﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Return xmlns="http://www.irs.gov/efile" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.irs.gov/efile" returnVersion="2017v2.2">
  <ReturnHeader binaryAttachmentCnt="0">
    <ReturnTs>2018-03-27T11:17:20-05:00</ReturnTs>
    <TaxPeriodEndDt>2017-12-31</TaxPeriodEndDt>
    <PreparerFirmGrp>
      <PreparerFirmEIN>720999988</PreparerFirmEIN>
      <PreparerFirmName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>FAULK &amp; WINKLER LLC</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
      </PreparerFirmName>
      <PreparerUSAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>6811 JEFFERSON HIGHWAY</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>BATON ROUGE</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>LA</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>70806</ZIPCd>
      </PreparerUSAddress>
    </PreparerFirmGrp>
    <ReturnTypeCd>990EZ</ReturnTypeCd>
    <TaxPeriodBeginDt>2017-01-01</TaxPeriodBeginDt>
    <Filer>
      <EIN>463520621</EIN>
      <BusinessName>
        <BusinessNameLine1Txt>LEADERSHIP ASCENSION FOUNDATION</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
      </BusinessName>
      <BusinessNameControlTxt>LEAD</BusinessNameControlTxt>
      <PhoneNum>2256477487</PhoneNum>
      <USAddress>
        <AddressLine1Txt>1006 LA HWY 30</AddressLine1Txt>
        <CityNm>GONZALES</CityNm>
        <StateAbbreviationCd>LA</StateAbbreviationCd>
        <ZIPCd>70737</ZIPCd>
      </USAddress>
    </Filer>
    <BusinessOfficerGrp>
      <PersonNm>JACOB WAGUESPACK</PersonNm>
      <PersonTitleTxt>BOARD MEMBER</PersonTitleTxt>
      <PhoneNum>2256477487</PhoneNum>
      <SignatureDt>2018-02-28</SignatureDt>
      <DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>1</DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd>
    </BusinessOfficerGrp>
    <PreparerPersonGrp>
      <PreparerPersonNm>JEREMY KLIBERT</PreparerPersonNm>
      <PTIN>P00852016</PTIN>
      <PhoneNum>2259276811</PhoneNum>
      <SelfEmployedInd>X</SelfEmployedInd>
    </PreparerPersonGrp>
    <TaxYr>2017</TaxYr>
    <BuildTS>2022-09-23 18:48:47Z</BuildTS>
  </ReturnHeader>
  <ReturnData documentCnt="5">
    <IRS990EZ documentId="RetDoc1234200001" referenceDocumentId="RetDoc1051800001 RetDoc2278000001">
      <MethodOfAccountingCashInd>X</MethodOfAccountingCashInd>
      <WebsiteAddressTxt>N/A</WebsiteAddressTxt>
      <Organization501c3Ind referenceDocumentId="RetDoc1039100001">X</Organization501c3Ind>
      <TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>X</TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd>
      <GrossReceiptsAmt>68569</GrossReceiptsAmt>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIInd>
      <ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>67759</ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt>
      <InvestmentIncomeAmt>810</InvestmentIncomeAmt>
      <TotalRevenueAmt>68569</TotalRevenueAmt>
      <GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt>88697</GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaidAmt>
      <OtherExpensesTotalAmt>905</OtherExpensesTotalAmt>
      <TotalExpensesAmt>89602</TotalExpensesAmt>
      <ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>-21033</ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>39189</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt>
      <OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt>0</OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>18156</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt>
      <CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>39189</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>18156</EOYAmt>
      </CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp>
      <Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
        <BOYAmt>39189</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>18156</EOYAmt>
      </Form990TotalAssetsGrp>
      <SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp>
        <BOYAmt>0</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>0</EOYAmt>
      </SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
        <BOYAmt>39189</BOYAmt>
        <EOYAmt>18156</EOYAmt>
      </NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd>
      <PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>LEADERSHIP ASCENSION IS AN INNOVATIVE PROGRAM THAT ASSITS IN PREPARING EMERGING COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.</PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt>
      <ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
        <DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP ASCENSION FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR AND INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL LEADERS BY GIVING THEM AN INTENSE COURSE WHICH ENCOMPASSES A BROAD SCOPE OF COMMUNITY CONCERNS.</DescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt>
        <GrantsAndAllocationsAmt>88697</GrantsAndAllocationsAmt>
        <ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>89602</ProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      </ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp>
      <TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>89602</TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>MICHAEL BONFANTI</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>PRESIDENT</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>TIFFANY SHELTON</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>VICE PRESIDENT</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>TONY RUIZ</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>TREASURER</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>AMY HAWTHORN LAMBERT</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>SECRETARY</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>KATIE GIBBONS</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>PAST PRESIDENT</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>JACOB WAGUESPACK</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>BOARD MEMBER</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>MATT PERCY</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>BOARD MEMBER</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>JENNIFER DEFRANCES</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>BOARD MEMBER</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>HOLLY DAIGLE</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>BOARD MEMBER</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>RAY STONEMARK</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>BOARD MEMBER</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>2.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
        <PersonNm>SHERRIE DESPINO</PersonNm>
        <TitleTxt>EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR</TitleTxt>
        <AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>5.00</AverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt>
        <CompensationAmt>0</CompensationAmt>
        <EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>0</EmployeeBenefitProgramAmt>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllwncAmt>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartVInd>X</InfoInScheduleOPartVInd>
      <ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>0</ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd>
      <ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>0</ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd>
      <OrganizationHadUBIInd>0</OrganizationHadUBIInd>
      <SubjectToProxyTaxInd>0</SubjectToProxyTaxInd>
      <OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>0</OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd>
      <DirectIndirectPltclExpendAmt>0</DirectIndirectPltclExpendAmt>
      <MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>0</MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4911Amt>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4911Amt>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4912Amt>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4912Amt>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4955Amt>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4955Amt>
      <EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>0</EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd>
      <TaxImposedOnOrganizationMgrAmt>0</TaxImposedOnOrganizationMgrAmt>
      <TaxReimbursedByOrganizationAmt>0</TaxReimbursedByOrganizationAmt>
      <ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>0</ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd>
      <BooksInCareOfDetail>
        <BusinessName>
          <BusinessNameLine1Txt>THE ORGANIZATION</BusinessNameLine1Txt>
        </BusinessName>
        <USAddress>
          <AddressLine1Txt>1006 HIGHWAY 30</AddressLine1Txt>
          <CityNm>GONZALES</CityNm>
          <StateAbbreviationCd>LA</StateAbbreviationCd>
          <ZIPCd>70737</ZIPCd>
        </USAddress>
        <PhoneNum>2256477487</PhoneNum>
      </BooksInCareOfDetail>
      <ForeignFinancialAccountInd>0</ForeignFinancialAccountInd>
      <ForeignOfficeInd>0</ForeignOfficeInd>
      <DonorAdvisedFndsInd>0</DonorAdvisedFndsInd>
      <OperateHospitalInd>0</OperateHospitalInd>
      <TanningServicesProvidedInd>0</TanningServicesProvidedInd>
      <RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>0</RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd>
      <PoliticalCampaignActyInd>0</PoliticalCampaignActyInd>
      <LobbyingActivitiesInd>0</LobbyingActivitiesInd>
      <SchoolOperatingInd>0</SchoolOperatingInd>
      <TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>0</TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd>
      <PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>NONE</PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt>
      <PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>NONE</PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt>
      <FiledScheduleAInd>1</FiledScheduleAInd>
    </IRS990EZ>
    <IRS990ScheduleA documentId="RetDoc1039100001">
      <PublicOrganization170Ind>X</PublicOrganization170Ind>
      <GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>5099</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>30857</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>43413</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>110085</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>54705</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>244159</TotalAmt>
      </GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp>
      <TotalCalendarYear170Grp>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>5099</CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>30857</CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>43413</CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>110085</CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt>
        <CurrentTaxYearAmt>54705</CurrentTaxYearAmt>
        <TotalAmt>244159</TotalAmt>
      </TotalCalendarYear170Grp>
      <SubstantialContributorsTotAmt>40936</SubstantialContributorsTotAmt>
      <PublicSupportTotal170Amt>203223</PublicSupportTotal170Amt>
      <TotalSupportAmt>244159</TotalSupportAmt>
      <GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt>16364</GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt>
      <PublicSupportCY170Pct>0.83230</PublicSupportCY170Pct>
      <ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind>X</ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind>
    </IRS990ScheduleA>
    <IRS990ScheduleB documentId="RetDoc1234500001">
      <ContributorInformationGrp>
        <ContributorNum>RESTRICTED</ContributorNum>
        <ContributorBusinessName>
          <BusinessNameLine1>RESTRICTED</BusinessNameLine1>
        </ContributorBusinessName>
        <ContributorUSAddress>
          <AddressLine1>RESTRICTED</AddressLine1>
          <AddressLine2>RESTRICTED</AddressLine2>
          <City>RESTRICTED</City>
          <State>RESTRICTED</State>
          <ZIPCode>RESTRICTED</ZIPCode>
        </ContributorUSAddress>
        <TotalContributionsAmt>RESTRICTED</TotalContributionsAmt>
      </ContributorInformationGrp>
    </IRS990ScheduleB>
    <IRS990ScheduleO documentId="RetDoc1051800001">
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 4 - OTHER INVESTMENT INCOME</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>DESCRIPTION: BANK INTEREST. AMOUNT: 810.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 10 - GRANTS AND SIMILAR AMOUNTS PAID</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION: LEADERSHIP ACTIVITY. GRANTEE NAME: ASCENSION PARISH SCHOOL BOARD. GRANTEE ADDRESS: 1100 WEBSTER STREET DONALDSONVILLE, LA 70346. DATE OF GIFT: 04/17/17. AMOUNT GIVEN: 14,300.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 10 - GRANTS AND SIMILAR AMOUNTS PAID</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>ACTIVITY CLASSIFICATION: COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT. GRANTEE NAME: CHURCH UNITED FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. GRANTEE ADDRESS: PO BOX 837 DONALDSONVILLE, LA 70707. DATE OF GIFT: 04/12/17. AMOUNT GIVEN: 10,000. TOTAL INCLUDED ON FORM 990-EZ, LINE 10: 24,300.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
      <SupplementalInformationDetail>
        <FormAndLineReferenceDesc>FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16 - OTHER EXPENSES</FormAndLineReferenceDesc>
        <ExplanationTxt>DESCRIPTION: OFFICE EXPENSES. AMOUNT: 905.</ExplanationTxt>
      </SupplementalInformationDetail>
    </IRS990ScheduleO>
    <TransferPrsnlBnftContractsDecl documentId="RetDoc2278000001">
      <DeclarationDesc>THE ORGANIZATION DID NOT, DURING THE YEAR, RECEIVE ANY FUNDS, DIRECTLY,OR INDIRECTLY, TO PAY PREMIUMS ON A PERSONAL BENEFIT CONTRACT.THE ORGANIZATION, DID NOT, DURING THE YEAR, PAY ANY PREMIUMS, DIRECTLY,OR INDIRECTLY, ON A PERSONAL BENEFIT CONTRACT.</DeclarationDesc>
    </TransferPrsnlBnftContractsDecl>
  </ReturnData>
</Return>