Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans (EPNO)

The Mission of Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans (EPNO) is to: - Inspire and educate community members to become effective, lifelong philanthropists; - Impact the Greater New Orleans region through grantmaking to impactful nonprofits; and - Connect leaders with each other and the community.

Following a dinner conversation in 2008, a group of young professionals in the Greater New Orleans area created the first EPNO giving circle. That group raised funds and recruited giving circles participants. In 2011, EPNO was codified with a mission to inspire and educate young community members to become effective, strategic, and lifelong philanthropists.

In March 2023, the Greater New Orleans Foundation officially welcomed Emerging Philanthropists of New Orleans (EPNO) to the Foundation's family, cementing a longstanding relationship that will welcome Southeast Louisiana's next generation of philanthropists. This strategic partnership represents an important step to build upon EPNO's 12-year history of successes while strengthening the program to be more sustainable and impactful in the future.

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. Each EPNO class is comprised of up to five smaller groups (giving circles) that help to build participants' skills and knowledge base in chosen nonprofit mission areas.

Testimonials

Starting in 2008 with the first small group that made four inaugural grants, to date, EPNO has over 475 alumni who have gone through the program in 15 cohorts and have collectively given over $730,000 to 106 local nonprofit organizations.

Though EPNO grants are relatively small, they make a big impact. By sharing the knowledge and awareness of philanthropy and community, the goals of EPNO's giving circle model are to encourage members to be active participants in their community and inspire them to give strategically throughout their lives. The giving circle model provides a way for EPNO to support grassroots organizations by scaling which also helps to build stronger organizations.