Grants

All of our work at The Rapides Foundation revolves around our Mission to improve the health status of Central Louisiana.

Projects must directly benefit residents or organizations within the Foundation's nine-parish service area: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn. Grant proposals are accepted through a Request for Proposals process which aligns with our priority areas.

Our three areas of focus and objectives in each area are:

  • Healthy People: To improve access to healthcare and to promote healthy behaviors.
  • Education: To increase the level of educational attainment and achievement as the primary path to improved economic, social and health status.
  • Healthy Communities: To improve economic opportunity and family income; and enhance civic and community opportunities for more effective leaders and organizations.

Funding Opportunities

Strengthening Families Grant

The grant proposal submission period for the Strengthening Families Grant is open. Follow the link for details.

Workforce Opportunity Grant

The grant proposal submission period is open. Follow the link below for details.

Cenla Early Childhood Education Access Program Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed.

Youth Volunteer Summer Service Grant

The grant proposal submission period for the 2024 Youth Volunteer Summer Service Grant is closed.

Healthy Behaviors School District Partnership Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed. 

District Grant for Effective Schools

The proposal submission period for the 2024-25 District Grant for Effective Schools is closed. 

Youth Volunteer School District Grant

The 2024-2025 Youth Volunteer School District Grant funding opportunity is closed.

Reconnecting Cenla Program Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed. 

Healthy Behaviors Initiative Program Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed. 

Healthy Behaviors Mini Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed.

Integrated Behavioral Health Implementation Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed. 

Future of Health C.A.R.E. Program

The grant proposal submission period is closed.

Healthcare Occupations Program Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed.

Integrated Behavioral Health Assessment and Planning Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed.

Substance and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program Grant

The grant submission period is closed.

Healthcare Quality Improvement Grant

The grant proposal submission period is closed.

Additional Information

Grant proposals are accepted through a Request for Proposals process which aligns with our focus areas. The Rapides Foundation is not accepting unsolicited proposals at this time. It is the role of The Rapides Foundation Program Staff to assist you in understanding the Foundation’s funding opportunities and areas of focus. Importantly, it is the role of Program Staff to assist you in putting forward the most competitive written proposal possible. We encourage you to contact The Rapides Foundation Program Department prior to developing or submitting a grant proposal. Contact the Foundation’s Program Department at 318-443-3394 or toll free at 800-994-3394.

The Rapides Foundation awards grants to organizations which are tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and are not a private foundation as described under Section 509(a). Specific Requests for Proposals may include additional eligibility requirements.

Grant decisions are made through the combined effort of the Budget and Grants Committee of the Board of Trustees and the full Board. Staff provide recommendations to the Budget and Grants Committee based upon some or all of the following procedures: analysis of the written proposal; consultation with experienced program leaders and researchers in the field; site visits and meetings with project staff and Board; and experience with your organization or contributing personnel on prior grants.

The Rapides Foundation excludes the following from funding consideration:

  • Direct support to individuals.
  • Private foundations.
  • For-profit entities.
  • Conferences or symposia established prior to 1995.
  • Disease-specific organizations seeking support for national projects or programs.
  • Hospitals.
  • Projects or programs of religious, fraternal, athletic or veterans groups when the primary beneficiaries of such undertakings would be their members.
  • Social events or similar fundraising activities.
  • Telethons.
  • Operating expenses which are not used for significantly expanding the services of organizations currently in operation.
  • Grant awards for an indeterminate period of time.
  • Vans or other vehicles.
  • Building purchase or renovation not explicitly linked to enhanced programmatic implementation or development.
  • Equipment purchase not explicitly linked to enhanced programmatic implementation or development.

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