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On April 17, 2026, the 10th cohort of the Leadership Institute attended their graduation ceremony, surrounded by fellow Leadership Institute alumni, community members, and guests. The Leadership Institute is a year-long program designed to enhance the confidence and capabilities of nonprofit leaders in critical areas such as leadership, management, technical skills, and governance.
“Nonprofit teams want to make the biggest impact on the communities they are serving,” said Andrea Peterson, Program & Communications Manager of Nonprofit Leadership Initiative (NPLI), a program of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. “We know how important it is for our leaders to have strong competencies in many different areas to run an organization effectively. The Leadership Institute was built for just that reason; to give our nonprofit leaders who already have the passion for this work, the technical skills and support they need too.”
Beyond the skills taught by expert to participants, the cohort members created a very unique bond with each other throughout the year.
“Nonprofit leadership–it can be hard and it can be rewarding,” shared Djuanna Kath, Executive Director of Community Benefit Tree. “And having that comradery and this community of other nonprofit leaders all having the same situations and scenarios, it’s just nice to have that community for almost a whole year and the friendships I made will last a lifetime.”
Hope Schaefer, Executive Director of NPLI, a program of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
“We see it every year,” reflected Hope Schaefer, Executive Director of NPLI. “By the end of their time in the program, the cohort creates a tight bond that continues past graduation. These connections build a stronger community when our nonprofit leaders have reliable contacts to turn to when they need support.”
These 19 community leaders graduate into a group of over 140 alumni that have all been through the career-changing experience of the Leadership Institute. This network spans over 100 nonprofits across the greater Fox Valley area with dedicated leadership that all believe in the power of nonprofits and living their missions.
“I learned a lot this year,” said Jordan Donahue, President of Redemptions Recovery, Inc. “I am ready to go out and save the world.”
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort are closed and cohort 11’s members have been announced, but an interest form can be found on NPLI’s website to get a notification to apply for the next cohort starting in April 2027.
“Just do it,” said Carrie Esselman, Executive Director of Fox Valley Memory Project, when asked what to tell someone who is considering applying. “It’s only going to enrich your journey and your career path.”
Congratulations to the graduates of the 2025 – 2026 NPLI Leadership Institute Cohort.
Thank you to funds within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Thrivent, US Venture Schmidt Family Foundation, Fox Valley Technical College, and the Theda & Tamblin Clark Smith Family Foundation, whose continued support helps make the Leadership Institute possible.
Interested in learning more about Nonprofit Leadership Initiative?
Visit www.npleadershipfv.org, or follow NPLI on Facebook and LinkedIn.
You can view a list of upcoming NPLI events here.
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