For Immediate Release

Friday, February 5th, 2016

Contact: Biz Ghormley, EPIP - (212) 584-8249 [email protected]

EMERGING PRACTITIONERS IN PHILANTHROPY AND FLORIDA PHILANTHROPIC NETWORK ANNOUNCE NEW EPIP-FLORIDA CHAPTER

New partnership marks first EPIP chapter in the American Southeast

New York, NY — Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) today announced the launch of a new chapter, EPIP Florida, in partnership with the Florida Philanthropic Network (FPN). The launch marks EPIP’s 13^th chapter and its first official chapter in the southeastern United States.

“On behalf of the entire EPIP National Board and our 12 other chapters, we are thrilled by the launch of EPIP Florida,” said Christine Reeves Strigaro, Advisory Board Chair of EPIP and Director of Foundation Programs at the Alliance for Justice. “As a born and raised Floridian, I know the Sunshine State will be a great addition to the EPIP family, especially as we celebrate the milestone of EPIP’s 15^th anniversary year.”

Founded in 2001, EPIP is a professional network that develops emerging leaders committed to building a just, equitable and sustainable society. 

The Florida chapter will provide professionals in philanthropy, and those dedicated to its progression, access to a network and resources to support their professional development and skills with the goal of bringing a social and racial equity lens to their work.

“FPN's partnership with EPIP enhances our vision to facilitate collaboration among all sectors,” said Florida Blue Vice President and FPN Board Chair Susan Towler. “In 2013 Florida foundation giving reached a record high of $1.5 billion. This partnership creates additional professional development opportunities for the growing philanthropic sector in our state.”

“The future of Southern philanthropy is bright and EPIP Florida provides an opportunity to highlight and uplift the next generation of charitable sector leaders from this critical area of the country," shared Dwayne Marshall, Vice Chair of EPIP’s Advisory Board and Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Southeastern Council of Foundations. “We are optimistic that chapters will form in other Southern states as well.”

The chapter will celebrate its launch at the FPN summit with a breakfast session on February 25, 2016. The meeting will be hosted by Tamir Novotny, EPIP Executive Director, Christine Reeves Strigaro and EPIP Florida Chapter leaders including FPN’s Christopher Johnson, Imani Hope of Jacksonville Public Education Foundation, Nicole Washington from the Lumina Foundation and Jocelyn Lister from Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg. Attendees will get to hear more about EPIP and join in shaping the vision for the Florida chapter’s future.

"Both organizations share a commitment to improving communities and informing the work of changemakers and social justice leaders," FPN Director of Programs & Learning Chris Johnson said about the partnership. "EPIP Florida will engage leaders from the nonprofit, public and private sectors in a collective space and elevate social justice discussions in Florida."

EPIP Chapters are located across the United States, from Hawaii to New York and many places in between. Chapters are led by local volunteers to best serve the needs and goals of membership in those areas.

Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) is a national network of foundation professionals and change makers who strive for excellence in the practice of philanthropy. EPIP exists to ensure that emerging foundation professionals at all levels of their career are effective stewards of philanthropic resources and all change makers reach their potential as leaders. With over 1200 members in 13 chapters, EPIP is a leading association for emerging leaders in the sector. EPIP is a project of the Tides Center. Learn more at www.epip.org.

Florida Philanthropic Network is a statewide membership network of nearly 120 philanthropic organizations working to build philanthropy to build a better Florida. FPN's members are private independent, corporate and family foundations, community foundations, public charity grantmakers and corporate giving programs - from Miami to Jacksonville; Naples to Pensacola - who hold over $6.5 billion in assets and invest over $435 million annually (excluding members located outside Florida) to improve the quality of life for our citizens. Our members share a commitment to promoting philanthropy, fostering collaboration and advancing public policy by Florida, in Florida.

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