“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:11).
Our faith teaches us the importance of deep gratitude and a generous heart. As Catholics, being generous and expressing gratitude is innately in our hearts connecting us to God. We are called to receive the Lord’s gifts in our lives as well as share our gifts through prayer and service to our neighbors, community and one another. Defining and leaving a Catholic legacy is a great way to lead by example and share the blessings God has bestowed on you throughout your life to the ministries you love so dearly. Considering the ways you and your family want to be philanthropic can be overwhelming. There are many nonprofits and causes that need the support of the community and deciding where and how to give can feel like a stressful task. However, foundations can help you through this process.
The Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana (CFSL) is different than typical nonprofits in that it makes your philanthropic vision a reality by offering you opportunities to create funds and distribute grants to the organizations you care about throughout the year making a significant difference to these organizations. The CFSL makes it even easier to achieve your charitable goals while positively impacting the greater community. There is no need to create a private family foundation, the CFSL works directly with donors to identify the causes important to them. This means that you can immediately begin giving to the organizations that mean the most to you. By listening to their donors’ charitable goals, our team is able to help pinpoint the best giving vehicles through which to achieve these philanthropic desires.
The CFSL has a variety of different funds to choose from, including donor advised funds and endowment funds; and depending on your goals the CFSL can even provide the correct language to help you give through your will. These philanthropic vehicles are here to make giving back easier and increase the benefits to both the donor and the community. These different funds allow the donor to know their contributions are being professionally managed according to Catholic social teachings, and that their gifts are tax deductible.
The CFSL is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) organization that spiritually and financially enhances and sustains the charitable, educational and pastoral ministries of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The CFSL offers donors philanthropic expertise, faith-based priorities, and morally and socially responsible investing standards. Our donors receive not only tax benefits but also the assurance that their gifts are effectively managed by our professional staff. We look forward to working with our Catholic faithful to foster their generosity and make giving easy while defining their Catholic legacy!
Interested in learning more about the CFSL? Please contact me at [email protected] for more information. (Amy Ponson is the executive director for the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana.)