Grants & Scholarships

Expanding Access to Catholic Education and Ministries

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance."

– Proverbs 1:5

Education and ministry are essential to the Church’s mission, yet financial barriers often stand in the way. The Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana (CLFA) provides scholarships, competitive grants, and donor-advised fund distributions to help students, families, and parishes focus on faith, learning, and service without financial hardship.


By supporting grants and scholarships, you help transform lives and sustain the Church’s future, ensuring that Catholic education and ministries thrive for generations.

Scholarships & Grants

Catholic education nurtures academic excellence, moral values, and spiritual growth, yet many families and church parishes struggle with affordability. CLFA manages scholarship endowments that support students in Catholic schools and post-secondary education.


If you are passionate about helping Catholic students, CLFA can help you establish a scholarship endowment or contribute to an existing fund.

Get Started

Scholarships

  • Existing Scholarships

    • George Simon Catholic Educational Endowment — Scholarship aid to needy students and funding for religious education programs at Our Lady of Sacred Heart in Church Point, Assumption in Franklin, St. Peter in Morrow, Our Lady of Mercy in Opelousas and St. Martin dePorres in Scott
    • J.W.M. Educational Endowment — Supports students at Catholic High in New Iberia, St. Edward School in New Iberia, St. Peter School in Gueydan, and St. Edmund School in Eunice.
    • Msgr. Fuselier Endowed Scholarships  — Provides matching grants to financially needy families.
    • Father Harold J. Trahan & Friends Scholarship for African American Catholics — Supports African-American Catholic students pursuing post secondary education.

  • Other Educational Endowments

    • Catholic Foundation Endowment for Lay Education — For the education, formation and development of the laity
    • Fuselier Continuing Education Endowment — Continuing education of clergy
    • School Teachers Endowment — Provides for salaries and benefits for teachers at Catholic schools

Scholarship Awards

Scholarships are awarded to educational institutions, not directly to students, per IRS regulations. Selection is based on criteria outlined in gift agreements.

Competitive Grants

The Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana distributes grants from unrestricted and field-of-interest endowments through a competitive process. CLFA grants support:


  • Vocations and spiritual care
  • Human services and outreach 
  • Historic church building preservation
  • Catholic education


For example, the Matthew 25 Endowment Fund supports church parishes providing essential human services to those in need. Unfortunately, 25% of grant requests go unfunded due to limited resources.


If you’d like to expand our grant pool by contributing to an existing fund or starting your own, contact us at(337) 261-5642 or mtrahan@CLFAinc.org.

Grants from Donor Advised Funds

Make an impact effortlessly. CLFA manages donor-advised funds, allowing you to recommend grants at any time, with a minimum grant of $500 per recipient. Eligible recipients include:


  • Catholic churches, ministries, and schools
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations aligned with Catholic values


IRS Guidelines for Donor-Advised Fund Grants:


  • Cannot cover membership dues or personal pledges
  • Cannot provide material benefits (event tickets, gifts, etc.)
  • Cannot be issued directly to individuals


Unless anonymity is requested, CLFA informs recipients of the donor’s generosity, encouraging acknowledgment of the faithful stewards who make these grants possible.

Start Your Legacy Today

Are you ready to help expand our grant pool by contributing to a scholarship or grant?


Phone (337) 261-5642 | Email mtrahan@CLFAinc.org | Contact Us