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As an affiliate, St. Mary Foundation utilizes the resources, infrastructure and professional management of assets of Community Foundation of Acadiana while utilizing its own affiliate advisory board to focus attention on improving the community and growing philanthropy in St. Mary Parish.

Some Key Features

  • Growing and strengthening local philanthropy
  • Developing a permanent source of funding exclusively for the benefit of St. Mary Parish via permanently endowed named funds
  • Local leadership via a local Affiliate Advisory Board
  • Determining local priorities and addressing local issues, needs, and opportunities

  • Regional connections with CFA and other affiliate foundations concerning regional issues, needs, and opportunities
  • An unparalleled economies of scale provided by CFA’s investment, accounting, grant-making, administrative support, and tax-exempt status Enhanced credibility via alignment with CFA, one of south Louisiana’s premier philanthropic organizations

St. Mary Excel


In 2018, St. Mary Excel commissioned a land use study performed by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The goal was to learn how the areas of Morgan City and the town of Berwick could diversify the area’s economy using its major waterways to attract industry and grow its economy. St. Mary Excel, now a nonprofit, was initially a project of the St. Mary Foundation. This project was led by Drs. Monica Mancuso and Alice Pecoraro, Catherine Holcomb, Laura Dozar, and Lucien Cutrera.

St. Mary Excel secured more than $135,000 to fund this public-private partnership. Generous donors of government leaders and private community partners include the St. Mary Parish Council, the Port Commission of Morgan City, Morgan City Council, Hellenic Incorporated, Hancock Whitney Bank, the Town of Berwick, St. Mary Tourist Commission, B&G Foods/Taco Bell, Dr. Trey and Jennifer Morice, Bill and Judy Hidalgo, Conrad Family Foundation, Central Boats, Lapco Incorporated, Jodi and Burt Adams, Mike and Dianne Lind, in memory of Helen Laughlin by family members, Dr. Joseph Guarisco, A.J. Dohmann, Lucien Cutrera, Jason Akers, Bart and Monica Mancuso, Briant and Laura Dozar, Brian and Nancy Laughlin, and Linda and Sam Spitale.

ULI is a nonprofit research and education organization with 40,000 members world-wide. Members are developers, engineers, architects, urban planners, bankers, investors, economic development specialists, market analysts, land use professionals, and real estate agents. Several cities throughout Louisiana have commissioned an Urban Land Institute study such as New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Charity Hospital and the Claiborne Area Planned Development, Baton Rouge downtown revitalization, Lafayette downtown development, and Moncus Park in Lafayette. In addition, cities across the nation with a similar population to Morgan City and Berwick have commissioned the ULI to conduct studies.

Urban Land Institute Report

Affiliate Advisory Board

The St. Mary Affiliate Advisory Board consists of individuals that can reside in or represent St. Mary Parish. CFA seeks affiliate members with integrity and a variety of perspectives, opinions and experiences who are capable and committed to the Foundation’s core purpose of building legacies and improving communities by connecting generous people to the causes they care about.

St. Mary Foundation Affiliate Advisory Board

Affiliate Advisory Board (seated left to right): Janice C. LeBlanc, Tracie Hover; (standing left
to right): Brian Thorguson, Lisa Parsiola, Ruth Bourgeois, Stephen Swiber, John Armato


John Armato
Darnall, Sikes, Gardes & Frederick
Chair

Robert L. Allain III
Adeline Planting Co

Ruth Bourgeois
Community Volunteer

Phyllis Glover
Community Volunteer

Cecil A. Hernandez
Conrad Industries Inc.

Tracie Hover
B&G Food

Janice C. LeBlanc
Community Volunteer

Lisa Parsiola
The Brighton Group

Patti Simoneaux
Community Volunteer

Stephen Swiber
Diamond Services Corporation

Brian Thorguson
Patterson State Bank