The Orchard Foundation is a nonprofit local education fund established as a resource for Central Louisiana that works with school districts, businesses, and communities to improve educational opportunities. We believe The Orchard Foundation provides outstanding opportunities to develop leaders in education which enhance the education efforts in Central Louisiana.

The Orchard Foundation serves a nine-parish area of Central Louisiana which includes: Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn.

Background and Funding

In 2004, The Rapides Foundation assembled a group of leaders from throughout the nine-parish Central Louisiana area to study the need for a local education fund and to determine the possible role it could play to improve educational opportunities for educators. The Rapides Foundation initially committed $600,000 over a three year period to establish the local education fund, and continues funding today under its Education Initiative.

The Rapides Foundation’s Education Initiative seeks to increase the level of educational attainment and achievement among Central Louisiana residents. Research tells us that people with higher education levels are healthier and live longer. One of the core strategies in the Education Initiative is providing professional development and leadership opportunities for teachers and school leaders in Cenla. The Orchard Foundation administers these efforts through funding from The Rapides Foundation.