Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans

Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans (EPNO) uses the Giving Circle model to bring together individuals in the Greater New Orleans region to collaboratively and collectively make changes in their communities by learning and giving together. EPNO separates each year’s class into smaller groups—or giving circles—to focus on building participants’ skills and knowledge base in areas of interest each participant has previously identified. The giving circles attend series of educational sessions, with topics such as “Grantmaking 101,” and learn from expert guest speakers from the community.

Through a high-engagement, six-month program, local emerging leaders are connected with other emerging leaders, nonprofits, and the greater community to positively impact our region through granting funds to organizations tackling some of our toughest problems. A founding principal of EPNO, and something that EPNO participants understand, is that anyone can be a philanthropist regardless of their status or net worth.

In their groups, session participants review proposals from nonprofits in the Greater New Orleans area seeking support, conduct site visits, and decide how to allocate funds.

The 2023 class has three grantmaking teams that will award up to $10,000 in each of the following areas:

Arts & Culture:

EPNO’s Arts and Culture impact team seeks to provide support to New Orleans-based organizations that offer enrichment programming for youth, ages 5 to 17, through the lens of arts and culture in the following categories:

• Live Music, Performing Arts, or Visual Arts
• Parks and Recreational Spaces
• Arts and Culture Education
• Culinary Arts

The Arts and Culture impact team would like to support organizations in a way that is most impactful for the organization. The Arts and Culture impact team will provide general operating support.

Preference will be given to organizations that accomplish one or more of the following goals:

• Promote diversity, inclusion, and equal representation
• Create sustainable economic opportunities for under-resourced communities
• Increase community engagement
• Foster talent development
• Provide education and outreach opportunities
• Strengthen entrepreneurial and life skills

Housing:

EPNO’s Housing impact team seeks to provide an unrestricted general operating grant to support direct services that address housing insecurity in the greater New Orleans region in order to promote individual and community well-being.

Direct services could include:

• Immediate relief for people who are unsheltered such as:
  • Shelter services
  • Food assistance
  • Medical and mental health services and counseling
• Case management for people who are housing insecure such as:
  • Rental assistance
  • Navigating public resources
  • Pathways to home ownership

Preference will be given to organizations:

• With decision makers that have experienced housing insecurity.
• That prioritize racial and gender equity in leadership, policies, and practices, particularly to include Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women and children, low to moderate income people, LGBTQ, and disabled communities.

Human Rights & Justice: 

EPNO’s Human Rights and Justice impact team seeks to support organizations that serve the Greater New Orleans Area with a focus on health and well-being for communities historically impacted by environmental inequities.

This grant is unrestricted; requests for funding for both programs and general operating support are welcome.

Preference will be given to organizations that can define environmental inequity and are working to address it.

How to Apply:

Now through September 29, 2023, eligible 501 (c)(3) organizations located in the greater New Orleans area may apply through the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s online application portal here.

All LOIs are due via the online portal no later than September 29, 2023. The Greater New Orleans Foundation will only accept applications submitted electronically. Applications received after the deadline will be ineligible for review.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have 501(c)(3) status. If you are an individual with an innovative idea, you must find a sponsoring 501(c)(3)
• Be located within the Foundation’s 13 parish service area
• Have a budget under $1,000,000

Please note: EPNO has a Conflict of Interest policy which may prohibit an organization at which an EPNO member or immediate family member is employed from applying to this year’s grant cycle. EPNO will notify you after your letter of intent is received if there is a conflict.

Learn Before Applying

The Greater New Orleans Foundation’s technology partner, Foundant, created a brief tutorial for applicants that can be found here.