Acadiana Gives

This evening, three of Acadiana’s most active champions of philanthropy will be honored at the UL Alumni Center. The annual event has honored some of Acadiana’s most generous citizens over the years including Paul and LuLu Hilliard, Robert Trahan, Alfred Lamson, Greg Trahan, Sharon Moss, Bo Ramsay, Jackie Edgar, Junior League of Lafayette, Acadiana Outreach Center, United Way of Acadiana, Woman’s Foundation, Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Chitimacha Louisiana Open, Special Children’s Foundation, Joe Klutts, Earlene Branton, Madlyn Ackal Boustany, Phena Guidry, Dr. Francis Boustany, Nancy and Brudley Kibodeaux (awarded posthumously), and James Prince.

The Planned Giving Council will give its annual awards at this evening’s reception. Jim and Charlotte Doyle are being recognized as the 2009 Outstanding Philanthropists for their generosity to Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana and countless other organizations.

Stuller Family Foundation is being recognized as the 2009 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization for their donations totaling $30 million for charitable purposes to improve our community.

Finally, Nicole Jones is being recognized as the 2009 Outstanding Fund Raising Volunteer for her four years of service to the Acadiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For more information about the Planned Giving Council of Acadiana and its activities, click here.

LANO is hosting an “Extreme Grant Makeover” training in Lafayette on November 17 at the Woman’s Foundation. Organizations who need some help and advice in their grant applications should consider attending.

The training is provided at no cost due to a sponsorship by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and the Louisiana Recovery Authority. For more information about registration, contact Kim (225.929.5266).

Click here to register for the training.

We’re all excited about the beautiful weather, and we have several more great excuses to spend your Saturday out in the community.

Healing House will host its 2nd annual Family Adventure Day tomorrow, and this is an experience not to be missed! Families spend the day together doing fun activities around Lafayette, and all proceeds benefit Healing House. For more information, call the Healing House at 234-0443.

The Evangeline Area Boy Scouts are bringing dodgeball to the community tomorrow as well! Opening ceremonies begin at 10 AM at Comeaux High School, and there are some great teams that are sure to compete for a spot in the finals and have a few laughs along the way.

Also available is Women’s and Children’s Hospital softball tournament at Picard Park in Milton to benefit United Way of Acadiana. Contact Shelly Lee at 521-9110 for more information.

Whichever one you choose, there are some great options to be out helping our community this weekend.

Using Facebook (and other tools) to promote your organization is gaining in popularity, and several interesting developments are worth reading about.

Facebook’s Causes application has partnered with Network for Good, Parade and the Case Foundation to engage in an interesting giving challenge that you can read all about here. America’s Giving Challenge lasts for 30 days until November 6, 2009. Let us know if your organization decides to participate.

Today’s Chronicle of Philanthropy’s online discussion featured a conversation about using Facebook to promote your organization. Read the article here.

And earlier this month, Jaci Russo of The Russo Group began teaching a class to nonprofits in Acadiana about social media tools. The class is sponsored by the Stuller Family Foundation.

Organizations hoping to be featured in the 2009 Giving Back catalog must complete their applications by Tuesday, September 15th. Applications can be downloaded from the Community Foundation of Acadiana site (www.cfacadiana.org/nonprofits).

Organizations are required to submit a DonorSense pre-profile with their applications if they have not already. If you have any questions, contact Carlee (337.266.2145).

The Junior League of Lafayette is currently accepting grant applications through October 16, 2009. Focus areas include programs that better the lives of women and children within the Acadiana community. If your nonprofit organization is interested in seeking a grant, please contact Maggie Simar, Grants Chair, at msimar@16jdc.org or visit www.juniorleagueoflafayette.com for information and an application.

Rhythms on the River Fall 2009

Community Foundation of Acadiana has once again partnered with River Ranch Institute to feature philanthropic organizations during the successful Rhythms on the River concert series. The schedule of featured organizations is listed below.

September 24- Faith House
October 1- Evangeline Area Boy Scouts
October 8- American Cancer Society
October 15- Animal Rescue Foundation
October 22- Susan G. Komen Acadiana
October 29- D.R.E.A.M.S. Foundation
November 5- Lafayette Ballet Theater
November 12- Affiliated Blind

Join us in two weeks for the first night of the fall series!

Our community is honoring the women in our community and looking for more to celebrate.

The Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women, Woman’s Foundation, Inc. and The Daily Advertiser are sponsoring the 15th Annual Women of Excellence Awards. The awards luncheon will be held on Fri., Oct. 9, 11:00am – 1:00pm, at the Vermilion Ballroom, River Oaks Event Center. For fifteen years, the Commission has honored women who have attained outstanding levels of achievement and whose contributions have made a significant impact upon the lives of our citizens.

Rebekah R. Huggins, president of the Lafayette Bar Association, will be this year’s keynote speaker. Her presentation will be “Women and the Law: No One Gives Us Power, We Just Take It”.

Those being honored are Marcelle Fortier Citron, Founders Award; Andree’ (Andy) Begneaud, R. Josseline Belizaire, M.D. and Sharon Jones, Business/Industry/Professional; Dalta Gary, Deborah Johnson, M.D., Dianne LeBlanc, Nonprofit; Martha Ann Guidry Bryant, Thetis Cusimano and Porsha Evans, Public Service.

Woman’s Foundation, Inc. will also present the Care and Concern for Women and Families Award. This honor is given annually to a nonprofit organization that has dedicated itself to improving the lives of women and families in our community. This year’s recipient is The Healing House.

Tickets are $30 and must be purchased by Friday, October 1 before 4:30pm. To purchase tickets call Sandra Moore, at (337) 291-8447.

Faith House is preparing to present new royalty to the Acadiana Community at the annual Queen’s Gala on Thursday, June 10, 2010, and they need your help! They are now accepting nominations for Acadiana’s Woman of the Year as well as Acadiana’s Lady of the Year! Write a letter telling us why you believe a certain woman deserves the honor of holding either title. The only requirement is that she has previously helped women and children or is presently helping them in the Acadiana area. The Queen must be 36 years or older and the Lady must be 35 years or younger. If you have any questions, please call Faith House at 267-9422.

The Planned Giving Council of Acadiana (PGCA) has released their nominations for the 2009 Philanthropy Day Awards.

The awards recognize an outstanding philanthropist, an outstanding philanthropic organization, and an outstanding fund raising volunteer. They are presented in conjunction with National Philanthropy Day, and this year will be presented in a ceremony at the UL Alumni Center on November 10.

Last year’s recipients were Jackie Edgar for outstanding philanthropist, Special Children’s Foundation for outstanding philanthropic organization, and Jim Prince for outstanding fund raising volunteer.

Applications are being accepted through Friday, September 11th. Click here to go to the PGCA website and download a nomination form. For more information, contact Sarah Berthelot (337.706.1221) or Carlee Alm-LaBar (337.266.2377), Philanthropy Day Co-Chairs.