What is Give For Good?

During Give For Good, everyone is a philanthropist. The online giving event is an interactive and exciting 24-hour online giving challenge led by Community Foundation of North Louisiana. This day of giving raises thousands of unrestricted dollars for North Louisiana organizations and brings community members together to celebrate nonprofits and the important work that they are doing.

In 2024, over $2.94 million was raised during Give For Good and went directly to nonprofit organizations. These funds came from more than 9,000 gifts and were distributed to 222 organizations. On top of these donations, nonprofits could also grow their pool by capturing a portion of our $230,000 Lagniappe Fund and competing for over $20,000 in prizes.

How does it work?

Beginning in November, North Louisiana nonprofits register for Give For Good and create their online profiles. Community members are then able to search all of these profiles and give to their favorite organizations, plus find new causes and groups they care about. All donations are processed through giveforgoodnla.org, which is set up and hosted by the Community Foundation. Donors, organizations, and the public can track giving progress throughout the day by checking out our leaderboard, which updates in real-time. When everyone comes together to Give For Good, the entire North Louisiana community wins.

When does Give For Good take place?

The 24-hour giving challenge takes place from midnight to midnight on the first Tuesday in May. Mark your calendars for May 6, 2025! Early giving begins on April 22, 2025.

What is Give For Good?

During Give For Good, everyone is a philanthropist. The online giving event is an interactive and exciting 24-hour online giving challenge led by Community Foundation of North Louisiana. This day of giving raises thousands of unrestricted dollars for North Louisiana organizations and brings community members together to celebrate nonprofits and the important work that they are doing.

In 2024, over $2.94 million was raised during Give For Good and went directly to nonprofit organizations. These funds came from more than 9,000 gifts and were distributed to 222 organizations. On top of these donations, nonprofits could also grow their pool by capturing a portion of our $230,000 Lagniappe Fund and competing for over $20,000 in prizes.

How does it work?

Beginning in November, North Louisiana nonprofits register for Give For Good and create their online profiles. Community members are then able to search all of these profiles and give to their favorite organizations, plus find new causes and groups they care about. All donations are processed through giveforgoodnla.org, which is set up and hosted by the Community Foundation. Donors, organizations, and the public can track giving progress throughout the day by checking out our leaderboard, which updates in real-time. When everyone comes together to Give For Good, the entire North Louisiana community wins.

When does Give For Good take place?

The 24-hour giving challenge takes place from midnight to midnight on the first Tuesday in May. Mark your calendars for May 6, 2025! Early giving begins on April 22, 2025.

What is the Lagniappe Fund?

The Lagniappe Fund is a pool of bonus dollars that is used to grow organizations' gifts. The Community Foundation secures these funds to be shared by all participating nonprofits receiving donations during Give For Good. The amount each organization receives from the Lagniappe Fund will be based on the overall percentage of funds raised during Give For Good. For example, if an organization raises 1% of the total funds collected, it will receive 1% of the Lagniappe Fund. Individual donations will qualify for the match up to a $10,000 limit to prevent substantial donations from skewing the allocation of the Lagniappe Fund.

Where does the Lagniappe Fund money come from?

The Lagniappe Fund is created from gifts made by local businesses, other supporting foundations, and generous donors. For a full list of Lagniappe Fund donors, please see our sponsors page. Individuals will also be able to give to the Lagniappe Fund during checkout on Give For Good day if desired.

How will each nonprofit's share of the Lagniappe Fund be calculated?

At the completion of Give For Good, CFNLA will determine each nonprofit's percentage of the Lagniappe Fund by dividing the total amount each nonprofit raised by the total amount of dollars raised by all participating nonprofits. This amount will then be multiplied by the total amount of dollars in the Lagniappe Fund. In other words, the percentage of the Lagniappe Fund received is equal to the percentage of the total funds donated on during Give For Good.

Reminder: the Lagniappe Fund is NOT a dollar-for-dollar match. Matching is determined post-event after all donations are received. Organizations must raise at least $500 to receive a portion of the Lagniappe Fund.

What other prizes and bonus dollars are available to nonprofits?

Over $20,000 is up for grabs through Give For Good prizes. There are three categories of additional prizes and funds that can be awarded to participating organizations: pre-event, post-event, and giving day. Examples of prizes include: Facebook contests, Awards for most individual donors, Awards for most donors in a specified time frame, Randomly-selected Golden Tickets.

Organizations will be given a full list of prizes and qualifications prior to the event and donors can keep up with the winners on the Leaderboard and the Community Foundation's Facebook page.

What is the Lagniappe Fund?

The Lagniappe Fund is a pool of bonus dollars that is used to grow organizations' gifts. The Community Foundation secures these funds to be shared by all participating nonprofits receiving donations during Give For Good. The amount each organization receives from the Lagniappe Fund will be based on the overall percentage of funds raised during Give For Good. For example, if an organization raises 1% of the total funds collected, it will receive 1% of the Lagniappe Fund. Individual donations will qualify for the match up to a $10,000 limit to prevent substantial donations from skewing the allocation of the Lagniappe Fund.

Where does the Lagniappe Fund money come from?

The Lagniappe Fund is created from gifts made by local businesses, other supporting foundations, and generous donors. For a full list of Lagniappe Fund donors, please see our sponsors page. Individuals will also be able to give to the Lagniappe Fund during checkout on Give For Good day if desired.

How will each nonprofit's share of the Lagniappe Fund be calculated?

At the completion of Give For Good, CFNLA will determine each nonprofit's percentage of the Lagniappe Fund by dividing the total amount each nonprofit raised by the total amount of dollars raised by all participating nonprofits. This amount will then be multiplied by the total amount of dollars in the Lagniappe Fund. In other words, the percentage of the Lagniappe Fund received is equal to the percentage of the total funds donated on during Give For Good.

Reminder: the Lagniappe Fund is NOT a dollar-for-dollar match. Matching is determined post-event after all donations are received. Organizations must raise at least $500 to receive a portion of the Lagniappe Fund.

What other prizes and bonus dollars are available to nonprofits?

Over $20,000 is up for grabs through Give For Good prizes. There are three categories of additional prizes and funds that can be awarded to participating organizations: pre-event, post-event, and giving day. Examples of prizes include: Facebook contests, Awards for most individual donors, Awards for most donors in a specified time frame, Randomly-selected Golden Tickets.

Organizations will be given a full list of prizes and qualifications prior to the event and donors can keep up with the winners on the Leaderboard and the Community Foundation's Facebook page.

Who can make a donation on Give For Good?

Everyone! Our online donors represent a wide range of locations, interests, and backgrounds. Anyone can make a donation for as little as $10. You do not have to live in North Louisiana to donate. In fact, we encourage nonprofits to identify donors in all 50 states!

How can I make a donation?

Between April 22 and May 6, simply go to giveforgoodnla.org, discover organizations and causes that are meaningful to you, and use your credit card to make a donation. Donations can be any size, from $10 and up. You can also add multiple organizations to your cart and make several gifts at once! A receipt, which serves as your tax-deductible letter, will be emailed to you immediately.

What payment methods are available?

Donations must be made through the giveforgoodnla.org site - online payment methods available on the site during the event include credit/debit, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Paypal/Venmo, ACH. For donations over $50, the website offers donors the option to submit payment through their bank account (ACH) through Plaid. This could save them money on transaction fees. For donors who give via their bank account, credit card processing fees will be replaced by a 1% transaction fee, plus a $1.50 fixed fee per transaction (total ACH processing fees will be capped at $5.00). Platform fee will still apply.

What forms of payment are NOT accepted?

Donations via check, cash, or stock will not be accepted. Gifts made directly to the charity outside of giveforgoodnla.org during the giving event do not count toward Give For Good totals and will not be eligible for Lagniappe Funds.

Can my organization set up a match during Give for Good? 

Yes! Please review this support article to learn more about matching grants and how to set up a match for your organization during the event. 

I have a Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. Can I use it for Give For Good?

Yes, donations using a donor-advised fund at CFNLA can be recommended in advance. Donations made via a donor-advised fund will not be subject to the processing fees, therefore 100% of your donation will go to the nonprofit(s). To set up a donor-advised fund or make a gift from your fund, please contact the Foundation office: 318-221-0582 or info@cfnla.org.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes! You will automatically receive an email confirming the gift from Community Foundation of North Louisiana and will be instructed to save the email for tax purposes. Please note that by selecting a specific organization to receive your donation, your gift is reserved for that charity and will not be given to any other charity. Funds received by nonprofits are unrestricted, therefore you cannot designate your donation for a specific program, but will be giving to the organization at large.

Can I pay for my memberships or event tickets through Give For Good?

No. Donors cannot receive any benefits for donating through Give For Good. All gifts made through Give For Good are 100% tax-deductible and receipts/letters for these deductions are issued immediately. Per IRS code, any benefits received are not tax-deductible. The Community Foundation will not itemize deductions, therefore nonprofits are not allowed to offer benefits for any funds received through Give For Good.

In addition, donors cannot be entered into a drawing or raffle if they donate to a nonprofit during Give For Good. Drawings are considered a "game of chance" by the IRS and regardless of whether they win or not, their donation would then not be tax-deductible. Donations may not be used to pay for anything that might be perceived as a material benefit to the donor, advisor, or other disqualified person - including dinner tickets, membership fees, golf fees, admission tickets, or other gifts.

Furthermore, organizations cannot offer premiums or entice donors by providing free goods or services at an event on Give For Good day in exchange for a donation. Many organizations host fundraising events and parties to showcase their work, which is allowed and encouraged by the Community Foundation. While it is acceptable to have giveaways at events, these items cannot be given out with the stipulation that a donation must be made.

What are the minimum and maximum donation amounts?

The minimum donation amount is $10. There is no maximum donation, but only donations up to $10,000 will receive a portion of the Lagniappe Fund. For example, if a donor gives $25,000, only $10,000 of that gift will count toward Lagniappe Fund calculations. This limit is to prevent substantial donations from skewing the allocation of the Lagniappe Fund. All gifts made on giveforgoodnla.org are non-refundable.

How much of my donation goes to the nonprofit?

There is a 2.8% processing fee from our online platform provider, Mightycause Giving Days, and an approximate 2.5% + $0.30 credit card processing fee to cover transaction costs and disbursement processing by the Mightycause Charitable Foundation. This leaves approximately 95% of each donation going to the nonprofit designated by the donor. As a donor, you can elect to help cover the fees during checkout. Community Foundation of North Louisiana does not receive any portion of the transaction fees or dollars donated to the organizations. 

Does the Community Foundation receive any portion of the donations?

No, the Community Foundation does not receive any portion of the Mightycause Giving Days fee or the credit card processing fee. In addition, CFNLA will not be eligible for any donations through Give For Good. CFNLA receives no proceeds but hosts this annual event to further its mission to enhance the quality of life in North Louisiana. 

Is my gift and information secure?

Yes. The giveforgoodnla.org website is powered by Mightycause and is a secure PCI-Level 1 compliant site for donating to your favorite charities. The Community Foundation does not retain credit card information and your personal data will not be shared with or sold to any outside vendors or third parties.

How will my email address and personal information be used?

Your email address will be used to transmit electronic tax receipt(s) for donations made through Give For Good, as well as a post-event survey. Unless you choose to give anonymously, your name, email address, and billing address will be shared with the organization(s) to which your donations will be credited.

The Community Foundation does not retain credit card information and your personal data will not be shared with or sold to any outside vendors or third parties. The Community Foundation may send periodic communication about special giving opportunities or events. You may unsubscribe from these emails at any time.

Can I authorize a third party to submit a donation on my behalf?

Each donor who enters their own credit card information directly on the Give For Good website is entering his/her data into a secure web portal. Sponsors of Give For Good assume no liability for credit/debit card information provided by the donor to a third party (e.g. organization staff member or volunteer).

Who can make a donation on Give For Good?

Everyone! Our online donors represent a wide range of locations, interests, and backgrounds. Anyone can make a donation for as little as $10. You do not have to live in North Louisiana to donate. In fact, we encourage nonprofits to identify donors in all 50 states!

How can I make a donation?

Between April 22 and May 6, simply go to giveforgoodnla.org, discover organizations and causes that are meaningful to you, and use your credit card to make a donation. Donations can be any size, from $10 and up. You can also add multiple organizations to your cart and make several gifts at once! A receipt, which serves as your tax-deductible letter, will be emailed to you immediately.

What payment methods are available?

Donations must be made through the giveforgoodnla.org site - online payment methods available on the site during the event include credit/debit, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Paypal/Venmo, ACH. For donations over $50, the website offers donors the option to submit payment through their bank account (ACH) through Plaid. This could save them money on transaction fees. For donors who give via their bank account, credit card processing fees will be replaced by a 1% transaction fee, plus a $1.50 fixed fee per transaction (total ACH processing fees will be capped at $5.00). Platform fee will still apply.

What forms of payment are NOT accepted?

Donations via check, cash, or stock will not be accepted. Gifts made directly to the charity outside of giveforgoodnla.org during the giving event do not count toward Give For Good totals and will not be eligible for Lagniappe Funds.

Can my organization set up a match during Give for Good? 

Yes! Please review this support article to learn more about matching grants and how to set up a match for your organization during the event. 

I have a Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. Can I use it for Give For Good?

Yes, donations using a donor-advised fund at CFNLA can be recommended in advance. Donations made via a donor-advised fund will not be subject to the processing fees, therefore 100% of your donation will go to the nonprofit(s). To set up a donor-advised fund or make a gift from your fund, please contact the Foundation office: 318-221-0582 or info@cfnla.org.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes! You will automatically receive an email confirming the gift from Community Foundation of North Louisiana and will be instructed to save the email for tax purposes. Please note that by selecting a specific organization to receive your donation, your gift is reserved for that charity and will not be given to any other charity. Funds received by nonprofits are unrestricted, therefore you cannot designate your donation for a specific program, but will be giving to the organization at large.

Can I pay for my memberships or event tickets through Give For Good?

No. Donors cannot receive any benefits for donating through Give For Good. All gifts made through Give For Good are 100% tax-deductible and receipts/letters for these deductions are issued immediately. Per IRS code, any benefits received are not tax-deductible. The Community Foundation will not itemize deductions, therefore nonprofits are not allowed to offer benefits for any funds received through Give For Good.

In addition, donors cannot be entered into a drawing or raffle if they donate to a nonprofit during Give For Good. Drawings are considered a "game of chance" by the IRS and regardless of whether they win or not, their donation would then not be tax-deductible. Donations may not be used to pay for anything that might be perceived as a material benefit to the donor, advisor, or other disqualified person - including dinner tickets, membership fees, golf fees, admission tickets, or other gifts.

Furthermore, organizations cannot offer premiums or entice donors by providing free goods or services at an event on Give For Good day in exchange for a donation. Many organizations host fundraising events and parties to showcase their work, which is allowed and encouraged by the Community Foundation. While it is acceptable to have giveaways at events, these items cannot be given out with the stipulation that a donation must be made.

What are the minimum and maximum donation amounts?

The minimum donation amount is $10. There is no maximum donation, but only donations up to $10,000 will receive a portion of the Lagniappe Fund. For example, if a donor gives $25,000, only $10,000 of that gift will count toward Lagniappe Fund calculations. This limit is to prevent substantial donations from skewing the allocation of the Lagniappe Fund. All gifts made on giveforgoodnla.org are non-refundable.

How much of my donation goes to the nonprofit?

There is a 2.8% processing fee from our online platform provider, Mightycause Giving Days, and an approximate 2.5% + $0.30 credit card processing fee to cover transaction costs and disbursement processing by the Mightycause Charitable Foundation. This leaves approximately 95% of each donation going to the nonprofit designated by the donor. As a donor, you can elect to help cover the fees during checkout. Community Foundation of North Louisiana does not receive any portion of the transaction fees or dollars donated to the organizations. 

Does the Community Foundation receive any portion of the donations?

No, the Community Foundation does not receive any portion of the Mightycause Giving Days fee or the credit card processing fee. In addition, CFNLA will not be eligible for any donations through Give For Good. CFNLA receives no proceeds but hosts this annual event to further its mission to enhance the quality of life in North Louisiana. 

Is my gift and information secure?

Yes. The giveforgoodnla.org website is powered by Mightycause and is a secure PCI-Level 1 compliant site for donating to your favorite charities. The Community Foundation does not retain credit card information and your personal data will not be shared with or sold to any outside vendors or third parties.

How will my email address and personal information be used?

Your email address will be used to transmit electronic tax receipt(s) for donations made through Give For Good, as well as a post-event survey. Unless you choose to give anonymously, your name, email address, and billing address will be shared with the organization(s) to which your donations will be credited.

The Community Foundation does not retain credit card information and your personal data will not be shared with or sold to any outside vendors or third parties. The Community Foundation may send periodic communication about special giving opportunities or events. You may unsubscribe from these emails at any time.

Can I authorize a third party to submit a donation on my behalf?

Each donor who enters their own credit card information directly on the Give For Good website is entering his/her data into a secure web portal. Sponsors of Give For Good assume no liability for credit/debit card information provided by the donor to a third party (e.g. organization staff member or volunteer).

How are organizations selected to participate in Give For Good?

Any North Louisiana organization that is a 501(c)(3) public charity and has received a ruling letter from the IRS stating the entity is a qualified recipient of tax-deductible gifts is welcome to register for Give For Good. An organization must also be current in its filings with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Only organizations that are located in and serve one or more of the following North Louisiana parishes are eligible: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Red River, Sabine, Union, or Webster.

Does Community Foundation of North Louisiana endorse each participating nonprofit's charitable purpose and programs?

While the Community Foundation does verify the charitable status of every nonprofit that participates in Give For Good, the Foundation does not screen or select organizations on the basis of their charitable purposes or their missions. Give For Good eligibility is based solely on providing services in North Louisiana and an organization's current status as a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. Therefore, approval of an organization's participation in Give For Good does not constitute an endorsement of the organization or its mission by the Community Foundation.

We encourage donors to research which organizations align with their values and provide services that they care about. Each nonprofit's Give For Good profile includes a link to their website and/or social pages to provide you with more detailed information on the organization's mission and use of its charitable dollars. Donors can also use our free 990 search tool to learn more about each organization's financials.

How can I find out more information about Give For Good?

Contact the Community Foundation at 318-221-0582 or email giveforgood@cfnla.org.

How are organizations selected to participate in Give For Good?

Any North Louisiana organization that is a 501(c)(3) public charity and has received a ruling letter from the IRS stating the entity is a qualified recipient of tax-deductible gifts is welcome to register for Give For Good. An organization must also be current in its filings with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Only organizations that are located in and serve one or more of the following North Louisiana parishes are eligible: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Red River, Sabine, Union, or Webster.

Does Community Foundation of North Louisiana endorse each participating nonprofit's charitable purpose and programs?

While the Community Foundation does verify the charitable status of every nonprofit that participates in Give For Good, the Foundation does not screen or select organizations on the basis of their charitable purposes or their missions. Give For Good eligibility is based solely on providing services in North Louisiana and an organization's current status as a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity. Therefore, approval of an organization's participation in Give For Good does not constitute an endorsement of the organization or its mission by the Community Foundation.

We encourage donors to research which organizations align with their values and provide services that they care about. Each nonprofit's Give For Good profile includes a link to their website and/or social pages to provide you with more detailed information on the organization's mission and use of its charitable dollars. Donors can also use our free 990 search tool to learn more about each organization's financials.

How can I find out more information about Give For Good?

Contact the Community Foundation at 318-221-0582 or email giveforgood@cfnla.org.