The Catalysts for Change Leadership Program is an initiative of the Capital Region Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action Collaborative facilitated by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.
Based on the Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders program at The Gifford Foundation, the Catalysts for Change Leadership Program is a 10-week board development series that will focus on increasing inclusiveness and diversity on nonprofit boards and linking leaders to supporting nonprofits. The program is designed for up to 15 community members currently looking to join a local nonprofit board or new to serving on a board. After completing the program, participants will be connected to local nonprofits in the area looking for new board members and will join a network of leaders looking to change the state of diversity and inclusion on nonprofit boards.
The C4CLP is open to all community members interested in learning and serving on a diverse nonprofit board that is committed to inclusive and equitable governance and practices.
The program will focus on recruiting a diverse cohort, including people who self-identify as:
- Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, or a Person of Color
- LGBTQ+
- A person with a disability,
- An immigrant or non-U.S. citizen
- A religious minority
- A member of an underrepresented community
Program Goals
- Increase diversity on nonprofit boards and build inclusive cultures.
- Create a pipeline of trained board members.
- Strengthen the skills and knowledge of new leaders in the community.
- Build and strengthen a supportive network to help board members survive and thrive.
- Increasing awareness of equitable issues in our community.
For more information and questions, please contact Anzala B. Alozie, JD, Director, Equity & Inclusion Initiatives.
Program Benefits, Expectations, and Application Process
Ideal Candidates will Have:
- Passion for serving the Capital Region and striving for equitable and just communities.
- Motivation for personal leadership development and growth.
- Current community involvement and the desire to join a nonprofit board or new to board service.
- Interest in expanding their network and initiative to make connections.
- Commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and action.
Benefits of Participating:
- Network with nonprofit board leaders and local community experts.
- Develop a supportive network of peers from diverse identities and communities in the Capital Region.
- Gain key leadership skills, resources, and knowledge that will aid in your nonprofit board service.
- Build connections with local nonprofits looking to expand their board and increase their board diversity and inclusiveness.
- Contribute to strengthening and advancing equity in the region.
Participant Expectations:
- Attend all sessions. Participants must attend 7 out of 8 sessions to complete the program and graduate.
- Be open to growth and connecting with people from different identities and cultural backgrounds.
- Take initiative to build connections within your cohort.
- Willingness to provide critical feedback to help the program improve and expand in the future.
- Stay connected after completing the program to build a strong network of leaders in the region.
Program Timeline:
- August 7, 2023: Application Re-Opened
- September 8, 2023: Application Closes
- September 15, 2023: Program Participants Notified
- September 29, 2023: Participant Meet and Greet (5 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
- October 4, 2023: First Day of Program
- Wednesdays: October 4 – December 20, 2023: Training Workshops
- December 20, 2023: Graduation Event
Program Details
| Session | Learning Objectives |
| How Boards Add Value |
|
| The Trojan Horse of Social Movements: Transforming (Power and Oppression in) the Nonprofit Industrial Complex |
• Defining the nonprofit industrial complex and how it works |
| Lifecycles of a Nonprofit |
|
| ABC’s of Being a Board Member | • Key Responsibilities-fiduciary responsibility, reading financials, what gets voted on, annual filings, consent agenda, etc. • Does your nonprofit really impact the targeted population and how to tell • Understanding the time commitment • Officers and committee structures |
| Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | • Understanding the basic of diversity, equity, and inclusion • Learning about power and racism/sexism/ageism, etc.… or ignorance, Values, and Stereotypes. • How to handle being the only one in the room (practical coping tools) |
| Group Dynamics | • Understanding how groups form and behave; discuss power & tokenism • How to maximize your input in a group setting • Understanding the “players” in these settings and how to navigate (practical tools) • Having a “robust” discussion |
| Change Management | • Learning strategies on how to inspire, implement and manage change • Understanding tactics to influence others and change group culture |
|
Collaborations and Conflict Resolution
|
• Understanding conflict and its causes • Difference between compromising, accommodation, competition, and collaboration • Active listening tools • Getting to win – is it always possible (consensus building) • Negotiation techniques |
| Making the Connection (Networking) |
|
| Graduation |
|
Please email Anzala Alozie for more information.
Meet the 2021 Cohort
Meet the 2022 Cohort
NONPROFIT BOARD OPPORTUNITIES
To highlight board service opportunities for our Catalysts graduates and other community leaders, the Foundation conducted a survey; inviting nonprofit organizations to share their information to be included on a list of IDEA-committed organizations seeking to increase diversity on their boards.
The Community Foundation received over 100 submissions and this resource is now available online by visiting this link. The listing is a user-friendly and up-to-date Google spreadsheet that can be downloaded and sorted to suit the user’s needs.
If you represent a nonprofit organization and are interested in adding your organization to the list, please complete this brief survey. Your response will be automatically added to the current listing.
If you have any questions, please email us at info@cfgcr.org.