$2,500 - $5,000 awards for folks connecting Central Louisiana

Some people naturally bring communities together. They are the neighbors, volunteers, advocates, and local leaders people know and trust — the ones who help connect others when there is a need, a challenge to solve, or an opportunity to make their community stronger. They show up for others, build relationships, and create spaces where people feel connected and valued.

They are Community Weavers.

You probably know a Community Weaver — and you may even be one yourself.

What is weaving?

Weaving is the practice of building meaningful relationships that set the conditions for social trust to grow in communities.

It begins with a simple commitment: to see one another as equal in dignity, even when experiences and viewpoints differ.

Weaving invites people to:

• Discover what they have in common
• Learn how their differences can make the community stronger
• Work side by side toward common good.

Weaving can be formal or informal, and it is characterized by four qualities:

• Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region
• Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive
• Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are
• Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards celebrate and support everyday community leaders who bring people together and strengthen the social fabric of Central Louisiana. These individuals build trust, create connections, and foster a sense of belonging by helping neighbors work together to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Through the Weaver Awards, the Central Louisiana Community Foundation will provide $2,500 - $5,000 grants to individuals leading community-centered projects that connect people, encourage participation, and strengthen relationships. Whether through food, art, mentorship, service, storytelling, culture, recreation, or other activities, Weaver Award recipients are creating stronger, more connected communities one relationship at a time.

Why are we launching the Weaver Awards in Central Louisiana?

Strong communities are built on strong relationships. Across Central Louisiana, we see people working every day to bring neighbors together, bridge differences, and create opportunities for connection. These efforts often happen quietly, but they are essential to building trust, strengthening civic engagement, and creating communities where people feel they belong.

By investing in Community Weavers, we are supporting the individuals who help build trust, foster collaboration, and create the relationships that make communities more resilient, engaged, and equipped to solve problems together.

The Weaver Awards are an investment in the people who are strengthening the social fabric of Central Louisiana and helping create a more connected future for our region.

What will you get if you become a Weaver Awardee?

Community Weaver Awardees will receive a grant ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support their community-building efforts and help expand the impact of their work. Awardees will also be recognized and celebrated at the Central Louisiana Community Foundation's Celebration of Philanthropy, where their contributions to strengthening our communities will be highlighted alongside other community changemakers.

In addition, awardees will receive professional videography coverage and storytelling support to help share their work, inspire others, and elevate the impact they are making across Central Louisiana. Beyond funding and recognition, Weaver Awardees will become part of a growing network of individuals dedicated to building trust, fostering connections, and creating a stronger, more connected region.

Who selects the Weaver Awardees?

Weaver Awardees are selected by a panel of Community Advisors from across Central Louisiana. These advisors are individuals who are deeply connected to their communities and understand the unique strengths, opportunities, and challenges facing our region.

The Community Advisors review applications and recommendations, looking for individuals who are actively building relationships, fostering trust, and creating meaningful connections among neighbors. Their goal is to identify and celebrate the people whose work is strengthening the social fabric of Central Louisiana and helping communities thrive.

Who is eligible?

For someone to be considered for an Award they need to:

• Be 18 or older
• Live and serve in Central Louisiana
• Have a project that helps connect neighbors and fosters relationships between them
• The project is open to anyone in the community
• The project addresses a shared need in the community
• If the project is part of an organization, the organization must have an annual budget below $250,000
• Have a community recommendation from a community member who lives in the area you serve.

What makes a good candidate for a Weaver Award?

We are looking for people who bring others together and create meaningful connections within their communities. A strong Weaver Award candidate is someone who builds trust, fosters belonging, and helps neighbors work together around a shared interest, challenge, or opportunity.

Weavers come from all walks of life. They may lead neighborhood gatherings, mentorship programs, community gardens, volunteer projects, support groups, arts initiatives, cultural events, youth activities, or other efforts that help people connect with one another. Some are affiliated with organizations, while others simply see a need and step up to meet it.

The strongest candidates demonstrate a commitment to:

• Building relationships and strengthening trust
• Creating welcoming and inclusive spaces
• Bringing together people from different backgrounds or perspectives
• Encouraging ongoing participation and engagement
• Addressing a community need through connection and collaboration
• Making Central Louisiana a more connected, resilient, and vibrant place to live

At its core, a Weaver is someone who helps turn neighbors into community.

How can I use the funds?

We believe Community Weavers know best what their communities need. Weaver Award funds are intended to support activities, projects, and resources that bring people together, strengthen relationships, and build a greater sense of belonging within Central Louisiana.

Funds may be used for things such as:

• Community events and gatherings
• Supplies and materials for community-building activities
• Educational, cultural, or arts programming
• Volunteer engagement efforts
• Outreach and communication materials
• Space rentals, equipment, or other project-related expenses
• Other creative ideas that foster connection, trust, and collaboration

Funds may not be used for:

• Regranting funds to another individual or organization
• Political activities or campaigns
• Tuition, certification fees, or scholarships
• Personal expenses unrelated to the community project
• Purchases intended primarily for private individual use

The goal of the Weaver Awards is simple: to empower local leaders and community connectors with resources that help bring people together and strengthen the social fabric of our region.

About Central Louisiana Community Foundation

The Central Louisiana Community Foundation (CLCF) connects people to priorities they care about and increases charitable giving to advance the quality of life across our 12-parish region. Since 1998, CLCF has partnered with donors, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders to address local needs, create opportunities, and invest in the future of Central Louisiana.

Beyond grantmaking, CLCF serves as a convener, catalyst, and trusted community partner. We bring people together around shared challenges and opportunities, support nonprofit capacity building, and help strengthen the relationships that make communities thrive. Through initiatives like the Weaver Awards, we are investing not only in projects, but also in the people who build trust, foster belonging, and create stronger connections throughout our region.

Because when communities are connected, they are better equipped to solve problems, support one another, and create lasting change.

About Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.

FAQ

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards recognize 20 people from Central Louisiana who are leading efforts in their community to address local needs with $2,500 - $5,000 awards

How long does it take to complete the application process?

The application has two parts, the nomination by a neighbor and the application by the aspiring Awardee. Each part can be completed in as little as 30 minutes and you can even submit video recordings instead of a written application.

Do you have to be attached to a nonprofit to get an award?

No. Anyone can get the Award. You don’t have to have a formal organization. Weaver Awards are meant for those who don’t have the time, experience, or resources to apply for traditional awards.

How do I nominate someone for a Weaver Award?

Nominating someone is very simple. You only need to answer three questions that can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. You can access the nomination form on this page, starting on June 15, 2026. To nominate someone, you must be 18 and older and live, work or learn in Central Louisiana.

Once you submit the nomination, the person you are recommending will be notified via email and has to fill out some additional information for their application to be completed. Please let them know that you’ve nominated them for a Weaver Award so they are expecting an email from us.