Foundation: $119KMcNeese State UniversityFoundation$119KApostolic Christian Harvestcall: $100KApostolic ChristianHarvestcall$100KProvident Resources Group Inc: $100KProvident Resources Group Inc$100KAmerican Institute of Chemical Engineers Foundation: $96KAmerican Institute of ChemicalEngineers Foundation$96KTiger Athletic Foundation: $80KTiger Athletic Foundation$80KLiving Water Lake Charles Global Methodist Church: $77KLiving Water Lake CharlesGlobal Methodist Church$77K

The largest 2024 recipient was Oak Crossing Foundation ($640K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($24,500), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

330 grants across all recorded years

261<$50K33$50–100K24$100–250K11$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 261 grants of 330 (79%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Oak Crossing Foundation Lake Charles, LAGeneral Support$640,079
City of Westlake Westlake, LAGeneral Support$235,171
Trinity Baptist Church Lake Charles, LAGeneral Support$170,000
Scholarship America Inc Minneapolis, MNGeneral Scholarship Fund Support$155,202
McNeese State University Foundation Lake Charles, LAGeneral Support$118,693
Apostolic Christian Harvestcall West Lafayette, INSupport of building supplies to repair approx 17 homes in jeff davis parish$100,000
Provident Resources Group Inc Baton Rouge, LASupport for Port Wonder$100,000
American Institute of Chemical Engineers Foundation New York, NYGeneral Support$96,000
Tiger Athletic Foundation Baton Rouge, LAGeneral Support$80,000
Living Water Lake Charles Global Methodist Church Lake Charles, LAGeneral Support$77,166

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $39,568,084 $5,850,000 $4,009,191 $2,921,369
2023 $37,190,285 $5,341,976 $2,608,054 $1,521,936
2022 $33,942,513 $3,054,710 $4,627,181 $2,681,157

The foundation’s website says its operations are funded by fees on charitable accounts under management and financial backing from supporters.

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$5M$10M$15M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$39,568,084$37,190,285$33,942,513
Revenue$5,850,000$5,341,976$3,054,710
Expenses$4,009,191$2,608,054$4,627,181
Net Investment Income$1,902,834$2,175,328$812,233

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 14, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 11, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Jim Rock as chair and Glenn Pumpelly as treasurer. Directors listed are Mollie Broussard, Kody Cannon, Karen Chamberlain, Matt Felder, Maria Laborde, Clair Marceaux, Nicole Moncrief, and Willie Mount. The filing states that the Baton Rouge Area Foundation appoints the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana’s directors.

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is led by Sara Judson, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 1 of 15 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Sara Judson

    President & CEO

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $95K (2019) → $132K (2024)

  • Jim Rock

    Chair

    Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2022

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Clair Marceaux

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marshall Simien

    Director

    Vice Chair → Chair, 2022

    Chair → Director, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Willie Mount

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Karen Chamberlain

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nicole Moncrief

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Owen Thompson

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Angela Queenan

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Felder

    Director

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kade Trahan

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kody Cannon

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Maria Laborde

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mollie Broussard

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Glenn Pumpelly

    Treasurer

    Director → Treasurer, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (15)
  • Former: Julie Miller (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Lee Boyer (2019–2023) — Director
  • Former: Troy Trahan (2022–2023) — Director
  • Former: Carly Leonards (2023) — Director
  • Former: Katie Stream (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Prissy Gayle (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Susan Scalfi (2020–2022) — Secretary
  • Former: Jon Manns (2019–2021) — Past Chair
  • Former: Larry Avery (2019–2021) — Director
  • Former: Tom Shearman (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Nick Langley (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Dinah Bradford (2019) — Director
  • Former: Nora Popillion (2019) — Director
  • Former: Poncho Seaford (2019) — Director
  • Former: Rick Richard (2019) — Member-At-Large

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Sara Judson — President/CEO: $132KSara JudsonPresident/CEO$132K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $132K, to Sara Judson (President/CEO).

Contact

Mailing address: 1155 Ryan St 2Nd Floor, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 491-6688

Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana

How much does Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana give each year?

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana gave $2.9M across 72 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 52 grants.

What is Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's typical grant size?

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's median grant in 2024 was $15,125, and its average grant was $40,575, across 72 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana that year got $46K on average.

Where does Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana give grants?

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana gives mostly in Louisiana: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Lake Charles, LA (34 grants), Westlake, LA (4 grants), Baton Rouge, LA (4 grants) and Houston, TX (4 grants).

Does Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana give general operating support?

Yes: 85% of Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (61 of 72) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Who are Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's largest grantees?

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's largest 2024 grantees include Oak Crossing Foundation ($640,079), City of Westlake ($235,171) and Trinity Baptist Church ($170,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($24,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana?

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana reported $39.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.8M.

What does Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana fund?

The foundation’s stated mission is to unite human and financial resources to effect permanent, positive cultural change in Southwest Louisiana. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana?

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's EIN?

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 72-1508036. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Louisiana

Greater Houston Community Foundation

Houston, TX

The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

1,724

Total Given

$232.3M

The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund

New Orleans, LA

The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund primarily supports higher education, research, student aid, and public service, with grants also reported to education and research organizations. In 2025, grants ranged from $5,005 to $643,695, with a median of $16,445; Louisiana received the largest share of funding, though grants went to organizations in multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$4.6B

Grants

891

Total Given

$25.4M

The Greater New Orleans Foundation

New Orleans, LA

The Greater New Orleans Foundation funds arts and culture, education, youth development, health, social services, and other regional priorities across the 13 parishes of Southeast Louisiana. Its stated average grant is about $20,000; its IMPACT grants are invitation-only, while the Foundation encourages nonprofits to share information about their work through a form.

Assets

$513.0M

Grants

623

Total Given

$34.6M

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

Baton Rouge, LA

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation supports nonprofits and community projects addressing needs such as education, health, human services, economic opportunity, and community resilience, primarily in Baton Rouge and Southern Louisiana. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,100 to $2,201,762, with a median award of $21,000. It offers competitive funding opportunities, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$342.7M

Grants

340

Total Given

$31.1M

Community Foundation of Acadiana

Lafayette, LA

Community Foundation of Acadiana supports nonprofits and community projects in education and youth development, health and human services, arts and culture, community development, and other areas. Its competitive local grants are typically up to $5,000 through Affiliate Grants and up to $15,000 through The Fund for Acadiana, serving five and eight Acadiana parishes, respectively; its 2024 grants overall ranged from $5,050 to $3,142,333, with a median of $15,200. It accepts applications through these grant programs, though the supplied information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests outside them.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$183.5M

Grants

324

Total Given

$18.6M

Goldring Family Foundation

Metairie, LA

The Goldring Family Foundation funds nonprofits in education, health, arts and culture, human services, children’s opportunities, Jewish causes, and other areas, primarily in Greater New Orleans. Its 2024 grants had a median of $7,000, though awards ranged from $30 to $1 million. It invites organizations to begin with a Letter of Inquiry.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$199.2M

Grants

305

Total Given

$7.0M

Baptist Community Ministries

New Orleans, LA

Baptist Community Ministries funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in health, education, or public safety in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana. Its 2025 grants had a median of $10,000, while public Transom Grants start at $50,000 per year and discretionary donations are generally $5,000 or less. It accepts unsolicited requests through these public programs; other grant types are invitation-only.

Education

Assets

$397.5M

Grants

264

Total Given

$10.6M

The Scott Foundation

Monroe, LA

Assets

$17.6M

Grants

256

Total Given

$856K

Community Foundation of North Louisiana

Shreveport, LA

The Community Foundation of North Louisiana funds nonprofits and community programs addressing poverty, health, education, early childhood learning, youth, arts, and other regional needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,083 to $745,181, with a median of $19,750, and its service area is 14 parishes in North Louisiana. It accepts applications for eligible competitive grants; Primary and Arts applicants start with a letter of intent, while Small Organization Grants use a single-stage application.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$193.2M

Grants

191

Total Given

$11.3M

United Way of Southeast Louisiana

New Orleans, LA

United Way of Southeast Louisiana funds collaborative efforts to reduce poverty, including workforce training, housing, health care, youth development, education, and food access. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,575 to $303,517, with a median of $37,368, and it primarily serves seven Southeast Louisiana parishes. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$25.1M

Grants

160

Total Given

$8.4M

Carolyn W & Charles T Beaird

Shreveport, LA

The foundation supports qualified nonprofits in education, housing, health care, social services, the arts, and community development, with an emphasis on small, local, innovative programs serving Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana. Its 2024 grants ranged from $50 to $77,000, with a median of $2,000. It accepts requests through an online Letter of Intent process, with full applications invited after approval.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$22.3M

Grants

160

Total Given

$1.6M

More Funders in Louisiana

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?