The Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) is a national capacity building organization that offers a suite of resources in nonprofit leadership development. In 2022, our regional partners with the Nonprofit Support Group helped to launch INP programming in the Western NY area with the Core Certificate Program for established nonprofit executives and the RISE Program for early career leaders.  As part of the inaugural WNY program launch, The Capacity Lab invested in 8 nonprofit leaders from Chautauqua County to participate in the Core Certificate program. 

The Core Certificate Program is aimed at established nonprofit leaders, who are looking to deepen their understanding and elevate their organizational and community impact. The 7-month program is a regional peer cohort that includes weekly 2-hour management and practice seminars delivered by nationally-ranked, expert instructors, topics include financial management, governance and leveraging your board, strategy, growth and evaluation, team development, organizational culture and change management, marketing and communications, fundraising strategies, appreciative inquiry, and mindfulness and self-care.

The RISE Program is designed for early career leaders. This is a 6-month national peer cohort that generally meets every three weeks for a full day session. Participants gain an understanding of how mission-driven, social impact organizations function, develop essential leadership and professional skills, and engage in mentoring relationships and networking. 

Recruitment for the Core and RISE leadership cohort programs is ongoing. Contact Noah Goodling, Project Director at ngoodling@thecapacitylab.org for more information on the INP application process and timeline.

• The Core program typically runs from October through early May; priority applications for the Fall 2025- Spring 2026 cohort will open in December 2024.

• The RISE program runs January through June; applications for the 2025 cohort are now open and being accepted through November 8, 2024.