By Kim O’Brien
Executive Director
Nonprofit Leadership Initiative

I came to work here in September of 2015 as a part-time, three-month project leader for an effort to strengthen the leadership of nonprofits, led by the Community Foundation and supported by many other Fox Valley-area nonprofits, funders, educational institutions and businesses.

Workgroups had been meeting since late 2014, dedicating themselves to developing an infrastructure to provide resources needed by effective nonprofit boards and executive leaders. My three-month project turned into a year-long journey of collaboration and amazing support from the Fox Valley as together we created the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative. I will be able to continue building on the early success met by our pilot projects, after being selected last month as the executive director of the Initiative.

As a past employee of LEAVEN and a current board member of CHAPS Academy, I saw the immense value in the numerous committees’ objectives and was honored to be a part of a strong community commitment to nonprofits. My 30 years of experience on various nonprofit boards, along with a background in human resources, also solidified my belief in the programs being developed.

Based on best practice nonprofit resource centers around the country, the Initiative offers Fox Valley nonprofits a wide range of leadership, management and technical skill-building programs, as well as peer learning circles.

Our goals include, but are not limited to:

• Improving effectiveness and efficiency of our nonprofits.
• Improving collaboration and connectivity among nonprofits.
• Strengthening leadership skills to assure more effective community service.
• Protecting current investment in the service areas.

The Nonprofit Leadership Initiative will create a framework to develop effective nonprofit board and executive leaders in the Fox Valley region through leadership, collaboration and learning opportunities.

Learn more about the programs of the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative.

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