Eu3+ doped LaF3 nanoparticles functionalized with a 3-4 formylphenyl benzoic acid ligand were synthesized. Excitation energy-dependent energy transfer from the ligand to Eu3+ yields color tunability from the red to greenish-blue as a function of excitation wavelengths. This synthetic approach provides large shifts in the resultant chromaticity with an excitation wavelength including the generation of white light.