The Expanding Leadership Initiative (ELI) is a program of The Community Foundation to increase the number of people of color on staff and on boards in non-profit organizations and nurture multicultural leadership.

We would like to thank The Anthony H. Kruse Foundation for generously partnering with the Community Foundation to help us achieve this transformational change.  This partnership will involve the grant from the Anthony Kruse Foundation through the Expanding Leadership Initiative to support youth leadership development and the non-profit organizations that provide service to youth.  

The Expanding Leadership Initiative Advisory Committee is excited to introduce three new programs: Youth Leadership Development Grants, Community Impact Internship Program, and Matching Inclusiveness Minigrant.

Youth Leadership Development Grants

The Expanding Leadership Initiative will provide grants to non-profit organizations serving a diverse youth community to support multicultural leadership development opportunities.

Proposed projects should include and address:

1. Leadership skill development
2. Multicultural/diverse leadership styles
3. Community engagement/partnerships

Components of proposed projects are encouraged but not limited to include:

1. Scholarships for existing relevant training programs
2. Community and/or non-profit collaborations
3. Support for expansion of current leadership development
4. Extension of existing program

Youth Leadership Development Grants will be awarded by the Expanding Leadership Initiative in partnership with the Anthony H. Kruse Foundation. $15,000 in awards will be available in 2008. Grant proposal requests will be considered up to $3,000. Download the RFP.

Community Impact Internship Program

The Expanding Leadership Initiative will coordinate Community Impact Internships for youth of color (ages 16-25) to provide the opportunity for non-profit work experience. The program will provide an opportunity for social justice organizations to impart knowledge and experience while receiving help from tomorrow’s leaders.  It will also provide a 6 month non-profit job experience for local youth. Five organizations working on social justice issues will be selected to host Community Impact Interns under the advisement of the ELI Advisory Committee. Each organization will be asked to commit to proving intern oversight and overhead costs and an organizational contribution of $500 to receive a $1500 intern stipend grant. ELI will host group orientation and provide an evaluation for organizations and youth.

Community Impact Internships will be awarded by the Expanding Leadership Initiative in partnership with the Anthony H. Kruse Foundation. $7,500 will be awarded in 2008. Each organization will receive a $1,500 grant intern stipend. Download the RFP.

Matching Inclusiveness Minigrants

The Expanding Leadership Initiative Advisory Committee will provide non-profit organizations serving youth to enable them to take advantage of complementary resources that will support their move toward inclusiveness. Matching minigrants will be provided to support organizations doing cultural audits, inclusiveness training or consulting, anti-racism or anti-oppression training. Five organizations will be asked to commit $500 to receive a $500 grant. Selection will be through a grant process under the advisement of the ELI Advisory Committee.