By Annette Look, program manager, NPLI

Calling all nonprofit staff whose goals include leadership development and increased knowledge of nonprofit operations: the Leadership Institute program is now accepting applications!    

Annette Look

The Leadership Institute, a program in collaboration with Fox Valley Technical College, is a series of seminars, taught by content experts, designed to increase participant competencies in areas critical to nonprofit effectiveness. Nonprofit leaders are asked to serve many roles, so the curriculum addresses a variety of topics to help leaders strengthen both their personal leadership skills and organizational management expertise. At the end of the program graduates receive a certificate in nonprofit management from Fox Valley Technical College. The full curriculum and presenter information can be viewed on the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative website. 

Thanks to generous donors, the program is offered at a discounted rate of $1,500 for nonprofits within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley service region. Applications are being accepted through Friday, January 29.

Board support and commitment to the program is critical for the applicant’s success, so both the applicant and a board member complete separate applications in order for the nonprofit staff leader to be considered for the program. The program runs from May 2021 – April 2022. Click here for application information and to register.  

Over 50 nonprofit professionals have graduated from the Leadership Institute since its inception in 2016. NPLI started a graduation book for each cohort and here are what a few of last year’s graduates had to say:  

Jen Parsons

“ I would love to share that this experience has surpasses all of my expectations. The amount of learning within each module was not only extremely beneficial, but also very eye opening for me as a program director.” ~ Jen Parsons, Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley 

Randy Tuma

“This experience has been a wonderful opportunity to grow and learn along with a diverse set of peers from nonprofits around the Fox Cities. I would highly recommend this opportunity for anyone considering it” ~ Randy Tuma, Bubolz Nature Preserve 

Hope Schaefer

“I never anticipated the incredible friendships that I would make, the opportunities it would create for my organization, the progress we have made over just the last few months, and the constant inspiration, wisdom and knowledge I’ve received from NPLI alumni and my cohort” ~ Hope Schaefer, Girls on the Run of Northeast Wisconsin 

Learn what the rest of the 2020-21 graduates had to say here.  

In this six minute video, two of the 2017-18 graduates share how the program impacted their leadership journey: