FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alexandria, LA – June 12, 2025 – Central Louisiana Community Foundation announced it has been selected to participate in GivingTuesday’s inaugural Community Campaign Accelerator cohort. The Central Louisiana Community Foundation is among 36 community foundations and their affiliates across Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee chosen for the three-year capacity building program designed to strengthen civic engagement and collective giving across the South.
The selection of Central Louisiana Community Foundation comes at a time when Central Louisiana faces persistent challenges such as high poverty rates, limited access to resources in rural communities, and increasing disconnection among neighbors. At the same time, the region is rich in generosity, cultural heritage, and a deep-rooted spirit of service.
Through participation in GivingTuesday’s Community Campaign Accelerator program, the Central Louisiana Community Foundation will be better equipped to address local needs through additional community engagement efforts and collective giving initiatives. The full list of cohort members is available on GivingTuesday’s website: www.givingtuesday.org
Against a backdrop of declining civic engagement and record levels of isolation and loneliness nationwide, the Community Campaign Accelerator intends to address the critical needs of communities. Despite these trends, research from GivingTuesday Data Commons GivingPulse survey, a weekly survey of Americans that tracks generous actions and beliefs, reveals that a majority of Americans across political divides and backgrounds share a strong and persistent desire to help one another and strengthen their communities through generosity and collaboration.
“We are honored to be part of this inaugural cohort and excited to bring this national energy for generosity home to Central Louisiana,” said Emily McGruder, President and CEO of the Central Louisiana Community Foundation. “Our region is full of people who care deeply and give generously, and this opportunity allows us to amplify that spirit, spark new connections, and invite even more people to be part of building a stronger, more connected community.”
GivingTuesday’s Community Campaign Accelerator builds on GivingTuesday’s proven success over the past 13 years. GivingTuesday Community Campaigns currently cover roughly ⅓ of US, and communities with these campaigns see:
• a 90% increase in local giving compared to communities without campaigns
• 85% growth in donor engagement
• donors who give 20% more and stay engaged longer.
“We’re excited to work alongside Central Louisiana Community Foundation and the other exceptional community foundations in this cohort,” said Asha Curran, chief executive officer of GivingTuesday. “When we harness collective generosity, we inspire civic engagement and welcome everyone into community building. That increases trust and connection and ultimately builds civic space.”
The three-year program, made possible through funding from the Fidelity Charitable® Catalyst Fund, will equip 36 community foundations and their affiliates including Central Louisiana Community Foundation with tools, training, and support needed to run effective and impactful GivingTuesday Community Campaigns and other year round collective giving efforts.
Through its participation in the Accelerator program, Central Louisiana Community Foundation will expand the reach of its new giving platform, Share CENLA—a year-round hub for local generosity—by launching a region-wide GivingTuesday campaign.
Share CENLA not only increases awareness of community needs and enables secure online donations, but also allows nonprofits to share volunteer opportunities, promote events, and post Amazon wishlists. It’s the perfect way for individuals to give their time, talent, and treasure, helping to strengthen connections and inspire a more generous, civically engaged Central Louisiana.
For more information, visit www.clcf.net or contact cenlacf@clcf.net.