What will the next generation of nonprofit leaders look like?
Chronicle of Philanthropy: Fellowships Give Up-And-Coming Managers A Boost to Leadership
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THE ROUNDTABLE'S FUTURE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS FELLOWSHIP, CLASS II
Sponsored by
2010 Program Information
The Nonprofit Roundtable is committed to helping to develop the pool of motivated, well-trained professionals to take on the challenge of community-based nonprofit executive leadership. We envision that the Future Executive Directors Fellowship will help to bridge the nonprofit leadership gaps in the region by building a community of strong emerging leaders who are primed to lead, innovate and make a difference.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND COMPONENTS
The Future Executive Directors Fellowship is a 12-month program that combines six key elements to strengthen emerging leadership in the nonprofit community:
- Leadership & Skills Development: Fellows will engage in intensive learning opportunities designed to fast track their understanding of work/life balance, board relations, financial management, fundraising strategies, communications, legal issues, advocacy, human resources, and collaboration and partnerships.
- Executive Director Modeling: Fellows will have the opportunity to have candid group conversations with exceptional Executive Directors in the nonprofit community.
- Peer Coaching: Participants will receive advice and support from peers during each month of the program.
- Mentoring: During the program, we will provide facilitated connections to help match Fellows with mentors and expose Fellows to a pool of experienced leaders from whom to learn in various ways.
- Networking: Fellows will be exposed to a broad, rich network of
peers, current leaders, mentors, funders, and other experienced
professionals.
- Stretch Assignment: The capstone of the Fellowship is a personal stretch assignment that allows Fellows to customize and pursue a specific learning goal.
At the conclusion of the program, Fellows can expect ongoing support from the Roundtable including invitations to Roundtable events, visibility on our website, and advice on how to pursue an Executive Director position in the future.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The Future Executive Directors Fellowship will provide intensive leadership development and preparation to mid- and senior-level nonprofit professionals who:
- possess several years of nonprofit work experience;
- have managerial experience (which may include experience in the private or public sectors that is equivalent and directly transferable);
- indicate the intention to become a nonprofit Executive Director or CEO of a small to medium-sized community-based organization in Greater Washington as the next step in their career;
- possess many of the skills and attributes necessary to be a successful Executive Director and are aware of areas needing further development;
- and have the support of their current organizations.
HOW TO APPLY
BACKGROUND
In July 2008, we announced the inaugural class of 25 emerging leaders in
the Roundtable’s new Future Executive Directors Fellowship. It was the
first program of this focus and intensity to be offered to emerging
nonprofit leaders who aspire to the nonprofit executive director
position. The 25 Fellows participated in an intensive nine-month program
designed to prepare them for executive directorships, diving deep into
fundraising, communications, human resources, financial management,
negotiating effectively, building partnerships, and achieving work/life
balance. Fellows were exposed to a rich network of mentors, colleagues,
faculty, and current nonprofit executive directors to help them develop
as leaders. Their mentors were all current or former executive
directors who candidly shared their real-life experiences in leading
organizations in the Washington, DC region.
The program was launched on the heels of Meyer Foundation’s 2008 report,
Ready to Lead, which showed that one-third of emerging nonprofit
leaders have aspirations of becoming executive directors, 40 perccent of
which said that they would be ready within five years. But what we’ve
seen is that our Fellows are ready now.
Outcomes from the 2008 Fellowship include:
• Among the 25 fellows who participated in the 2008 fellowship, five
have since assumed positions as Executive Directors, or 20 percent.
• 100 percent of the fellows developed and achieved a personal
leadership goal during the Fellowship.
• One fellow saved their organization at least $300,000 through their
stretch assignment completed during the fellowship.
• Several fellows became Board members of local nonprofits.
• Several fellows are now working on advocacy projects; working to
increase the living wage, improve language access services in healthcare
settings, and increase the availability of affordable housing.
Success Stories:
• 2008 Fellow Amanda Andere was appointed Executive Director of Fairfax
Area Christian Emergency & Transitional Services, Inc. (FACETS).
Amanda formerly served as the Vice President of External Affairs and
Community Resources at Reston Interfaith. "I cannot thank the Nonprofit
Roundtable enough. Being in the fellowship really prepared me for the
new job," Andere said.
• 2008 Fellow Alicia Wilson was selected as the Executive Director of La
Clinica del Pueblo . She previously served as the organization's
Director of Grants and Contracts Administration. Said Wilson of her new
role, "I'm really glad that I (and the Board) made this decision. I'm
really enjoying being an Executive Director!"
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