The Emerging Leaders Program

The Emerging Leaders Program is designed to build the nonprofit leadership pipeline by preparing 12-15 early career nonprofit professionals to take on greater leadership roles through focused mentoring with an established nonprofit leader.

Ideal applicants for this program should:

• Have 3-8 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector
• Demonstrated leadership potential, with a commitment to the nonprofit sector in Rhode Island
• Have some experience supervising others
• Be energized by constructive feedback, and open to trying new approaches in their work
• Not be afraid to ask questions, accept and seek out challenges, and be willing to enrich the learning experience of peers

Program components:

Individual mentoring (4 hours per month)

Emerging leaders are individually paired with an established nonprofit leader for up to four hours per month of mentoring for one year. Mentoring opportunities may take the form of:

• Observations, site visits or other “shadow” activities
• Focused coaching, role playing, or career advising
• Informal conversation
• Coaching around self-assessment and skill building

Monthly peer meetings (2 hours per month)

Mentees meet monthly with RIF staff to share learnings and reflect on personal leadership growth with peers. In-person meetings are generally held on the 3rd or 4th Wednesday of each month from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Important dates:

• Applications open on June 20, 2022.
• Applications deadline is July 29, 2022.
• A brief interview will be conducted between August 15-19, 2022.
• An opening retreat will be held on September 28, 2022.
• Opening luncheon with mentors will be held on September 29, 2022.

Interested candidates should complete a written application here.