Thank you for your enthusiastic responses to and support for the Leading from Strength Initiative. Your active participation providing insights and ideas have helped shape crucial elements of this innovative proof-of-concept project. We're thankful for you and thrilled that we’ve been able to launch six of the seven LFS programs this year.

Three of the six programs – Thrive (staff wellness), Convene (an in-person gathering of a cohort), and Exchange (travel support for site visits) – are noncompetitive, meaning every network member will receive funding. Essentially, the only thing you need to do is apply! NCN staff are processing these applications and issuing awards. That’s why funds are already flowing to network members who have applied.

There is a fast-approaching registration deadline of December 15 to receive complimentary hotel accommodations, onsite meals, and a travel stipend to attend the Convene program for CEOs and Executive Directors. Register now.

The first funding session for the Grow and Innovate programs is wrapping up. We'll be sending award notifications on December 15. Therefore, we thought it important to share this update on the process used for determining the Grow and Innovate awards.

Deciding who should receive funding from the three competitive programs – Grow (matching funds to add an FTE), Innovate (develop replicable programs), and Consult (hire a consultant for in-depth work) – requires judgement in (1) assessing compliance with the posted standards for each program and (2) comparing and ranking competing proposals. 

With your nominations this summer, we assembled a dedicated six-person independent Review Committee composed of network members and sector experts familiar with our unique network. By including network members in the decision-making process, we ensured that insights from those who have great familiarity with the operations of a state association could help the selection process. This hybrid approach, drawing from trust-based grantmaking and participatory philanthropy, strengthens the initiative and promotes a fair and equitable assessment of applications. (Your wonderful feedback at some of the preview sessions we held earlier this year helped point us in this direction, so thank you!)

Two important items merit your attention. First, we – collectively – owe much gratitude to the six individuals serving on the Review Committee. They are doing so for the good of the network, operating separate from NCN staff to make quality, independent decisions.

Second, we have imposed a strict policy requiring complete recusal if a Review Committee member works for a state association that has submitted a proposal for a competitive program. Thus, not only may they not score the proposal from their employer, but also – to avoid even the appearance of bias or impropriety – they cannot score any of the proposals in that program.

The following illustration provides a step-by-step look at the process for reviewing Grow and Innovate program applications:

The LFS Convene program will bring CEOs and Executive Directors together for 2.5 days at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, March 20-22, 2024. 

URGENT: You MUST register by December 15, 2023 to receive complimentary hotel accommodation and a travel stipend. 

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