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The Rhode Island Foundation is accepting applications for three comprehensive leadership development programs, offered in partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP), designed for professionals in the nonprofit, public and social enterprise sectors. The programs will help practitioners develop adaptive leadership, nonprofit governance, organizational management and fundraising skills.

Through this new partnership with INP, a national leadership development and capacity building organization that has served Rhode Island since 2016, individuals working in Rhode Island Foundation priority areas will be eligible to apply to participate in either INP's Core Certificate Program – designed for mid-career-to-executive-level professionals, such as nonprofit and public sector managers, directors and executives, and social entrepreneurs – or INP's RISE Program, designed for those who may be earlier in their careers.

"We are excited to partner with INP to deepen capacity building and leadership development opportunities for nonprofit organizations across the state. We are looking for highly motivated, mission-driven people who are passionate about social change and advancing equity," said David N. Cicilline, the Foundation's President and CEO.

“Our work at INP is grounded in the belief that the social sector’s most powerful driver of progress and impact is its people. Through this investment, the Rhode Island Foundation is ensuring that the state’s leaders will have access to the robust skills, tools, networks and community they need to address the growing challenges our communities are facing,” said INP President and CEO Yolanda Coentro. “We are deeply grateful to the Rhode Island Foundation for their tremendous commitment to social sector talent development and for helping us reach more leaders in the Ocean State.”

INP’s Core Certificate Program equips mid-level professionals, senior leaders and executives with the skills, knowledge and networks they need to make strategic, mission-driven decisions and generate meaningful change in their organizations and beyond.

Through this partnership, more than 20 mid-level leaders will be accepted to the Core Program and receive a certificate in Social Impact Management and Leadership. In addition, up to 10 applicants will be accepted to INP’s RISE Program, serving social impact and community leaders with approximately five or fewer years of work experience.

The Foundation also rolled out an enhanced version of its Equity Leadership Initiative (ELI), which was originally launched in 2021. Offered in partnership with INP, the new ELI+ Program is geared toward mid-career professionals who identify as people of color and are working in the nonprofit, public or social enterprise sectors.

ELI+ participants will be enrolled in INP’s Core Certificate Program and also work with facilitators, coaches, speakers and peers over six topic-focused, in-person, day-long leadership seminars and trainings at the Rhode Island Foundation.

“We are excited about this next phase of ELI+ and the enhancements we’ve made in response to feedback that surfaced as we assessed the Foundation’s work through more than a year of conducting surveys, focus groups and community gatherings,” said Cicilline.

“The new partnership with INP will strengthen and more closely align ELI+ outcomes with the needs of the nonprofit sector that we serve through our charitable giving, community investments, convenings, advocacy and capacity building,” he said.

All three programs will prioritize candidates from organizations that drive progress on issues associated with the Community Priorities identified in the Foundation's Five-Year Action Plan: Civic and Cultural Life, Climate Action and Sustainability, Education and Student Success, Healthy and Strong Communities, and Housing and Economic Mobility; guided by inclusiveness, accessibility, compassion, mutual respect and humility.

The deadline to apply for ELI+ or the Core Certificate Programs is April 25, while the deadline to apply for the RISE Program is May 9. For more information about applying, please visit rifoundation.org/programsandworkshops.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Through civic leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, together with partners and neighbors, the Foundation is helping to create progress that lasts.

The Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) equips the nation’s social impact leaders with the skills, resources, networks and confidence to boldly advance their organizations and missions, creating a more equitable future for all. Through a suite of comprehensive leadership development programs, alumni programming, thought leadership and community convenings, INP trains and connects executives, managers and emerging leaders nationwide to foster a more effective, connected and representative social impact sector. For more information, please visit nonprofitpractice.org.