Community Foundation of North Louisiana

10/01/2026

CFNLA is excited to announce the release of Community Counts 2026: Turning Data into Impact! Community Counts serves as a report card on the quality of life for the Shreveport-Bossier Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

On September 23, Dr. Dave Norris presented an overview of Community Counts data at the Noel Memorial Library at Louisiana State University - Shreveport. Highlights this year include top 4 rankings in 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in school, per capita personal income, per capita real GDP growth, and air quality.

The event also featured an interactive data exhibit developed by Callie Dean, a member of CFNLA’s Women's Philanthropy Network and the Director of Applied Research in Nonprofit Administration and Research at LSUS. The interactive display allowed attendees to “be the philanthropist,” providing each with colorful pom-poms worth a symbolic $1 million to invest in broad categories commonly represented in CFNLA’s competitive grantmaking process. Participants were encouraged to use the information gleaned from Community Counts, along with their own knowledge and interests, to identify our community’s greatest needs as well as consider where their hypothetical investments could make the greatest impact.

The Executive Summary and full Community Counts report are now available on our website at cfnla.org/data.

09/30/2026

This week, CFNLA was recognized by Geaux Far Louisiana for our work on the ECE Scholarship Initiative! Geaux Far is a statewide coalition supported by the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children and many other organizations. Each fall, they host Geaux Far Week events across Louisiana to highlight the coalition's goals of supporting a family- and provider-driven childcare system; creating a net that works; providing all children with a healthy start; working to provide child care for everybody, everywhere; and encouraging family-friendly workplaces. Thank you, Geaux Far Louisiana, for this recognition. We are proud to continue our work to ensure every child has access to high-quality learning in our community.

09/23/2026

Give Like Dolly Day is coming THIS Friday, September 25!💛

Dolly Parton believed in giving back and helping children dream bigger—and this year, we’re celebrating that spirit right here at home through Give Like Dolly Day.

On September 25, we’re inviting our community to join us in giving back to children by supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Northwest Louisiana.

Your support helps make it possible for children in our community to receive a free, high-quality book every month from birth to age 5. 📚

Learn more and find out how you can support children in Northwest Louisiana: https://unitedwaynwla.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/6648

09/21/2026

Congratulations to Literacy Volunteers at Centenary College for being awarded a 2026 Competitive Grant! 🎉

We are incredibly excited and deeply grateful to announce that the Community Foundation of North Louisiana has awarded LVCC a generous $10,000 grant through the Travis White Fund.

Mr. White served during World War II where he received Special Commendation for his service as Commanding Officer for Minesweepers. After the war, he returned to Shreveport and worked as a trust officer for Commercial National Bank. His successful business career never overshadowed his commitment to the community. Travis was a member of every City Charter revision committee from the 1950s through the 1970s and played an important role in shaping Shreveport’s current City Council form of government. He had a particular concern for the "forgotten” people of Shreveport and believed that education could empower the disadvantaged.

As a result of his bequest, the fund has awarded 294 grants for a total of $8.3 million since it was established in 1992. This amazing investment will directly support our mission to provide free, life-changing adult education, HiSET/GED preparation, and literacy programs right here in our community. Partners like CFNLA make it possible for our students to open new doors, achieve their dreams, and build brighter futures.

If you are interested in supporting our mission, visit shreveportliteracy.org to become a donor or volunteer as a tutor today!

09/16/2026

Step Forward's NWLA Teen Advisory Committee (TAC), in partnership with Caddo Parish Public Schools, recently led a 988 Awareness Day campaign to increase awareness of teen mental wellness and help young people know where to turn when they or someone they care about needs support.

Through peer-to-peer education, engagement, and advocacy, TAC encouraged students to take the 988 Day Peer-to-Peer Pledge—committing to listen without judgment, show compassion, speak up when a friend may need support, learn about the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, ask for help when needed, and encourage others to do the same.

Northwood High School led the campaign with approximately 415 students signing the pledge—the highest participation among participating schools!

Participating schools included Booker T. Washington, Byrd, Caddo Magnet, Captain Shreve, Green Oaks, Huntington, North Caddo, Northwood, and Woodlawn.

As Carla Burgos, Director of Special Initiatives at CFNLA, shared, young people often understand their peers in ways adults may not. By giving teens the tools and opportunities to use their voices, TAC is helping young people become part of the solution and build stronger, more resilient communities.

📱988 is available 24/7. Call, text, or chat 988 to connect with trained crisis counselors.

TAC will continue its youth-led work focused on education, health, and civic engagement, with more campaigns, activities, and events promoting teen wellness, resilience, leadership, and connection throughout Caddo Parish.

09/15/2026

Please join CFNLA on Wednesday, September 23, for Community Counts 2026, our annual report on the quality of life in Shreveport-Bossier!

Dr. Dave Norris, Senior Vice President for Innovation and Advancement and the CEO of the University Foundation at Louisiana Tech University, will present this year’s data report card for Shreveport-Bossier.

The presentation will begin at 5:30 PM at Noel Memorial Library at LSU Shreveport. Light refreshments and beverages will be available.

While the event is free, we ask that you register at cfnla.org/events.

09/11/2026

25 years later, the nation marks 9/11 with moments of silence, adding a seventh to honor those lost to post-attack illnesses. All times are Eastern Daylight Time.

09/04/2026

CFNLA will be closed Monday, September 7, 2026, for Labor Day. Have a great weekend!

09/01/2026

Good News is here! Discover what the Community Foundation is up to this month. Link below.

Mark your calendars! Give For Good returns on May 4, 2027. Registration for nonprofits to participate in Give For Good 2027 opens on Monday, November 9, 2026, and closes on Friday, December 4, 2026. Participation is free for organizations, but they must register and be approved to take part. During....