Nonprofit Management Cohort: A Program for Emerging Leaders of Color

Grant application is closed for 2022. See below for general information on the 2022 timeline.

Introduction

The Nonprofit Management Cohort is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the next generation of leadership in Greater New Haven’s nonprofit sector. The Community Foundation is excited to offer this opportunity to diversify the voices and perspectives of our sector.

Currently employed nonprofit staff who are people of color, work for organizations serving Greater New Haven and who aspire to senior management positions are encouraged to apply.

2022 Timeline:

• Applications open April 4, 2022.
• Applications due by June 6, 2022.
• By July 15, 2022, 10 people are chosen for the cohort, based on career goals in nonprofit management in Greater New Haven.

Participant Expectations:

Year One:

• Beginning in September 2022, you will participate in bi-weekly training sessions (remote or on-site in New Haven).
• In November 2022, a first year General Operating Support grant of $15,000 is made to the organization where you are currently employed.
• In May 2023, with guidance from The Community Foundation, you will lead your organization (or another designated organization) through the administration of the TCC Group’s Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT).
• You will assume a leadership role within your organization to facilitate discussion to prioritize the CCAT recommendations and to implement organizational initiatives based on the prioritized CCAT recommendations. Implementation programs should be completed within six months.

Year Two:

• A second year grant of $15,000 is made to your organization in June 2023, with at least $5,000 set aside for CCAT implementation and the balance for General Operating Support.
• In July 2023, you and your cohort members begin monthly networking meetings to deepen your relationships and opportunities for partnerships with your cohort members.
• During the second year, you may be engaged with a mentor/coach for continuing professional development.

Training Program:

Co-Design

The program frame was designed by co-leads; Dr. David Garvey, former Director of the University of Connecticut Department of Public Policy’s Nonprofit Leadership Program and Cynthia Rojas, along with adjunct instructor topic experts and seasoned practitioners. However, gathering input and ideas from the leadership program cohort participants themselves will be critical to inform the co-design of the program model. Understanding the participants’ perspectives and priorities for what they seek to gain from the program will support their commitment and buy-in for this experience.

Instructors

Seasoned practitioners in their fields will be teaching the topical areas. The teaching staff will be racially and ethnically diverse. There is a deliberate focus that the majority of instructors will be people of color.

Reflections on Racial Equity

The program will not have a specific session on racial equity. Rather we encourage the issues and ramifications of race, equity and inclusion to be baked in, embedded, in every topic. Because it matters in every topic (from governing boards to philanthropy, fund development, human resources to leadership).

Monthly topics:

Introduction and the Power of Community

The Importance of Governance

Leadership and You

Human Resources – People are Your Most Important Asset

Strategy—How We Get There

Understanding Financials

Program Evaluation – Essential and Sometimes Elusive

Raising Funds to Propel Your Mission

Reach Out and Tell It to the World

Cohort Reflection

Reflection (individual and peer) is an important part of the program design. For each session, we will allocate time for reflection.

University of Connecticut Academic Credit

Upon completion of the nine-month education program, all students will receive a certificate of completion. In addition, depending on the academic standing and needs of the student determined at the beginning of the program, three UConn undergraduate or graduate credits will be awarded to each student which may be applied towards any University of Connecticut degree or graduate certificate program, including the Department of Public Policy’s (DPP) Online Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate or the Executive Track Master of Public Administration Fellows Program.

Scholarship Towards Future Academics

To support the continued professional development of the emerging leader cohort, along with academic credit, a scholarship of up to $1000 will be awarded, by the UConn DPP, to qualifying students towards the graduate level the UConn Online Nonprofit Management Certificate or the Executive Track Master of Public Administration Fellows Program.

Please direct questions about this grant program to Jackie Downing or Kara Straun.