One of the fundamental goals of The Capacity Lab is to find ways to identify, elevate, and retain talented leaders of all levels in the local nonprofit sector. We are always looking for opportunities to expose leaders to programs that can challenge viewpoints, promote critical thinking, develop leadership potential, and generally educate on best practices and real applications of nonprofit administration and success. We are fortunate to have regional partners that are looking to accomplish similar aims, with the Nonprofit Support Group (NSG), headquartered in Buffalo, being a leader in helping to establish programs along these lines.

In 2022, the NSG came to The Capacity Lab with information about a new program that they were looking to bring to Western New York, through an initiative spearheaded by the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation. It was a leadership curriculum, deployed in various programs to all levels of staff in the nonprofit sector, through an organization called the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, or INP.

INP was established in Boston in 2007 as a way to address chronic under-investments in nonprofit leadership, succession planning, diversity, community outreach, and other aspects of capacity-building. In the 15 years between their founding and their looking at building programs in WNY, INP has expanded from coast to coast, and to some major areas in-between, with thousands of nonprofit leaders going through their programs.

So, what does INP offer that nonprofit leaders in Chautauqua County can access? At the moment, there are two programs that are available, the RISE Fellowship and the Core Certificate.

About the RISE Fellowship Program

The RISE Fellowship is designed for early-career professionals (0-5 years of experience in the nonprofit sector), who are looking for leadership development opportunities to help define career goals and trajectories. Fellows participate in a cohort of peers from across the nation for monthly seminars, networking conversations, peer learning, and individualized coaching/mentoring sessions. Program participants can expect to walk away from the program with a network of dedicated professionals in a similar phase of work as they are, an expanded perspective on the nonprofit sector and on the administration of an organization, and a deep understanding of how to be an effective leader.

About the Core Certificate Program

The Core Certificate Program is aimed at established nonprofit managers/executives, who are looking to deepen their understanding of leadership and elevate their organizational and community impact. Participants will receive lessons from nationally-ranked instructors who are experts in the field of nonprofit leadership and management through weekly management and practice seminars. There will also be an opportunity to network and engage closely with a cohort of peers, who will help to untangle difficult problems and offer support. Upon graduation, participants will also gain access to a robust alumni network, across the nation, who will continue to offer guidance and support to those within the INP network.

We’d love to have you

Stay tuned—there are more offerings on the way! To be among the first to know, scroll down and sign up for our email newsletter.

The Capacity Lab has resources to help local organizations participate in any of INP’s offerings. If the RISE Fellowship Program or the Core Certificate Program sound like good fits for you or your staff, please reach out to Project Director Noah Goodling at ngoodling@thecapacitylab.org. We’re happy to help!