This post was authored by: Carrie Harlow, EPIP LA Steering Committee Co-Chair and Program Officer, The Ahmanson Foundation and Alexandra Carew, EPIP LA Steering Committee Member and Communications Manager, Southern California Grantmakers

In June, EPIP Los Angeles held its very first EPIPhany Hour. (Shout out to the EPIP Philly Chapter for inspiring the program name, adapted from their EPIPhany Groups.  We loved all of the idea sharing at this year’s Chapter Leader Gathering in New Orleans!)

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Christopher Barahona, Program Associate, Weingart Foundation
Qjaquice “Q” Brantley, Director of Development, Health Sciences, UCLA
Jacqueline Carrillo, Manager, Programs and Conferences, Southern California Grantmakers
Michelle Dominguez, Program Manager, Social Justice Partners Los Angeles
Christine Dragan, Program Associate, The Rose Hills Foundation
Carla Fuentes, Program Manager, Goldhirsh Foundation/LA2050 
Victoria Hinshaw, Development Officer, Jewish Story Partners
LeAnn Kelch Melendez, Director of Grants and Programs, Goldhirsh Foundation/LA2050
Yvonne Macias, Program Manager, The Durfee Foundation
Tammy Marashlian, Program Manager, Community Benefits, L.A. Care Health Plan
Michael Martinez, Program Associate, The Annenberg Foundation
Tommy Morris, Program Officer, California Wellness Foundation
Sally Ngo, Program Associatem The California Endowment
Lucero Noyola, Program Officer, Doheny Foundation
Elmer Vivas Portillo, Manager of Learning and Communications, Durfee Foundation
Alyssa Plourde, Program and Impact Manager, The Archewell Foundation
Clara Steele, Program Officer, Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation
Sharon Stratton, Partnerships Manager, Social Justice Partners Los Angeles
Jessica Ward-Ramirez, Contract and Grants Manager

Advisory Committee Members
Karli Baumgardner
Emily Bradley
Stella Chung
Otha Cole
Jenna Diaz-Gonzalez
Oxana Ermolova
Carrie Harlow
Joanna Kabat
Jaime Kalenik
Piper Kamins
Ilir Lita
Chelsea Mason
Bethanie Milteer
Becky Newman
Alexa O'Connor
Roger Perez
Jenny Power
Jonathan Reid
Janet Sandoval
Emily Skehan
Sara Straubel
Chikako Yamauchi

EPIP Los Angeles is a network of early- to mid-career professionals committed to a more equitable and inclusive philanthropic sector. Established in 2003, EPIP LA provides peer support, mentoring, leadership development, skills training, and relationship-building opportunities for philanthropic professionals in the Los Angeles area. We partner with regional grantmaking associations, affinity groups, and others to complement and contribute to networks that exist throughout the community. We are committed to these core principles:

• Nurture and activate a pipeline of leaders who are committed to a just, equitable, and inclusive philanthropic sector.
• Strive to reflect Los Angeles’ changing ethnic and social demographic by actively engaging a broad base of early to mid-career philanthropic professionals through our programming, events, and membership.
• Uphold a high regard of building authentic relationships to achieve a more inclusive, engaged, and activated philanthropic sector.
• Commitment to personal and professional development to inform a practice and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusive lens in the philanthropic sector.

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EPIP LA Programs and Event Series

Mentorship Program: This connects emerging leaders in the philanthropic field with a seasoned leader to serve as a mentor and a cohort of like-minded peers to support them on their journey. 

Practitioners of Color Group: PCG spaces offer an opportunity for philanthrofolks of color to connect, sparking deepened relationships with fellow BIPOC emerging practitioners in philanthropy.

Networking and Learning Events: With the goals of networking and shared learning, events include casual lunches, happy hours, lunch conversations on specific issue areas, and behind-the-scenes tours at some of LA’s most unique spaces. These events also create space for peer learning to build power with the communities we serve through our grantmaking and explore ways in which we can also critically engage beyond our institutional roles to challenge social inequities.

Lunch with a Leader Series: These intimate, candid conversations with leaders in the field over lunch cover topics such as career pathways, navigating the dynamics of philanthropy, and equity and inclusion in the sector.

Skill-Building Series: These events range from facilitated workshops, to peer learning, to activities cross-listed with partner organizations, all designed to help participants build capacity, improve their skills, and develop relationships within the context of promoting a more equitable and inclusive philanthropic sector.

There are so many great resources for the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors–from publications and research centers to academic and professional development opportunities. EPIP LA is happy to share this new, easy-to-use resource guide to help emerging foundation professionals be more effective in their work and more connected to the field...

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Through its Mentorship Program, EPIP LA aims to provide participants with the tools needed to seek out and develop meaningful connections with experienced leaders and their peers. Last year, EPIP LA successfully piloted its mentorship program. We’re excited to announce the program’s second year cohort...

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The Los Angeles Chapter of EPIP is so grateful for the generosity of those members and friends who have participated in our first ever Giving Circle. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now the fun begins! We’re opening the nomination process to determine which emerging nonprofit organization or project will receive the dollars raised...

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Last year, EPIP’s LA Chapter launched a mentorship program to help our members establish long-term, meaningful relationships, both with a mentor and with other emerging professionals in the field. If you’re a member of EPIP LA, and are interested in gaining professional development skills and exploring your career interests, apply to participate in year two of the EPIP LA Mentorship Program...

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In philanthropy, we’re sometimes a step (or two) removed from our nonprofit partners doing such incredible work in the community. But building strong connections to support and champion our grantees is actually at the core of our values as philanthropy professionals. That’s why we are thrilled to partner with the One Percent Foundation to launch the very first EPIP Los Angeles Giving Circle. Please join us on Wednesday, June 18th for a special launch party to learn more!...

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Finding a mentor is tough. We all know it. So this year, EPIP LA is piloting its first ever mentorship program to make that process a little easier for our members. Through our Mentorship Program, EPIP LA aims to provide participants with the tools needed to seek out and develop meaningful connections with experienced leaders and their peers. Read more