VCU-Supported Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program Awards Certificates to the Next Generation of Nonprofit Leaders

By Mike Porter

Some employees of nonprofit organizations in Central Virginia were recently honored for completing an eight-month Virginia Commonwealth University-supported educational program designed to prepare them to lead nonprofit organizations.

The 19 men and women participated in the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders program, which is part of the Nonprofit Learning Point program in the VCU Division of Community Engagement. The program is supported by The Community Foundation, Capital One, Altria and the United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg.

The class was recognized at a closing luncheon and celebration on June 2.

Cathy Howard, Ph.D., vice provost of the Division of Community Engagement, said there has been a long and positive collaboration between the university and the nonprofit sector in promoting professional development efforts.

“Through programs like this, we are truly investing in our nonprofit sector to really make a difference in the community,” Howard said.

By completing the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders program, participants gained a better understanding of their leadership capacity, learned more about leading a nonprofit organization and strengthened their network of colleagues who work for nonprofit organizations.

The 2010-2011 class included representatives of nonprofit groups specializing in health, education, the elderly and housing.

Todd Elliott of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond and Sandra Booth of United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg served as co-speakers for the ceremony.

“This program has meant a great deal to the graduating class of 2011,” Elliot said. “It has been a support group to some, a time of reflection for others, but for all of us it has introduced a new way of seeing ourselves as leaders and truly understanding that our agency ‘s success, our own success and the future success of those whom we serve is intricately tied together.”

Organizers said the program, now in its fourth year, is making a difference. 

“We now have 76 alumni and they are already doing great things,” said Susan Wilkes, Ph.D., lead faculty member.

Wilkes said an evaluation study conducted last year found that 92 percent of the program’s alumni still worked in the nonprofit sector, 34 percent accepted positions with more responsibility, 77 percent contributed to their communities through service or volunteering outside of work and 57 percent had collaborated with other nonprofit organizations.

The newest alumni donated $1,225 to provide ongoing support for the program.

“These past eight months have been tremendous,” Booth said. “Now that I have made it through the program, I can’t imagine why not to afford this opportunity all emerging leaders in our nonprofit community. I know our whole class agrees and because of the value gained, we wanted out class gift to go to sustaining this program for future classes.”

Registration is open to participate in next year’s class. For more information and an application, visit http://nonprofitlearningpoint.org/emerging-nonprofit-leaders/.