Community Foundation, Union Graduate College Team Up to Present

Non-Profit Leadership Development Institute

The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region and Union Graduate College have joined efforts to present the Non-Profit Leadership Development Institute, a program in which non-profit leaders meet monthly to explore common issues, share ideas and develop organizational partnerships.

“When you join a non-profit staff or board, there’s a great deal of passion,” said Laura Schweitzer, President, Union Graduate College. “The Leadership Development Institute helps build the management skills to accompany that passion.”

The creation of the Non-Profit Leadership Development Institute emerged during the development of Union Graduate College’s Robb Center for Principled Leadership.

“We interviewed local philanthropists and leaders and asked them what kind of programming they thought was needed,” said Schweitzer. “We heard clearly that there was a need for developing the management capacity of nonprofit leaders.”

Each year, the Non-Profit Leadership Development Institute brings together 20-30 leaders from a single industry. The 2013 Leadership Development Institute class comprises leaders from arts organizations including:

·         Empire State Youth Orchestra

·         The Linda—WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio

·         Proctors

·         Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci)

·         Capital Repertory Theatre

·         Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

“This has been a true partnership with the Community Foundation,” continued Schweitzer. “Because of their relationships with nonprofits, the Community Foundation has been able to recommend participants, and help identify projects and goals.”

“Supporting this program was a natural fit for the Community Foundation,” said Karen Bilowith, President and CEO, the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. “In addition to ensuring the needs of our community are met and serving as a philanthropic partner to our region’s donors, we are committed to strengthening our area’s non-profit organizations. Union Graduate College and the Non-Profit Leadership Development Institute are building a stronger, better community by helping our non-profit leaders work together.”

“Over the course of the program, participants identify their mission, services and audiences, and explore the entire process of staffing, promoting, producing and evaluating arts events,” said Mel Chudzik, Dean Emeritus, Union Graduate College. “The feedback we’ve received is that this process helps them understand their sister organizations and break down barriers to communication and collaboration. In many cases, they hadn’t understood the ways in which they could work together, and this program helps them with that process.”

“Pulling professionals together in this way is very beneficial,” said 2013 participant Sara Torrey, Development and Marketing Specialist for the Empire State Youth Orchestra. “Larger organizations can help smaller organizations, smaller organizations can bring a new mindset to larger ones. The fact that it’s all done in the spirit of collaboration means that we’re able to get to know our compatriots in the industry and share concerns and successes. Because of this program, I’m having conversations now that I wouldn’t have had a year ago.”

“The participants in this program are very hardworking, very busy and often under-resourced people,” said Schweitzer. “They see the ability to take time each month to meet and learn as a gift. When they leave sessions, they thank us. We’re very grateful to the Community Foundation and our other partners for the ability to offer this program. We’re doing good work, and our partnership with the Community Foundation has made that possible.”

Photo above: Members of the 2013 Non-Profit Leadership Development Institute at Union Graduate College.

For more information about the program, contact the Office of the President, Union Graduate College at: 518-631-9840 or president@mail.uniongraduatecollege.edu

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