PLEASE NOTE! We are not currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Fellowship. Please check back for updates in fall 2011.

The Nonprofit Roundtable announced the second class of the Future Executive Directors Fellowship at our June 22 Annual Meeting.

These 25 emerging nonprofit leaders represent the diversity of our region – from Ward 8 in Washington, DC to Montgomery County and Northern Virginia, and from direct service nonprofits to advocacy and grantmaking organizations.  Fellows were competitively selected and will participate in an intensive year-long leadership development program designed to prepare them for future leadership opportunities.

BACKGROUND: A 2009 Bridgespan Group report identified two of the top barriers to finding suitable nonprofit leaders: difficulty finding executives with specialized skills and lack of resources to find or cultivate new leaders. The Roundtable’s Future Executive Director Fellowship program addresses both of those issues by developing new talent for the nonprofit community. In 2008, the Roundtable launched the inaugural classof Future Executive Directors Fellows as the first program of this focus and intensity specifically for aspiring CEOs.  This Fellowship program’s impact is seen in part through the six Fellows from the first cohort of 25 who have already reached their goal of becoming a nonprofit executive director.

PRESS

• Chronicle of Philanthropy: May 16 Fellowship Gives Up-And-Coming Managers A Boost to Leadership
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In July 2008, the Nonprofit Roundtable 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

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.