As a volunteer for Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, I have witnessed everything they do to support the community. From donating to the local food bank to awarding scholarships, planting trees and supporting cultural programs, this nonprofit organization has made a huge impact on the community. Since 2008, more than $100,000 has gone toward five cultural initiatives the festival supports (music, art, language, food and beautification of Girard Park). The festival also works with several other nonprofits to staff its volunteer efforts and donates up to $3,000 to those organizations each year.
As part of a five-pronged philanthropic mission and due to increased financial stability, beginning in 2008
Festivals Acadiens has been able to invest back into the Cajun and Creole art forms that
have been a staple of the Festival since its inception over 4 decades ago. Girard Park has
been the Festival’s home since 1976, and beautification of the park has become part of that
mission. The four other areas the Festival supports include music, art, language and food.
Since 2008, more than $85,000 has gone toward these five cultural initiatives.
Organizers expect to top the $100,000 mark by the end of 2017.
recent philanthropic initiatives
• $1,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank in 2016
• Scholarships in the amount of $5,850 to assist musicians & artists in attending
Université Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia
• $1,050 for planting of 50 fruit trees in Girard Park with the Boy Scouts Evangeline
Area Council, which included the mulching of numerous trees as well
as $15,000 in additional funding to mulch trees over the years
• $15,725 to the UL Lafayette Folklore Department for operations support
• Sponsor of “La Belle Vie” single & video featuring Zachary Richard with French
Immersion students from North Lewis Elementary in New Iberia
• $5,000 to Louisiana Folk Roots Annual Music Camp
• $1,000 to Chef Nicholas Glenn to help with travel expenses to the American
Pavilion Student Culinary Program at the Cannes Film Festival
• Since reforming the board in 2008 and restructuring finances, Festivals Acadiens works with a
number of nonprofits in exchange for the manpower needed to implement the festival each year.
These organizations include TRAIL, the Acadiana Writing Project, Elementary French Immersion
Program and the UL Biology Society, and have received $22,250 to date from Festivals Acadiens to
assist in fulfilling their missions.
Students
Review from Guidestar