Community Leadership Program Now Accepting Proposals from Non-profits for Community Engagement Projects

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is seeking proposals for its Community Leadership Program class projects. Each year, the Community Leadership Program partners with local nonprofit organizations on projects that provide meaningful leadership development opportunities for Community Leadership Program participants and help local non-profit organizations address critical organizational and community needs.

Non-profit organizations may submit a proposal to be considered as a class project partner. Proposals are encouraged to present goals that address organizational and community issues that need problem solving, program development, or other involvement that requires creative thinking from a variety of individual perspectives. Up to five projects will be selected and 10 – 14 class members will be dedicated to each project throughout the nine-month Community Leadership Program.

“The class projects help non-profit agencies solve complex issues they face every day at their organizations. This focus encourages class members to fine-tune their leadership skills, which benefits them, the non-profits, and our community. Last year, class participants contributed more than 1300 hours to their project partners and the issues they champion,” says Amy Jennings, Leadership Institute Executive Director.

Class Project Chair, Matt Unger, added, “As someone who works in non-profit management, I see the value Community Leadership Program class members bring to an organization. Essentially, a group of talented, engaged, passionate leaders are offering nine months of free consulting services to help solve problems an organization may not have time or money to address. That alone is worth its weight in gold.”

There will be a question and answer session for interested nonprofit organizations on Monday, Aug.1, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. at the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Nonprofit organization leaders who are considering proposal submission are asked to attend this session to better understand all project requirements.

The project proposal must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. More details, including full requirements, the RFP form, and additional examples of class projects may be viewed at gdmli.com/classprojects. 

Questions can be directed to Amy Jennings, executive director, at director@gdmli.com or (515) 286-4980. 

About the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute

The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute is Central Iowa’s premier community leadership development organization.  Through community-wide education and service projects, the Leadership Institute develops, connects, inspires, and challenges community leaders to greater public awareness, commitment, and involvement to improve the overall quality of life in our community.  Since 1982, more than 2,000 leaders have graduated from the Leadership Institute’s programs.  Learn about the Leadership Institute by visiting gdmli.com.