Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans

Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans (EPNO) 2024 Grant Opportunity

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 2024 class has three grantmaking teams that will award up to $10,000 in each of the following areas: Arts & Culture, Health, Human Rights & Justice.

Impact Team Focus Statements

Arts & Culture:

We aim to supplement the impact of organizations that support New Orleans’ own performing artists, allowing them to live sustainably through their craft. We are seeking organizations that focus on:

Past: Honor the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans

Present: Resource individual performers and culture-bearers

Future: Educate and encourage the next generation to carry the torch

Health:

EPNO’s Health Impact Team is committed to reducing health disparities in underserved communities across the Greater New Orleans area. We are providing unrestricted funding to a nonprofit organization focused on empowering at-risk individuals through innovative approaches to education, accessibility, and wellness.

Preference will be given to organizations that:

• Are Innovative and Impactful: Our goal is to support initiatives that challenge conventional healthcare models, creating new pathways to wellness and resilience.
• Promote Healthy Alternatives: We are looking for projects that bring healthy lifestyle alternatives to communities where such options are scarce or nonexistent.
• Integrate Elements of Wellness: We advocate for a comprehensive approach to well-being, recognizing that various elements of health are interconnected.

Human Rights & Justice: 

The Human Rights & Justice Team are seeking proposals from nonprofits whose work includes helping people understand their voting and civil rights, making voting more accessible, or other kinds of civic engagement. Our ideal applicant does this work through policy, advocacy, or education, guided by the principles of human rights, justice, and equity.

Within the application, we ask that you explain how your organization’s work defines and works for greater civic engagement or voting access.

HOW TO APPLY:

Now through September 26, 2024, eligible 501 (c)(3) organizations located in the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s service area may apply through the Foundation’s online application portal here.

All LOIs are due via the online portal no later than September 26, 2024. 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 or have a Fiscal Sponsor
• Be located within the Foundation’s 13 parish service area
• Have a budget at or below $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.

Please email EPNO@gnof.org with any questions.