Hosted by The Palmisano Foundation in Partnership With RNGD, Seventh Annual Community Festival Supports Architecture, Engineering and Construction Management Education Scholarships
METAIRIE – The Palmisano Foundation, in partnership with RNGD, raised a record $183,400 at the seventh annual Renegade Fest, a community festival that drew more than 300 attendees to the RNGD headquarters campus in Metairie on Friday, October 23. Guests enjoyed live music from Bad Habit and Lagniappe Brass Band, and 100% of proceeds generated from the event will support scholarships and career development programs for New Orleans area youth.
“The success of this year’s Renegade Fest is a testament to what we can achieve when purpose and collaboration come together,” said Sherry Serio, Director of the Palmisano Foundation. “A big thank you to our dedicated sponsors and employees who share the Palmisano Foundation’s commitment and vision to empower the next generation of builders.”
“Every year, Renegade Fest reminds me just how generous this community is, and I’m incredibly grateful to all of our sponsors and employees who show up, give back, and help the Palmisano Foundation make a difference,” said Wes Palmisano, Founder and CEO of RNGD.
Since its founding in 2019, the Palmisano Foundation has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from awarding a single scholarship to 37 scholarships in 2026. Building on this year’s record total, the foundation will offer up to 50 scholarships next year.
The foundation’s commitment to education extends beyond scholarships, connecting recipients with mentorship and hands-on training. In 2026, five outstanding scholarship recipients not only received financial support but also completed internships at RNGD, building practical skills, professional confidence, and direct pathways to stable employment in the AEC industry. Through strategic partnerships with Son of a Saint, New Orleans Career Center, Junior Achievement New Orleans, and Cuillier Career Center, the foundation continues to create career pathways and direct connections to industry leaders for area youth.
Community Impact by the Numbers:
– $183,400 raised at Renegade Fest 2026
– 300+ attendees at the seventh annual festival
– Up to 50 scholarships to be offered next year
– 5 scholarship recipients completed internships at RNGD in 2026
– Since 2019, the Palmisano Foundation has funded $653,000 and awarded 121 scholarships
Current scholarship recipients exemplify the foundation’s impact. “Receiving the Palmisano Foundation Scholarship is a tremendous honor that provides both financial relief and motivation to continue striving toward my educational and career goals,” said Brodie Dantin, Palmisano Foundation scholarship recipient. “This support allows me to focus more on my studies, bringing me one step closer to achieving my dream of making a meaningful difference in the construction industry.”
The foundation’s work addresses critical workforce development needs while supporting pathways out of poverty for New Orleans’ most vulnerable youth. Recent initiatives include funding state-of-the-art equipment for the New Orleans Career Center’s Maker Lab, launching the first comprehensive two-year trades program with Son of a Saint, and providing paid summer internships and transportation support.
The Palmisano Foundation serves as the charitable arm of RNGD and focuses on creating sustainable pathways for youth in architecture, engineering, construction, and skilled trades. Through strategic partnerships and employee engagement, the foundation has become a catalyst for change in New Orleans’ youth development landscape.
About The Palmisano Foundation
Founded in 2019 as the charitable arm of RNGD, the Palmisano Foundation is dedicated to creating educational and career opportunities for New Orleans area youth. The foundation focuses on architecture, engineering, construction, and skilled trades, providing scholarships, mentorship, and hands-on training through strategic partnerships with local nonprofits and educational institutions. With a vision that every New Orleans youth has the tools, guidance, and opportunities to succeed regardless of circumstances, the foundation has grown from awarding one scholarship in 2019 to 37 scholarships in 2026 and will offer up to 50 scholarships next year.
For more information about Renegade Fest and the Palmisano Foundation, visit www.palmisanofoundation.org/renegadefest.