Member Highlight: Emilia Aguinaga on Building Community through Philanthropy
Meet GNOFN Member Emilia Aguinaga, who serves as a Climate Justice program officer at the Foundation for Louisiana.
Can you share a little about your path to philanthropy and the work you do today at Foundation for Louisiana?
I’m originally from Ecuador and moved to New Orleans right before Hurricane Katrina. Being here during the recovery changed how I see climate change. It helped me understand that it’s not a distant problem that only affects polar bears, but a people problem that’s happening right now. My background is in environmental public health and development, and I spent years doing climate organizing and healing justice work. When I joined Foundation for Louisiana through their fiscal sponsorship program, I never imagined I’d end up in philanthropy. But this work, connecting ideas, people, and resources, feels like the right fit. It helps me stay committed to making the world better without carrying the burden alone.
What made you want to be part of the Greater New Orleans Funders Network (GNOFN)?
It feels like a real community. It’s a values-aligned space where I can ask questions, learn from others, and have candid conversations about what’s happening in philanthropy and Louisiana. Especially as someone newer to the philanthropy side, it’s been invaluable to have a trusted place to ask questions, learn from colleagues, and build relationships that ultimately strengthen support for grantees. The network also allows members to experiment with funding approaches that individual foundations might not pursue on their own.
How do you think about the role of philanthropy in this moment?
Philanthropy right now has to be about trust and humility. Coming from the nonprofit world, I know how frustrating it is when funders don't really listen. Good philanthropy means trusting that communities know what they need and supporting their leadership. It’s about seeing our role as part of a larger movement for justice and wellbeing. It’s not about being saviors or experts, but rather being connectors and stewards.
How do you think about leadership in your work and in philanthropy?
For me, leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting that by working together, we can create better solutions than any one person could on their own. It means leaning into others' expertise, staying humble, and building relationships based on mutual respect. Especially in philanthropy, leadership looks like making space for community voices, not speaking over or for them.
What does it mean to you to be part of the community in New Orleans and Louisiana?
I didn’t plan to stay after college, but New Orleans pulled me in. The deeper your roots here, the more you realize how much is held in relationships, stories, and memories. This city teaches you that real change isn’t written down in strategic plans. Real change lives in people. And that’s both beautiful and fragile. I worry about what happens as we lose elders and organizers without building strong intergenerational bridges. Supporting movement infrastructure and honoring the wisdom already in our communities is essential.
Why is healing and wellbeing important to the way you approach your work?
A lot of my background is rooted in individual and community healing and wellbeing, and that continues to shape how I think about impact. Real change isn’t just about shifting policies — it’s about creating space for people to rest, heal, and thrive in every aspect of their lives. I love that through GNOFN and FFL, we’re finding ways to honor wellbeing as a fundamental part of justice work. In a time when so much feels heavy, supporting community wellbeing is more important than ever.
What bright spots are you seeing in your work or across Louisiana that give you hope?
There’s a lot happening that reminds me change is possible. Inclusive Louisiana, Mt. Triumph Baptist Church, and RISE St. James of Louisiana’s lawsuit challenging discriminatory zoning is moving forward, and that’s a huge win. I’m also energized by the organizing that defeated the constitutional amendments in Louisiana. It was fast, powerful, and community-led. Even in hard times, seeing people come together to protect their rights and build power gives me hope for what's ahead.
***
Born and raised in Ecuador, and a New Orleanian for the past 20 years, Emilia Aguinaga is the Climate Justice Program Officer for Foundation for Louisiana. In this role, via grantmaking and other aligned strategies, Emilia supports issue/campaign-based organizing and collective power-building while driving resources toward the development of partner organizations, complementary coalitions, and movement/community leaders in ways that reflect the wisdom of the people, communities, and organizations on the frontlines of climate and environmental justice Emilia's experience at the intersection of philanthropy, non-profit management, education, and healing-focused yoga has supported climate justice, youth development programs, and the disability community in Louisiana and the Gulf South. Emilia's background in public health, deep understanding of trauma, and recognition of our world's interconnectivity have driven her to seek work that furthers health, well-being, justice, and freedom. Emilia is a strategic systems thinker, skilled educator, and innovative problem solver who works effectively in collaborative settings and can simultaneously respond to diverse needs.
